vacuum axle disconnect not functioning 3.4.05

[nmhillbilly]

Ihave narrowed my problem down to the vac axle disconnect. It is getting vacuum when 4wd is engaged and disengaged. What is the next thing I can check or what might be wrong with the thing. Winter is still here and I can't make it anywhere in the truck the way it is. :roll:

 

[Ranger Al]

shift motor not working.... Check the shiftmotor on the transfer case.

 

[TPLYNCH]

When it is engaged, does the front driveshaft spin? If yes, but you are not getting power to the wheels, then it's probably the t/fcase

 

[nmhillbilly]

The transfer case is turning the front driveshaft. in 4wd. Just doesn't spin front wheels. Shift motor is working properly.

 

[Premier]

The front right tire is controlled by the vacuum disco. The left should be turning, unless your auto hubs are blown.

 

[nmhillbilly]

well what locks and unlocks the left then. is it always turning the driveshaft?

 

[Premier]

I dont know.. mine is always turning the driveshaft, because its locked. You have an open diff, so I guess it just spins freely.

Maybe JDraper will chime in.

 

[JDraper]

The '96 does not have auto hubs...the axles are bolted to the wheels so nothing disengages. If the vacuum disconnect is bad, and it's stuck in the open position, you will have no drive in the front at all. Since the front differential is open, all the power will go to the area of least resistance, which would be the inner axle half on the passenger's side in this case.

You can manually switch the vacuum disconnect by taking the cover off the module on the axle and manually moving the engagement fork. Caution: you will spill axle fluid doing this.

Here's a picture of the module:

Jake, I was a typin' as you was a postin"

 

[Premier]

I was about to call you superman LOL

 

[nmhillbilly]

So what I am trying to figure out it what might be wrong with the dang thing. Does anyone know how much the vacuum motor will cost or if I can fix it in some way.

 

[schmoken]

Check for the obvious before throwing parts at it. I bet the actuator is a dealer item, $$$!
The relays are behind the passenger side headlight . Stick your ear down there and listen for a tick while someone turns the switch to 4wd and back. Those little relays dont make much noise.
Make sure you dont have a vacuum line that popped off.
Other than that, I'd say pull the acuator off and see if anything is actually broken, that the collar slides freely, and the splines look ok.
Good luck!

 

[nmhillbilly]

is the vacuum motor supposed to turn. It easily turns about 1/8 turn. relays make noise and vacuum lines are hooked up and look to be in good shape. Must be inside. Wondering about the turning though.