Stuck in 4wd

[Big T]

On a road trip to Eastern Sierras. Was doing some offroading and now the '99 Burb is stuck in 4wd. It's got the push button ahift and the lights are out on all buttons. I checked Fuse 24 for 4wd and it's fine. Any other suggestions? We're 400 miles from home and need to make it home tomorrow.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

If the fuse is good, then chances are the switch went out.

 

[Big T]

I had previously lost 4 Lo, presumably to the switch. Everyone said to ignore it, you don't need it. I needed it today.

BTW the ATT is worthless when stuck in snow at 9,000'. The engine just blows a black cloud and generates no power or torque.

 

[trouttrooper]

Are you stuck in 4lo or 4hi.

If 4hi I think you can unplug the actuator on the front end and it will disengage. May need to go back and forth a little to release the binding tension. Then you're home free since your still in the high range.

Not sure what a temp fix would be for stuck in 4lo

 

[Big T]

It's stuck in 4 Hi. I will try unplugging the actuator.

If that fails, am I ok driving the 400 highway miles home? Nearest town with a dealership is Carson City, NV which is over an hour away in the wrong direction.

 

[Big T]

Got it unstuck.

Unplugged the actuator and drove it around. Lot of forward, reverse testing, but nothing. Check fuses again in the full morning light and everything was good. When I finally pulled into park, I noted the 4 HI button flashing. I pressed 2 Hi and it lit and I felt an unbinding. I drove it again and it was still in 4wd. I then reconnected the plug to the actuator and drove it, then it was out of 4wd.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

Are you stuck in 4lo or 4hi.

If 4hi I think you can unplug the actuator on the front end and it will disengage. May need to go back and forth a little to release the binding tension. Then you're home free since your still in the high range.

Not sure what a temp fix would be for stuck in 4lo

This only works on trucks with the thermal actuators. Trucks built mid year 97+ or trucks retrofitted with the new style actuator will stay locked in until the electric motor gets the trigger to unlock. I would have just unbolted the front driveshaft and drove it home with it out.

 

[trouttrooper]

This only works on trucks with the thermal actuators. Trucks built mid year 97+ or trucks retrofitted with the new style actuator will stay locked in until the electric motor gets the trigger to unlock. I would have just unbolted the front driveshaft and drove it home with it out.

That's why I started with "I think" I never dealt with a non thermal truck of that era. Went from '84 to '95 to '99NBS.

 

[Burning oil]

Thats good you got it out of 4x4.
As far as the turbo, this may sound dumb and Im just thinking along the lines of a "field expedient" repair. So here gos, could you stick a potatoe up the tail pipe blocking most of the exhaust so turbo will spool up?
Flame on :firedevil:

 

[Big T]

Made it home with no further issues. I did not dare to touch the 4wd button.

So where is this switch for the 4wd? Dealer part?

 

[colbythekid]

:nopics:

Colby

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

The switch is the switch in the dash. GM had a bulletin out about the dash switches in the 96-99 trucks and BURBS failing and them just flashing instead of shifting. Also with the age of these trucks were starting to see quite a few encoder motor problems where it doesn't tell the transfer case controller if the transfer case is in the correct range or not.

 

[Big T]

The switch is the switch in the dash. GM had a bulletin out about the dash switches in the 96-99 trucks and BURBS failing and them just flashing instead of shifting. Also with the age of these trucks were starting to see quite a few encoder motor problems where it doesn't tell the transfer case controller if the transfer case is in the correct range or not.

So does that mean I need to pull the dash to replace it?

 

[WarWagon]

Thats good you got it out of 4x4.
As far as the turbo, this may sound dumb and Im just thinking along the lines of a "field expedient" repair. So here gos, could you stick a potatoe up the tail pipe blocking most of the exhaust so turbo will spool up?
Flame on :firedevil:

That would be a BD potato...
http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/showthread.php?39049-Keep-an-eye-open
Hopefully the ATT will get this built in soon. There are all kinds of clearance issues with BD on a 95 burb.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

So does that mean I need to pull the dash to replace it?

It's just the switch in the dash. You can use a small screwdriver and pop it out IIRC. Worst case scenario is you pop the bezel off around the speedo and take it out that way as it mounts to that pop in bezel.

 

[Big T]

:nopics:

Colby

:iagree:

Wife loves these adventures:

High centered the rear axle and pushed a berm in front of front axle. Way too much to dig out.

Note the exhaust plume on the snow off to the right and that the snow area was not very big and we were not very far into it:

These trips are as much for the dogs as they are for us. Webley (black/white) starts to whine with a trill when we go off roading. Coventry (liver/white) stands watch for deer on the console between the front seats.

And a little Ansel Adams treat:

 

[Big T]

The switch is the switch in the dash. GM had a bulletin out about the dash switches in the 96-99 trucks and BURBS failing and them just flashing instead of shifting. Also with the age of these trucks were starting to see quite a few encoder motor problems where it doesn't tell the transfer case controller if the transfer case is in the correct range or not.

Can you post a link to the Service Bulletin?