I hit button dash on my 97 s10. Hear clicking noise by transfer case but 4x4 will not engage. light on 4h indicator goes on but front end will not engage. Help!! stuck in snow in arkansas.
Thank you

 

Have you checked the actuator under the battery? It may have a rip or hole and thus it won't pull the cable to engage the front end.

 

Ill go check it right now. Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

I found the actuator after taking battery and battery base out. How do I test the actuator? I do n

 

Sorry, sent before i could write that I do not have vacuum tester. Thank you.

 

Reconnect the battery, and have someone push the 4hi button while you watch the actuator, i know it is difficult to get the battery reconnect while out of its "home. It should contract and pull the cable about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Or you can disconnect the cable pull it as far as you can, then lock it off with vice grips, then drive it around to see if you have 4wD

 

there's a far easier way to check it.


1) pull the vacuum hose off of it.
2) compress the diaphram & hold.
3) place finger or thumb over the nipple that you removed the vaccum line from, and hold firmly in place.
4) release the diaphram.

if the diaphram springs back out ('cause there's a big spring inside it) then there is a hole/tear somewhere in the rubber.

could be a hose has come off somewhere in the t-case vacuum system.

could also have a bad vacuum switch on the t-case. start the truck & see if there is any vacuum coming from the hose @ the diaphram.



hope this helps you out some.

 

So I tested pin13 and actuator. Actuator held vacuum and the cable to transfer case moved 1/2 inch when i pulled on it. Pin 13 had flashed once every 3 seconds on 4h and 4l button. I pulled trans fuse and let it sit before putting fuse back in and turning key on 5 times. Is there easy way to test vacuum to actuator. I found switch next to actuator cable on transfer case. It looks to have electrical connection. Where is vacuum switch. Was told it was on transfer case but I could not find it.
Thanks

 

there is no cable that runs back to the t-case. the cable runs from the vacuum diaphram under the battery, to the front diff.

if you're thinking there is an issue with the vacuum supply, you can read through THIS.

it'll make it much easier than reposting something that is already out there.