Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) no front wheel drive

[ThomG]

Is this the correct place for technical questions? My truck has about 196,000 miles on it, most of my driving is highway with occasional off road mud or snow use when its nice to use the 4WD. Last winter on one occasion , I got stuck and had to be helped by a GM gaser, quite embaressing! Today, while trying go down an unplowed road I got stuck again and a friend with a Powerstroke rescued me although I've shifted into 4WD,it's not working If placed into 4-lo,I definitely am in lo range, but with no 4WD just as with 4-hi. The shifter feels as though it should be in 4WD with some occasional & slight gear engagement sound. Any ideas as to where to start looking for a solution?96 extcab,2500,Auto,4WD,Banks Powerpack,transmission rebuilt & beefed up

 

[JFaughn]

Wecome to the site , if its working for sure in H , then I would start looknig at the linkage , at the transfer case , not enough reach to ingage the vacume valve after shifting the T case .
The ft. axail is shifted by a vacume motor at the center of the ft. axail , some times it can get some dirt/slug , & get sticky from lack of use , good excuse for telling the girl friend/wife why you need to off road now & then .
It could be either , just got to get under , while someone is moving the shifter to see .

 

[bdcraig]

Make sure the vaccum lines are connected at both the transfercase(on the front topside of the skid) and on the axle. I've seen the valve in the axle freeze up before.



Brian

 

[RDelissen]

does the 4wd light come on? If so then the Tcase is more than likely not the problem. On mine the vacuum hose on the axle CAD has a tendency to come loose. I'd check that first