4x4 problems

[bloxxbmw]

When I push the button for 4x4 nothing happens. It has worked all winter, now all of the sudden it doesnt work. Any idea whats going on?

 

[camnnikki]

I actually went through this problem today. I went step by step through the 4x4 troubleshooter sticky, and it turned out I had a loose wire at the switch.

 

[bloxxbmw]

Ok Thanks!! Is this troubleshooting "sticky" in the owners manual? Glad it was nothing too serious. Did you just end up putting some electrical tape on it or something?

 

[LXNavajo_94]

The 4X4 troubleshooting sticky is right here on this site. Just do a search for it. More than likely even though 4wd has been working on your rig all winter. Its still a possibility that your transfer case shift motor might need a rebuild. Thats on here as well just do a search for it. Its a pretty straightforward write up. Nothing special needed except a small piece of rubber or plastic tubing.

 

[little x]

You don't need to search, you just need to look... a few post's above this one. See all the stickies at the top of the page? yea, the threads that you passed to look at this one. The very first one is the "4x4 trouble shooting" thread.

Most 4x4 problems are no problem at all. Either a loose wire, or stuck shift motor. I've had my shift motor get stuck several dozen times. A slight tap with a wrench or hammer always gets it moving again.

 

[bloxxbmw]

I am taking it in to a transmission place tomorrow for a free diagnostic. I hope that they are honest. I will let you all know how it goes.

 

[Glen4X4]

well you could try tapping on the shift motor while someone is in the vehicle pressing the 4X4 switch, it don't take much time. Usually if the shift motor is going bad that tap will knock it into 4hi. oh and tap on it with a hammer.

 

[bloxxbmw]

I tried going under there yesturday to find it. I know it looks like a soda can, and Ive seen the pictures of it.... but I just couldnt find it. I am really not good with cars.

 

[Glen4X4]

You know what the transmission looks like right? well the transfercase is connected right behind that and on the backside of the t-case is that shift motor.

 

[camnnikki]

I have to renig a bit on my reply. Turns out I jumped the gun. I am back to the same issue that you are having and I am 95% sure that it is the switch itself. I thought getting the wire back into the harness solved it but it is not working again. I am going to get a new switch before I mess with the shift motor because if the motor is not getting the signal from the switch then it isn't going to work regardless. Hope this helps.

 

[Glen4X4]

If you think its the switch, have you tried hittin the switch to see if it'd click on.

 

[camnnikki]

When I say switch I meant the button on the dash. I have not tried hitting the shift motor because it's just to nasty outside to crawl under the truck. Like I said the button worked for a few hours and then it stopped again (no signal going out). I prodded all the wires with a test light and the right ones had power, one was faint but it was there. This is why I suspect the button itself.

 

[Glen4X4]

I thought you meant the switch on the dash, I meant did you try tapping on that at all with your finger to see if it'd make it click on, maybe something's broke in the switch. Someone on another forum tore their switch apart because it didn't work all it was, was it was pretty dirty they cleaned it and put it back together and has been working.

 

[camnnikki]

I pulled the switch completely apart, down to the circuit board and played with it like that for 30 minutes and got it to work. However, I go out the next day and test the system just to be sure and got nothing. Pulled the switch back apart and played with it some more and still have nothing. I think it gave it's last bit of power the first time it was apart.

 

[Glen4X4]

oh ok.