4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jboston701 · 11-04-2009, 02:55 AM

So I got my 88 3/4 ton 350 4x4 up and running thanks to all of you on this forum.
Winter is knocking on the door, so today I tried to engage the 4 wheel drive to make sure it works (I have not needed or tried to put it in 4 wheel drive for several years). The light did not come on, and I could just tell it wasnt engaging. It has always taken its time getting into 4 wheel drive, and Ive heard some years after '88 they changed the actuator to a better one.
I recently had the axle seals replaced by a shop, could that have anything to do with it? Maybe something got broke on accident? Should I start with the actuator? The switch on the t case?
So far all Ive done is ruled out a bad 4x4 light bulb

Any suggustions on where I should start? Thanks

**bwood** · 11-04-2009, 11:42 AM

If your truck is equipped with one, I would say actuator. This was a common item to sell for us at the parts store I worked in. We probably sold the Chevy actutor about once a week in the cooler months. If you have a meter, unhook the actutor under the truck and make sure it is getting power.

Jboston701 · 11-04-2009, 03:22 PM

Thanks bwood, I'll check that first.

DirtyLarry · 11-04-2009, 03:46 PM

Do yourself a favor and get one of these and never deal with actuator problems again. This is basically the same concept as the old locking front hubs but cable operated from inside the cab. Plus it gives you the use of 2wd low range which is useful for backing up trailers or doing smokey burnouts.

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

**special-K** · 11-05-2009, 09:36 PM

I`ve been patiently waiting for 4wd in my truck since it was new in`92.I`ve just never gotten around to doing anything about it.Those manual activators are the bee`s knees.

Jboston701 · 11-05-2009, 10:24 PM

Remember when I said I had the axle seals done at a shop and wondered if that could have something to do with it? Well I got under the truck yesterday and discovered that the 2 electrical connections where the actuator connects to were both unhooked. Not only that, but the actuator wire was smashed and sandwiched between the axle and the frame, making it impossible to reconnect it with out jacking up the truck. Sigh. Im hoping they own up to it and replace the actuator. Thanks for all your help. The posi-lok system looks great but more than I will probably do right now. I just need it to work before it starts snowing.

**special-K** · 11-06-2009, 11:47 PM

Glad you found that.They ought to back it up.Seems pretty obvious to me they did it.That`s bad enough.Not owning up would make me pass on that shop in the future.

11-04-2009, 02:55 AM	#1
Jboston701 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 26	4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum So I got my 88 3/4 ton 350 4x4 up and running thanks to all of you on this forum. Winter is knocking on the door, so today I tried to engage the 4 wheel drive to make sure it works (I have not needed or tried to put it in 4 wheel drive for several years). The light did not come on, and I could just tell it wasnt engaging. It has always taken its time getting into 4 wheel drive, and Ive heard some years after '88 they changed the actuator to a better one. I recently had the axle seals replaced by a shop, could that have anything to do with it? Maybe something got broke on accident? Should I start with the actuator? The switch on the t case? So far all Ive done is ruled out a bad 4x4 light bulb Any suggustions on where I should start? Thanks

11-04-2009, 11:42 AM	#2
bwood Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 1,919	Re: 4x4 not engaging If your truck is equipped with one, I would say actuator. This was a common item to sell for us at the parts store I worked in. We probably sold the Chevy actutor about once a week in the cooler months. If you have a meter, unhook the actutor under the truck and make sure it is getting power. __________________ 1998 GMC Sierra SLE 1/2 ton 2WD 305 Vortec -Gibson Stainless Cat Back Swept Side -SS Wheels 2005 Honda CRF250R 2006 Honda CRF150F Last edited by bwood; 11-04-2009 at 11:43 AM.

11-04-2009, 03:22 PM	#3
Jboston701 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 26	Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum Thanks bwood, I'll check that first.

11-04-2009, 03:46 PM	#4
DirtyLarry Windy Corner of a Dirty Street Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pueblo West, Colorado Posts: 2,926	Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum Do yourself a favor and get one of these and never deal with actuator problems again. This is basically the same concept as the old locking front hubs but cable operated from inside the cab. Plus it gives you the use of 2wd low range which is useful for backing up trailers or doing smokey burnouts. http://4x4posi-lok.com/app_chevy-k.html __________________ Current vehicle collection: 1978 Chevrolet K10, 8.1L, NV4500, NP205 1989 Chevrolet Suburban, 8.1L, NV4500, NP241 1993 Chevrolet C1500 Sportside, TBI 7.4L, 4L60E 2001 Chevrolet K2500HD, Ext Cab, SWB, 8.1L, ZF 6 speed 2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ 3.6L Vortec 8.1L because life is too short to tolerate underpowered vehicles Instagram

11-05-2009, 09:36 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum I`ve been patiently waiting for 4wd in my truck since it was new in`92.I`ve just never gotten around to doing anything about it.Those manual activators are the bee`s knees. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-05-2009, 10:24 PM	#6
Jboston701 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 26	Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum Remember when I said I had the axle seals done at a shop and wondered if that could have something to do with it? Well I got under the truck yesterday and discovered that the 2 electrical connections where the actuator connects to were both unhooked. Not only that, but the actuator wire was smashed and sandwiched between the axle and the frame, making it impossible to reconnect it with out jacking up the truck. Sigh. Im hoping they own up to it and replace the actuator. Thanks for all your help. The posi-lok system looks great but more than I will probably do right now. I just need it to work before it starts snowing.

11-06-2009, 11:47 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum Glad you found that.They ought to back it up.Seems pretty obvious to me they did it.That`s bad enough.Not owning up would make me pass on that shop in the future. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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