2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech Discuss 2nd generation S-series (1995-2005) general tech topics here.

'99 4WD 4 Button Electric Vacuum Switch won't Turn on actuator.

  #1  
Old 12-31-2012, 01:19 PM
50Chevy's Avatar
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
50Chevy is on a distinguished road
Question '99 4WD 4 Button Electric Vacuum Switch won't Turn on actuator.

My wife's 1999 Blazer 4WD wouldn't engage in to 4WD in the snow. SERVICE 4WD dash light came on immediately and, AUTO 4WD button lite continued to flash ,4WD didn't engage. Thinking it was just a simple problem. I did some research on this site and now I'm stumped. All fuses Ok, all buttons light correctly.
Next I applied vacuum to the front axle actuator under the battery, it locked the axel, and the axel lock switch closed (zero ohms) as it should. I measured the resistance of the coil of the electric vacuum switch mounted on the firewall it was very low. Preplaced it with a new one(Dorman #600-104) that has a coil resistance of 68 ohms.
Don't fix same results as original problem.
Next I disconnected the vacuum switch and turned on the ign to run, and the dash SERVICE 4WD lite did not come on, so I bypassed the vacuum lines(connected together as if the switch would have if it was working) started the Blazer ,I heard the axle lock, pushed 4WD H button and it flashed went into 4WD-H just perfect. I drove it a little on my driveway ice it defiantly was in 4WD, pushed 2WD button, went back to 2WD as it should. I'm assuming that the TCCM and all the transfer case components must be OK if it worked with vacuum switch bypassed
Next I checked the voltage at the connector ,and switched Ign on, it read 6.8v, then pressed 4WD button reading went to 11.7v. Brown wire positive, Tan/Black-stripe wire negative.
Can anyone tell me where the control voltage to the vacuum switch comes from? I have found many schematics on 1999 Blazer 4WD's and none of them show the circuit(or wiring) to the actuator vacuum switch
Is it correct to have 6v applied to it with Ign in run without any 4WD buttons pressed?
Why would the SEVICE 4WD light cone on with switch connected and not be on when I disconnect it?
Is 68 ohms the correct coil resistance for a good switch, is my new one bad?
 
  #2  
Old 12-31-2012, 01:40 PM
Chevy33's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 364
Chevy33 is on a distinguished road
Default You can answer my question

I'm having the same problem. I don't think my encoder motor is working. Are there 7 or 8 pins on the encoder motor connection? I have 3 4x4 blazers in the driveway now. Barring taking down the skid plates and looking on another one you have probed the pins.
 
  #3  
Old 12-31-2012, 03:01 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,137
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

The NV236 Wiring & Diagnostic Information thread contains the wiring diagram showing the front axle clutch solenoid wiring. The ground is supplied by the TCCM and the power comes through SP200 (splice pack #200). SP200 is actually in the wiring harness below the glove box that gets its power from the 4WD fuse.

*Moving to 2nd Gen Tech* Please create a new introduction thread if you'd like, but choose the appropriate section for requests for technical help.
 
  #4  
Old 12-31-2012, 04:32 PM
50Chevy's Avatar
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
50Chevy is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks that the best info I found. I will try to locate the problem and report back.
 
  #5  
Old 01-05-2013, 04:44 PM
50Chevy's Avatar
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
50Chevy is on a distinguished road
Default

The other day I checked the switch/solenoid operation and wiring by un-plugging the TCCM and grounding F4 with key to run, switch/solenoid worked fine. Checked E10,E1 & E11, for 12V, also checked for good ground on E16. Concluded it must be a bad TCCM, ordered replacement one.
Replaced the TCCM everything worked great, so much for a simple cheap problem. Those TCCM's are treated like gold by the parts stores.
Thanks to swartlkk for the good schematics.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
762mm
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
15
08-28-2023 03:32 PM
BearingEater
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
2
06-17-2011 03:16 PM
PaulO2288
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
9
05-21-2011 05:31 AM
watsonracingteam
Steering, Suspension & Drivetrain
1
08-25-2008 04:48 PM
punx.inc
Full Size K5 (1969-1991) GMT415 (1992-1994) Tech
2
12-25-2007 12:07 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: '99 4WD 4 Button Electric Vacuum Switch won't Turn on actuator.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:32 PM.