96 tahoe 4x4 not engaging the front wheels and the light in the dashboard for the 4x4 does not come on ethier but the transfer case does feel like in 4x4 mode

It can be faulty 4x4 wd switch.

4X4

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

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4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

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Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

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No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

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4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

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4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

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2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

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Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

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4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

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2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

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4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

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4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

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Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

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Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

The truck is telling you that there is a problem with the 4x4 system and the 4x4 should not be available for use. the system is extensive so it can be anything from a wheel speed sensor to a transfer case ring gear. the good news is that if its not a check engine light it shouldn't cause a brake down. i would find a good auto shop and have them use whats called a modis scan tool and find out why the light is on.

If I read this correctly ( which I might not have, bit early for me ), the front drive shaft will engage ( from the transfer case ) but the front wheels are not engaged ?

If so, sounds like either the vacuum from the IWE ( Integrated Wheel End ) is not being released, or the IWEs have had an issue with part vacuum ( damage vacuum lines ) and the IWE gear is rounded off.

If you pull the vacuum lines at the IWEs ( there are 2 lines, 1 is the vacuum line, the other is the vent tube that routes up into the engine compartment and is not attached to anything ), the front wheel should engage ( might need a 5 * turn to mesh the gears ). With the vacuum lines off, jack up the front axle ( take precautions, chock the rear wheels, parking brake, jack stands, etc ) see if the front wheels are engaged ( turning one wheel should turn the other ). The option is to do this after the truck has sat over night, and the vacuum has been released out of the vacuum reservoir.

If the wheels turn correctly ( engaged ) I would think the contact plates in the transfer case are not making contact. Good starting point for this is the connector on the side of the transfer case, some times this gets gummed up, and the pins do not make good contact. The contact plates in the transfer case are used for a few things, one of them is to signal the IWE solenoids to release vacuum to the IWEs.

Operationally vacuum holds the IWE ( Integrated Wheel Ends ) out, and once vacuum is removed the spring engages the IWE.

Here is a black diagram of the IWE vacuum system

The system is electric and it sounds like the actuator on the front axle is bad.

Are they vacum operated or you have to lock it in by hand.

check switch or sensor on transfer case

the motor on the back of the transfer case may be stuck knock on the motor lightly with a hammer when switching the the switch May need a motor

Front hubs need to be taken off and inspected for damage,
Replace as necessary.

I have to stop, engage 4H or 4L, and shift into nuetral and then the front gear box will then engage and you can hear it from nuetral and the engine at idle, it will slip into gear, if not, in gear go slow with 4x4 light "on" and while rolling slip into nuetral and then back into D, Some transfer cases will not engage in Overdrive, the D with a circle around it so shift into 3rd gear the one to the right of the D with a circle around it. 4 H has a speed limit, and do not shift into 4L while on pavement or you can do some damage.

Sounds like the front axle electric actuator is bad. these are mounted on the front differential housing. they are known to go bad.