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Posted on Jul 02, 2017
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I removed the 4wd actuator on my 1997 1500 gmc located on the front differential and pressed the 4wd hi button in the cab. The actuator traveled out. I then pushed the device inside the differential housing and wiggled the driveshaft until the spring loaded device moved inward an inch or so. I then pressed the 2 wd button and the actuator retracted. I put the actuator back in and pressed the 4 wd hi button but still no 4 wd. Need help.

1 Answer

Bill Boyd

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  • GMC Master 53,816 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 02, 2017
Bill Boyd
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Joined: Jan 04, 2013
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4wd actuators are in the transfer case not the diff housing
on a diff housing it is more likely to be a diff lock to lock the 2 front wheels together

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 12 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 27, 2008

SOURCE: Chevy Tahoe 2001

Place vehicle in 4wd (high or low). This will hold the front drive shaft still for the rest of the test. Jack up the front end of the vehicle. Remove the actuator. Have a buddy spin the right front wheel while you use a long punch or screwdriver to try to manually engage the diff. The left front wheel should spin in the other direction if the diff is good. Also before you check the diff you need to grab the front driveshaft and make sure it is locked, If it spins freely when the truck is in park and in 4wd with the front end raised then problem is in transfer case. If you can't make the diff engage manually with punch then the problem is in the diff. If front diff engages manually then the problem is the actuator. Hope this helps..

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 28, 2008

SOURCE: Front wheels do not turn

I did run the vehicle on the lift in 4wd. The actuator is trying to engage. I removed the right side axle housing and found the shim on the end of the shaft had fallen out of place. The small roller bearing in the shaft was damaged as well. This may have happended on a previous axle seal replacement. A new shim, and bearing fixed the problem. Thanks for our reply

Anonymous

  • 5 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 29, 2008

SOURCE: Rear differential driveshaft seal leak.

Hello,you need to remove driveshaft to be able to get to the nut.Remove the nut (MAY BE VERY TIGHT) and pull the yoke or flange as you called it out & you can pop old seal out & new seal in.You may want to smear a tiny bit of grease or vasoline on outside of seal for easier installation & also on the rubber part of seal so itwon't get damaged when you re-install the yoke.Hope this helps.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Feb 04, 2009

SOURCE: 4 WD clunking and clicking sound when turning left or right

Sounds like the front drive axles are worn.My 89 MPV had the same "clicling" noise with an occasional clunk.The reason you feel it more in 4wd mode is because power is now being transfered thru the worn axles. I replaced both sides for approx $375(Axles rebuilt were 130 for drivers side and 110 for passenger side the rest was labor)

Molson02536

Harvey N Tawatao

  • 3854 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 03, 2010

SOURCE: I have a 2002 Chevy

Fuse is located at the end of eh dash on drivers side and the Actuator is located at the front differential and on the passenger side.
When in 4wd mode, a switch on top of the transfer case conducts 12 volts out to the actuator. Wire #50 (brown) is the 12v feed, and it conducts to the light blue wire (#900) to the actuator.
When shifted out of 4wd, the switch opens up and no voltage goes to the actuator.

Check voltage at the connector for the front actuator (at the front differential - it looks like a large bullet that threads into the front diff.) If it has 12 volts, the actuator is the problem. If it does not have 12 volts, check the transfer case switch and the power feed to the transfer case.

I'll assume it is the actuator, if the plug to the actuator is getting 12 volts when in 4wd.
The way this actuator works, is it is a sealed chamber that gets heated by voltage. When it heats, the pin in the end swells and pushes a shift fork in the front differential. The shift fork engages a spline on the passenger side of the differential, and boom! you have 4WD.

GM offered an upgrade to this actuator that is a motor instead of a heated device. However, it requires a small harness addition, a spacer, and a new actuator. It is about a $150 to $200 option.

Good luck. The actuator is usually the problem 90% of time but recheck all of the wire harness just to maker sure there is no short before replacing any parts. The actuator may not be fully engaged or disengaged and the fork to the spline may be what is causing the grinding.

88-UP C/K ACTUATOR UPGRADE
VEHICLE SERVICED: 88-99 CHEVROLET FULL SIZE
PURPOSE: IMPROVE AXLE CONNECT ENGAGEMENT TIME AND
COMPONENT RELIABILITY.

SYMPTOMS: NO FRONT DRIVE AXLE ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTED INTO 4X4.

Obtain the following GM part numbers:
(1) 26060073 Actuator
(1) 88959465 Harness/Spacer Kit

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1990 GMC suburban actuator and fuse location. There is not one on front differential and no place for fuse in fuse block. 4 wheel will not engage. No owners manual

The actuator will not be on the front differential or drive line, it will be on the transfer case, which is mounted behind the transmission. Follow the front drive shaft back from the front differential, and the component at the rear of the driveshaft is the transfer case. That is where four wheel drive is engaged/disengaged.
I'm not familiar with your vehicle, but if you have a separate lever to engage 4wd, there will not be a fuse for the actuator - it is a manual system. If the 4wd is selected electrically, check that all wiring and connectors on the transfer case are in good condition.
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Could be a bad dash switch but Envoy's and Chevy Trailblazers are notorious for bad 4wd actuators, which are located on the right side of the front differential. There is an electrical box that moves the shaft back and forth to engage the 4wd when you push the button inside. Look for a black box on the front axle with a wire going into it. Check that the plug is clean, apply a light coat of dielectric grease(available at most auto parts stores at the counter in a little packet) and plug it back in. If that doesn't work I would see a mechanic and get a professional dianoses.
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My 4 wheel drive switch flashed from 2wd to 4wd than went out. Will not operate into 4wd.

Most likely the actuator located on the front differential is stuck, or inoperable. Hope this helps. TJ
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I would like to upgrade from the present vaccuum 4wd actuator to electric solenoid set up for my 2001 s10 blazer. Who sells this?

There is no electric solenoid set up for the S10's, the upgrade was for the full size SUV's from the early 88 to 98 that had a thermal actuator. There is a mechanical system that is made for the S10's but it requires drilling a hole through your fire wall, running a cable into your cab and mounting the cable lock somewhere under your dash for easy access to lock in your differential.
I had the same problem and i just locked up my front differential all the time, it's been like that now for over 10 years without any issues. The transfer case is not locked up so your front axle is still not synced with your rear axle and is still free to rotate at a different speed then the rear. Just make sure you service the front differential like your suppose to and you should be fine on running with the front differential locked.
Thank you for using fixya and check to make sure that there is no cracks i your vacuum line that is keeping your front actuator from functioning or a failed vacuum switch on top of the transfer case.
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Four wheel drine willnot work front end making noise

Fuse is located at the end of eh dash on drivers side and the Actuator is located at the front differential and on the passenger side.
When in 4wd mode, a switch on top of the transfer case conducts 12 volts out to the actuator. Wire #50 (brown) is the 12v feed, and it conducts to the light blue wire (#900) to the actuator.
When shifted out of 4wd, the switch opens up and no voltage goes to the actuator.

Check voltage at the connector for the front actuator (at the front differential - it looks like a large bullet that threads into the front diff.) If it has 12 volts, the actuator is the problem. If it does not have 12 volts, check the transfer case switch and the power feed to the transfer case.

I'll assume it is the actuator, if the plug to the actuator is getting 12 volts when in 4wd.
The way this actuator works, is it is a sealed chamber that gets heated by voltage. When it heats, the pin in the end swells and pushes a shift fork in the front differential. The shift fork engages a spline on the passenger side of the differential, and boom! you have 4WD.

GM offered an upgrade to this actuator that is a motor instead of a heated device. However, it requires a small harness addition, a spacer, and a new actuator. It is about a $150 to $200 option.

Good luck. The actuator is usually the problem 90% of time but recheck all of the wire harness just to maker sure there is no short before replacing any parts. The actuator may not be fully engaged or disengaged and the fork to the spline may be what is causing the grinding.

88-UP C/K ACTUATOR UPGRADE
VEHICLE SERVICED: 88-99 CHEVROLET FULL SIZE
PURPOSE: IMPROVE AXLE CONNECT ENGAGEMENT TIME AND
COMPONENT RELIABILITY.

SYMPTOMS: NO FRONT DRIVE AXLE ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTED INTO 4X4.

Obtain the following GM part numbers:
(1) 26060073 Actuator
(1) 88959465 Harness/Spacer Kit
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I have a 2001 GMC Sierra Pickup that has electronic 4WD that will not engage. If you press the buttons to enter from 2HI to 4HI, 4LO, Etc. the choice of the button changes (lights up) but the truck does...

fullyjr.

Engaging from 2WD - 4HI/Lo requires movement of the vehicle. very low speed under 5mph, push button should engage. the vehicle has to be moving.
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I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado 8 cylinder 4wd extended cab. It has the push button shifter for 4wd. When I try to use 4WD Auto or 4WD Hi, the indicator lights come on but the 4wd does not engage. I read...

Fuse is located at the end of eh dash on drivers side and the Actuator is located at the front differential and on the passenger side.
When in 4wd mode, a switch on top of the transfer case conducts 12 volts out to the actuator. Wire #50 (brown) is the 12v feed, and it conducts to the light blue wire (#900) to the actuator.
When shifted out of 4wd, the switch opens up and no voltage goes to the actuator.

Check voltage at the connector for the front actuator (at the front differential - it looks like a large bullet that threads into the front diff.) If it has 12 volts, the actuator is the problem. If it does not have 12 volts, check the transfer case switch and the power feed to the transfer case.

I'll assume it is the actuator, if the plug to the actuator is getting 12 volts when in 4wd.
The way this actuator works, is it is a sealed chamber that gets heated by voltage. When it heats, the pin in the end swells and pushes a shift fork in the front differential. The shift fork engages a spline on the passenger side of the differential, and boom! you have 4WD.

GM offered an upgrade to this actuator that is a motor instead of a heated device. However, it requires a small harness addition, a spacer, and a new actuator. It is about a $150 to $200 option.

Good luck. The actuator is usually the problem 90% of time but recheck all of the wire harness just to maker sure there is no short before replacing any parts. The actuator may not be fully engaged or disengaged and the fork to the spline may be what is causing the grinding.

88-UP C/K ACTUATOR UPGRADE
VEHICLE SERVICED: 88-99 CHEVROLET FULL SIZE
PURPOSE: IMPROVE AXLE CONNECT ENGAGEMENT TIME AND
COMPONENT RELIABILITY.

SYMPTOMS: NO FRONT DRIVE AXLE ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTED INTO 4X4.

Obtain the following GM part numbers:
(1) 26060073 Actuator
(1) 88959465 Harness/Spacer Kit
3helpful
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Had 2001 GMC Sierra in 4WD Auto and went to put in 4 hi. then Service 4WD light came on and selector wouldn't let me select anything and the truck stayed in 2 hi.

On the full size, the front actuator is electric, not vacuum.

When in 4wd mode, a switch on top of the transfer case conducts 12 volts out to the actuator. Wire #50 (brown) is the 12v feed, and it conducts to the light blue wire (#900) to the actuator.
When shifted out of 4wd, the switch opens up and no voltage goes to the actuator.

Check voltage at the connector for the front actuator (at the front differential - it looks like a large bullet that threads into the front diff.) If it has 12 volts, the actuator is the problem. If it does not have 12 volts, check the transfer case switch and the power feed to the transfer case.

I'll assume it is the actuator, if the plug to the actuator is getting 12 volts when in 4wd.
The way this actuator works, is it is a sealed chamber that gets heated by voltage. When it heats, the pin in the end swells and pushes a shift fork in the front differential. The shift fork engages a spline on the passenger side of the differential, and boom! you have 4WD.

GM offered an upgrade to this actuator that is a motor instead of a heated device. However, it requires a small harness addition, a spacer, and a new actuator. It is about a $150 to $200 option.

Good luck. The actuator is usually the problem 90% of time but recheck all of the wire harness just to maker sure there is no short before replacing any parts.
2helpful
1answer

CHECK 4WD WARNING CAME ON. AFTER TURNING ENGINE

On the full size, the front actuator is electric, not vacuum.

When in 4wd mode, a switch on top of the transfer case conducts 12 volts out to the actuator. Wire #50 (brown) is the 12v feed, and it conducts to the light blue wire (#900) to the actuator.
When shifted out of 4wd, the switch opens up and no voltage goes to the actuator.

Check voltage at the connector for the front actuator (at the front differential - it looks like a large bullet that threads into the front diff.) If it has 12 volts, the actuator is the problem. If it does not have 12 volts, check the transfer case switch and the power feed to the transfer case.

I'll assume it is the actuator, if the plug to the actuator is getting 12 volts when in 4wd.
The way this actuator works, is it is a sealed chamber that gets heated by voltage. When it heats, the pin in the end swells and pushes a shift fork in the front differential. The shift fork engages a spline on the passenger side of the differential, and boom! you have 4WD.

GM offered an upgrade to this actuator that is a motor instead of a heated device. However, it requires a small harness addition, a spacer, and a new actuator. It is about a $150 to $200 option.

Good luck. The actuator is usually the problem 90% of time but recheck all of the wire harness just to maker sure there is no short before replacing any parts.
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