GMC 4x4 light blinking ?

[Stumblinman]

1996 GMC Z71 1500? the 4x4 light blinks when pushed and doesn't engage the front axle. The Tcase engages (can't turn front drive shaft) I checked the fuses and all are good. Does anyone know what the deal is with this? I figured it was the actuator for the axle. If so this is an easy fix, right?

Any input will be helpful
Thanks

[justimpact]

check for vacuum leaks at front axle actuator connectors and 4x4 actuator solenoid
if not an vacuum actuated sys. make sure you have good power and grounds at shift solenoid if good you may need new shift solenoid or you may have a worn shift fork in the front axle not alowing full engagement hope it helps

[Stumblinman]

Argh no vacuum set up that I can see. It looks all electric as far as I can tell. The connections look good, no corrosion. I looked the acutator up on partsamerica.com and it's a $200 part only avail. online. But I called up Schmuck's and they say they should have it for around $100. The price doesn't matter but now I'm kinda not wanting to throw any part up in it. And there are no bolts on it!!! I really don't have the facilities to rebuild a front axle now. Unless it's easy :) This isn't my truck. I am helping out a spouse of a deployed soldier. It started out as a simple brake job until her 4x4 went out today.
Thanks

[Stumblinman]

OK So I told her to buy a book on it. After searching through the Chiltons cover to cover and reading the whole index there's nothing written about it. The only place I've found it mentioned is in a little diagram for the K-series calling it a thermal switch and the bad part is it looks like maybe the whole axle assembly might have to come apart.

[SHoppe715]

This may be a dumb question as I've never worked on one of these... does it have disconnecting hubs? I worked on a Mazda with a bad hub once. The t-case shifted, but with 1 bad hub the other couldn'd engage either because the differential sent all the motion to the bad side. The driveshaft would spin but no power to the wheels.

Have you lifted all 4 tires off the ground and checked what'll turn and what won't?

[SHoppe715]

There's always this idea...

http://www.4x4posi-lok.com/app_chevy-k.html

But you do need to get the wheels off the ground and see what's actually engaging and what isn't. If it's an electric CAD, and it's working, and the transfer case actuator is what's bad, you won't be able to turn the driveshaft like you said. Vise versa, if the transfer case engages but not the CAD, same thing. My buddy had a Tundra with a bad t-case actuator that didn't work when it got cold out.

:google: .....:magic:.....I'm not really that smart.....

[Stumblinman]

Well I went to Shuck's and they actually had the actuator. Come to find out a mgr special ordered it because she was tired of turning people down. I put the part on the counter and the guy asked me what it was and before I could spit it out she spat 4x4 actuator. So just after I told him what year it was she was back with part in hand. I was impressed :) Now if the guy hadn't cut in front of me and the computer's gone down causing me to look at shiney chrome parts that only go on Chevys for 15 minutes it would've been perfect.
I was concerned with removing it because I had never done it and also just looking at it there are no bolts. Once I saw another one I found out the whole thing just screws out. It took about 5 minutes to take out and replace. OH well lesson learned. I couldn't find any literature on it and didn't want to break off a plastic piece that would make it undrivable.
It didn't kick right in though. I drove it bout 2 mins down the road and then it started working perfect. I'll check the fluid in a couple days and call it case closed.

[SHoppe715]

Shuck's on College? Deb really does know her $#!t. One of the few parts people in Fairbanks who I'd actually ask questions.

[akdsmer]

Shuck's on College? Deb really does know her $#!t. One of the few parts people in Fairbanks who I'd actually ask questions.

Your kidding....

[SHoppe715]

Your kidding....

Maybe a little, but compared to 99% of the rest of the Fairbanks auto parts stores "talent pool"...

[akdsmer]

Maybe a little, but compared to 99% of the rest of the Fairbanks auto parts stores "talent pool"...

The bad FAR outweight the good that's for sure. M&O was the last place that had a staff of automotive guys. :whistle:

[Stumblinman]

Actually I think her name might have been Sandra or something like that. She was ASE certified though. :whistle: I'm pretty much a regular at the College one. Last winter I had part of my check that should have been directly alloted to their store.

[SHoppe715]

... staff of automotive guys. :whistle:

Exactly.:rolleyes: She's a "gal". :lol:

There's an older gentleman at the Gaffney Napa that was an Air Force mechanic and worked on some M715s as they went out of service through the 70's and 80's. He's pretty helpful, but I can't rember his name.

[akdsmer]

Actually I think her name might have been Sandra or something like that. She was ASE certified though. :whistle: I'm pretty much a regular at the College one. Last winter I had part of my check that should have been directly alloted to their store.

When I worked at Affordable, I had Sandy trained; when she heard my voice she would stop and grab a pencil, write down what I wanted and what the application was. When she didn't I started all the way from the beginning. "Hi, this is Kelly.....

She's a good counterperson, the problem is, nobody has real experience or knows where the alternator on a car goes. Then there are the guys who think they know and offer their "advice". :rolleyes: Why don't you just sell them one of everything...

Sorry for going off topic!

[ARCTIC_EXPRESS]

Your kidding....
yeh he has got to be kidding!!!

[ARCTIC_EXPRESS]

The bad FAR outweight the good that's for sure. M&O was the last place that had a staff of automotive guys. :whistle:
well thanks for that vote of confedence...

[ARCTIC_EXPRESS]

If you need parts at schucks you talk to matt he is the only one who knows what he is talking about. At napa on gaffney most of they guys ( eric, rodie) in the phone room know there stuff, geist rd theres dave or rick , north pole theres jill. dont know about vanhorn napa as i never have to call it , at carquest theres tracy or josh...

[Stumblinman]

I was there today.. again and figured out it wasn't Sandy. She doesn't wear a name tag, I guess that's why I remember ASE.. It was just OK today but after seeing the net they logged into I have to get my hands into their server. Typed in a part# and specs came up with 4 different pics of the part. It was very helpful in figuring out the part I got at Napa was going to work. :D But then I told her the application. I hate doing that. I buy a cadillac alternator and then have to explain why I'm putting it in a Jeep and I don't have the old connector and have no idea what the third wire is for..... and I can't see getting a custom wound alternator when all I need is this %@#*^ little connector to make it work. No it's not just to run those two little bug eyed lights on my roof. I guess I have to start writing part#s down. I need plug wires and can't remember I think they're from an '86 F350......

[akdsmer]

well thanks for that vote of confedence...

Oops. I wasn't talking about the dealers. Plus, you hide in the back on the internet all day. You don't count! :D

By the way, all the part numbers on all the boxes you gave me were EXACTLY correct for my application (moving). Thanks.