My truck seems to be stuck in four wheel drive even though my switch is in 2 wheel drive. When driving it sounds like it is stuck in. I have tried to stop and switch between all ranges in nuetral mand it does not work. Can someone help me out on where to start looking?
Asked by dochanson66 Mar 14, 2013 at 09:21 AM about the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
48 Answers
check the fuse. There are three main things that will blow the fuse; the front axle actuator, the encoder motor on the transfer case or a mechanical problem in the transfer case. First unplug the actuator and see if the fuse blows. If not the actuator is bad, If the fuse blows, unplug the motor on the transfer case. If the fuse does not blow with the motor unplugged, but does with it connected, remove the motor from the case and try again. If it still blows the fuse, the motor is likely bad. If the fuse does not blow with the motor out of the transfer case, the problem is more likely internal to the case. If it binds internally, the motor will pull too many amps and blow the fuse.
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turn the vehicle on and have 2wd selected and get under the truck and tap on the shift motor on the transfer case with a small hammer or something see if it will pop out. ive seen alot of motors go bad and if you hit them they will go to working again, for a little while anyways. it could be a control issue or internal transfer case issue. but hitting the motor is best thing to start with.
And ditto on kbro's post. Makes sense to me
I need help. My truck is stuck in 4 wheel drive low. The switch just blinks then go's out.
It's the motor my dads truck did this and I changed the motor and it works flawlessly now
Hailey9050 answered 9 years ago
Put your transmission in neutral first and then shift to 2 wheel drive. It should shift out of low right away
200235thSS answered 9 years ago
I had my 4wd suddenly go out on my 94 Silverado. I researched and believed it to be the Actuator. I replaced with new one and still no 4wd. Then I checked the fuse(should have done that first) and it was blown. I replaced the fuse (25A) and the 4wd worked. I was going to take back the Actuator I bought, but figured with 202,000 miles, $87 was worth replacing it. I am assuming the blown fuse was result of bad Actuator. So, if your fuses keep blowing, replace the Actuator too. Hope my experience helps.
I put into neutral and the pressed the 2wd and it switched.
I just purchased a clean 2001 Silverado 1500 HD 4wd, it test drove pretty good and after a full tune up and final test drive I lost all gears at a stop sign. No noise or vibration, I got to the stop sign and nothing when I tried to accel. No gears at all, there is a spinning/grinding sound below. I towed it to the local mechanic and he said he didn't think it was the tranny or transfer case but rather the shift motor. I called another tranny mechanic and he suggested the same. Any thoughts or relative situations, parts about 150 and labor is about 50 they say but im curious is there a way to test or work around? N.
Lionel1117 answered 8 years ago
I have a 2015 silverado, it's been having issues since day one, it seems to want to bounce back in forth between gears and they've put in a new torque converter and that did nothing they put in a new transmission and that didn't fix it, this last time it got stuck in 4 low and felt like some tires we're locked up it got towed into the shop and they put in a new transfer case actuator, I've had it for a day now and it drives but it's still has other issues. It feels like it's loose or something if I let off the gas and give it gas it sometimes feels like it goes around and when it catches it makes a loud clunking noise anyone have any solution/suggestions?
Garyforbize answered 8 years ago
have a ford 150 have it in 2 wheel drive but still have front passenger side locked in 4 wheel help thanks
Did you ever figure it out? Mine does the same thing, I've replaced the front differential, the 4wd switch, the transfer case encoder still not fixed, only thing I can think of is the 4wd computer but who knows
on the ford on the pass side of the engine compartment by the firewall are two solinoids one of them is bad.
457greasemonkey answered 7 years ago
Guy's I'm a little stuck here I've got a 97 GMC Suburban K1500 stuck in 4 low and just need it in 2 hi, don't got any money and need it done quick is there an easy way to just shift it back to 2 hi manually and if so what do I gotta do for me to do it?
my old Bravada was stuck in 4 wheel drive. My fix was changing out the transfer control module. Car runs great!
I have a 2011 Chevy Silverado what will not shift into 4 wheel h. L ,N it just stays in 2 wheel H.
I have a Ford F-150 and it is stuck in 4wd high help
How much they cost me to lift 9"my Chevy Silverado 2008
I have a 1996 silverado z71 1500 4x4 if you have no gears your transfer case may be stuck in nutral.mine blows the fuse but im a retired mechanic .i know whats wrong with mine .
victin1853 answered 6 years ago
I have a 2010 silverado... I can't get it to switch to 2 high, somehow it stuck in 4 low, but I never put it in 4 low... Any ideal what it might be? Could it be the transfer motor, fuse, or bad switch? In advance thanks for your help!
If you have a trailer hooked up, you have to unplug the trailer brake lights. That worked for me, I have no idea why.
I have a 2002 tahoe. The front axle 4x4 solenoid was broke when I got it. I just replaced it and pushed 4 hi. It went in with no issues. When I hit 4 lo it made a clunk and went into 4 lo but woulnt come out no matter what I did. I shut the engine off and when I started it back up the 4x4 lights were all out and a message said service 4x4 and my tahoe wouldn't shift out of first gear in 4 lo. Lucky enough I kept reading on different threads and found the answer. I unhooked my battery cables starting with the positive then negative. Left them off for five minutes. After 5 I reconnected them. To my surprise my lights had come back on the 4x4 buttons so with the car running I shifted from R N D N R over and over with my foot off the brake while pushing 2 high and boom. Back into business. Also if your cars buttons won't light up or if it keeps putting it's self into 4x4. There is a ground bolt just below the drivers door hinge with 1 or 2 ground wires on it. Take them off and clean the metal up. And chances are it will fix the issue. Seems to be a big issue with 99 to 2006 chevy truck and suvs.
lightning59 answered 6 years ago
Have somebody work the switch while you tap on the encodermotor with a small hammer when it shifts in to 2 high .take out number 2 fues that whay you want acadently get stuck back in 4 high or low .when you can change incoder motor .there around 210.00 bucks .
lightning59 answered 6 years ago
I leve mine in 4 wheel high then just pull fuse when i need it i just put fues back in then switch 4low then back 4high to get it locked in .then when i dont need it i just pull fuse .ant got 210 bucks mine has the encoder motor with a two wire plug on the shift motor and a 4 prong plug with 2 wires on the front actutater ..evetything works im just replaceing everything to new one piece at a time not cheep 76 for dash switch 150 for actutater just got the computer and encoder left .all other switchs on the tcase work mines a 96 z71 5.7 with the larger transmition and trasfercase
My 2004 Tahoe had the same issue. It would go to 4L when I turned it off. I later turned it back on , and then it would go back to normal. If I put it auto it would stay. A new switch did not fix it. I had the front left bearing replaced and now the switch it acting normal again.. Hope this helps..Jeff
Put it on a lift, or jack it up and suport it, remove the front axle and see if the front dif spins free , if the light shows its in 2 wheel drive znd the front dif spins free at th yalk then its in 2 wheel drive. 98-02 4 button electric shift is a 2 speed transfer case .. so the drive line is always in gear, if the u joints are locking up or loose it will cause vibration, if it shows its in 2 wheel drive but the front axle is engaged" i should add when running" then it can be a fuse, or the actuator.. worst case, internal problem . in the front dif.. but their cheap and easy to replace
Anonymous6969 answered 6 years ago
I've had this problem before. I backed it up a few feet and pulled forward a few feet and it still wouldn't work. I parked it for 15 min checking fuses and what not then I drove it forward about 30 foot and tryed to put it in 2 wheel drive and it worked. I think the rotation of my tiered got thrown off, is the reason mine messed up. Hope this helps if not the disregaurd it
Just went through this problem with the 4 wheel selector showing two wheel. 09 Silverado. Checked the 30 amp fuse which was good. Got under truck and took off the "transfer case shift motor ". Took the motor apart and found the magnets broke and the motor wouldn't turn. Ordered new from O'Reilly's. 5 hours later installed and the 4 wheel selection nob had 2, auto 4, 4high and 4 low. 15 to 20 min. Job. Good luck
hi all i had my z71 stuck in low 4x4 i tried for 2 days now stuck in bush lucky i have reception for the threads ... what fixed it was taking the battery terminals off and also cleaning the two earth withes to chassis now i am in Australia so the earth wires are on the left hand side under passenger door at front.. wire brush and cleaned the hole and now its in 2 high, so as i said im in bush and got bogged and needed to 4x4 to get out and bang something broke,,, i have no gears at all and a spinning sound under the car ..i can only assume its the hi low gear selector broke and i'm stuck in neutral..??? shift motor maybe or i am open to suggestions while i enjoy the freedom of no smoke and calm atmosphere and the 11/10 stress.... can you tell me whats involved in changing shift motor? once i figure out how to get out of the bog i'm in down to the chassis,, and with my 5th wheeler and a trailer on the back ...
I know how to fix the encoder motor problem when you buy a new one [[used one and they are always in some kind of 4wd either high or lol I used an old part from the one that was messed up and it works like a charm everyone has struggled with this 4wd I figured it out where you don't have to blow money at the dealership and you can hop out and fix it in 2 min and be out of 4wd low or high it's awesome I have spent hours I will try and make you tube video zacks how to make encoder motor change gears or something from 4wd low back to 2 4wd it's tricking the computer no more rocking it around fighting it thank god
chev silverado lt wont go in 4wd
I have a 2001 Chevy Silverado Z71 and it is only going on 4 high and 4 auto, 4 wheel drive isn't working, what is the problem?
I have a Silverado Z71 and it's not going in 4 wheel drive even the button is on 4 high, it will not go to 4 low or 2 wd
You need a new shift motor encoder ring
MissPortia answered 5 years ago
I have an 05 Tahoe that was stuck in 4 low. I held ALL 3 buttons down at the same time, with the truck running, while keeping my foot on the break, I shifted into N then into 2. That reset the system and got me back to normal drive
When your truck or SUV is stuck on 4low. Just simply put your vehicle in Nuetral, then turn switch to 4H..you'll be able to switch to what ever you want from that point. Also note that when your vehicle is in 4 low it disables Stabilitrak or traction control.. Both cannot work at the same time. Once you switch out of 4low Stabilitrak will turn on again. Hope this helps
I have a ‘97 Chevy 1500, and it won’t shift out of 4hi. The first couple times I was able to shut it off, restart, shift into neutral, and it popped out when I pressed the button. Eventually that quit working. While checking fuses I discovered that if I pull the transfer case fuse (#2; 20A) out for a minute, then put it back in, I can press the button and it pops out of 4hi. That’s a manageable workaround, but I’d like it to work right. Anyone know what it would be? I’m guessing it’s something electrical, like the actuator or the switch.
Backyard1234 answered 4 years ago
Hi people I am having a strange issue my 01 GMC Sierra is always on 4wD high when I turn it on, so every time I turn my truck on I have to click auto 4x4 then 2wd high and then I can drive. When it is in 4c4 high it sounds and feels really bad and stalls out.
TahoeWomen answered 4 years ago
@DavidH25 which fuse is the 4wd fuse? I found a 10amp 4wd fuse under dash but not one under hood in the diagram you are showing.
GMC_Brian1985 answered 4 years ago
I have an ‘05 Sierra 1500. When i bought it used 4wd would not work. Took it to the shop and they replaced the motor in the transfer case. A few months later it would go into 4wd when I parked randomly. Took it back they replaced the motor again and it worked for awhile. Now the same, had another shop look at it and they didn’t find anything. Usually I can turn the truck off turn the key put it in neutral and it will go I to 2WD. Now it won’t get out of 4 low. I replace the selector switch just in case and cleaned up the bolts that hold the ground wires. Still not working. I’m at a loss. Please help.
Where is the fuse for the Transfer case control module / transfer case motor? 2010 Chevy silverado 5.3 LT (4x4). Please help
Christopher answered 4 years ago
If it's stuck in 4wd try in neutral or park set it in 2wd then put it in reverse and reverse slowly then park or then drive and it should disengage also it's probably time for you to change your 4wd actuator.
Guru94THY7 answered 4 years ago
my 94 just keeps locking up and unlocking in the wrong places. it pisses me off when it does it at a light so can someone help me please.
chantzsmith answered 3 years ago
I have a 1990 chevy 4x4 that I could not get to go into 4 wheel drive so I replaced the front acuator and the 4 wheel drive still would not engage. I replaced the switch on top of the transfer case and now it stays in 4 wheel drive all the time. The only way I can get it out is remove the fuse or unplug the switch on the transfer case. Does anyone have an idea why it would be stuck in 4 wheel drive?
i have a 97 chevy 4x4 its stuck in 4/W low and it keeps clicking like its switching back and forth and help would be nice
Had a problem with my 2008 Silverado 4x4 after getting stuck in the deep snow. Would get Stabiltrak and traction control off message on instrument cluster and the lights on the electronic trans. dial was showing it was stuck in 4x4 low. Going down the road it would not shift and would rev up to high rpm and limit speed to about 50 mph. I followed some advice found here on this web page. Started my truck, put the trans in neutral first then shift to 2wd. It should shift out of 4wd low and into 2wd and then all will be working as it should. It worked for me and my truck is now working as it should. Thanks