97 Suburban - transfer case will not shift

[v8_ranch]

Vehicle is 97 Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 with 350 Vortec. 200,000 miles and tranny rebuilt at 115,000

For about the last 4-5 months, my transfer case selector switch does not light up and no shifting occurs with any button depressed (luckily, vehicle is at least in 2HI). Replaced the switch as I found one cheap - no change. When key turned to ON, the 2HI light comes on and then goes out a couple of seconds later. After that, no lights or anything. I found this thread tonight (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=725584)

I tried the fuse replacement and no help for me unfortunately. I have been worried that is it coming down to the transfer case drive motor, but hoping it might still be something less costly. Any ideas on what else I can check?

Thank you,
Shane

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

Vehicle is 97 Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4 with 350 Vortec. 200,000 miles and tranny rebuilt at 115,000

For about the last 4-5 months, my transfer case selector switch does not light up and no shifting occurs with any button depressed (luckily, vehicle is at least in 2HI). Replaced the switch as I found one cheap - no change. When key turned to ON, the 2HI light comes on and then goes out a couple of seconds later. After that, no lights or anything. I found this thread tonight (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=725584)

I tried the fuse replacement and no help for me unfortunately. I have been worried that is it coming down to the transfer case drive motor, but hoping it might still be something less costly. Any ideas on what else I can check?

Thank you,
Shane

I don't know for sure on a 1997 , but on the 1999 on up when this occurs and at your mileage this usually means at the minimun a bad encoder motor...ya it could be wires shorted and all of that in addition to the motor..

If you get DTC I can give you better facts..on what it is..

[v8_ranch]

Originally Posted by j cAT

I don't know for sure on a 1997 , but on the 1999 on up when this occurs and at your mileage this usually means at the minimun a bad encoder motor...ya it could be wires shorted and all of that in addition to the motor..

If you get DTC I can give you better facts..on what it is..

What is DTC and how do I get it?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

What is DTC and how do I get it?

a oem dealer can pull these as well as any repair shop that has a scanner that can read these manufacturer specific codes for the drive train. call and ask first if they can and how much to pull this code info..

[777stickman]

Shane:

DTC=Diagnostic Trouble Code and as stated only a scan tool that can access the Transfer Case Control Module will pull the codes. Over the counter code readers do not have that capability.

By the way, how many buttons are on your T-Case switch panel and how are they labeled?

The most likely cause is the t-case motor, but without the DTC's it would be a shot in the dark.

[v8_ranch]

Originally Posted by 777stickman

Shane:

DTC=Diagnostic Trouble Code and as stated only a scan tool that can access the Transfer Case Control Module will pull the codes. Over the counter code readers do not have that capability.

By the way, how many buttons are on your T-Case switch panel and how are they labeled?

The most likely cause is the t-case motor, but without the DTC's it would be a shot in the dark.

On my switch panel, there are 3 buttons: 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO.

Yesterday, after having the battery disconnected for some other work, I hooked everything back up an turned the key on and all 3 switch panel lights came on for a few seconds and then turned off.

No secret handshake McGuyver method of checking the codes eh... I guess I will see if I can find a sho; to help me out. Most around here charge $70 just to hook up the scan tool.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

On my switch panel, there are 3 buttons: 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO.

Yesterday, after having the battery disconnected for some other work, I hooked everything back up an turned the key on and all 3 switch panel lights came on for a few seconds and then turned off.

No secret handshake McGuyver method of checking the codes eh... I guess I will see if I can find a sho; to help me out. Most around here charge $70 just to hook up the scan tool.

Here is a 70$ tip on gettingn codes.

To get codes on that one ground pin 13 on diagnostic connect and count the shift button blinks.

The only have codes 1-4.
Post back code no.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

On my switch panel, there are 3 buttons: 2HI, 4HI, and 4LO.

Yesterday, after having the battery disconnected for some other work, I hooked everything back up an turned the key on and all 3 switch panel lights came on for a few seconds and then turned off.

No secret handshake McGuyver method of checking the codes eh... I guess I will see if I can find a sho; to help me out. Most around here charge $70 just to hook up the scan tool.

this cost of code reading WILL be the least expensive part of the repair...knowing the problem area is best known before repairs/parts are started.

If you have good mechanical skills this job is not very difficult..also there are motors available on line for a much lower price than the dealer...

[v8_ranch]

Thanks guys. I was just thinking I had read somewhere before that these codes could be checked somehow without the scanner, like MT brought up. My only question though is for verification: when you say ground pin 13, you are talking about where the OBD scanner hooks up, or somewhere else?

Thanks again for the help. If I am going to have to replace the motor, I would rather put the $70 towards that if possible.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

Thanks guys. I was just thinking I had read somewhere before that these codes could be checked somehow without the scanner, like MT brought up. My only question though is for verification: when you say ground pin 13, you are talking about where the OBD scanner hooks up, or somewhere else?

Thanks again for the help. If I am going to have to replace the motor, I would rather put the $70 towards that if possible.

Pin 13 in link below.
http://www.troublecodes.net/OBD2/

Ground it and flip key on and count blinks and save 70$
Post back code.
Good luck

[MT-2500]

All 3 button lights should blik together
If no codes button lights will blink one time and quit.

If code the shift buttons will blink code and the after a 3 second pause blink the code or codes again and again.

[v8_ranch]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

All 3 button lights should blik together
If no codes button lights will blink one time and quit.

If code the shift buttons will blink code and the after a 3 second pause blink the code or codes again and again.

I made an assumption off the link you sent me that I could ground pin 13 to pin 4 (chassis ground). Assuming that is good assumption, it appears I am getting no codes. All 3 lights came on, stayed on for maybe 3 seconds, and then go off and stay off. Did I make the correct assumption on the ground pin?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

I made an assumption off the link you sent me that I could ground pin 13 to pin 4 (chassis ground). Assuming that is good assumption, it appears I am getting no codes. All 3 lights came on, stayed on for maybe 3 seconds, and then go off and stay off. Did I make the correct assumption on the ground pin?

Yes
Sounds like no Codes.
Back to the drawing board.
Good Luck

[v8_ranch]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Yes
Sounds like no Codes.
Back to the drawing board.
Good Luck

if no codes, could it still be the motor? Does the fact that there are no codes tell me anything good about this situation?

[MT-2500]

Very well could the motor or maybe be.
But could be wiring or shift buttons or power or ground problem.
But with no codes.
To be sure you need to do some proper testing.
A good factory service manual or a All data online sub will take you threw the proper test.
26.95$ US plastic and 10 minutes and you will be set to go on testing with a one year one car online sub setup.
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

To be for sure run the test as outined in service manual.
Good Luck