4WD Control Confusion - First Time Blazer Owner
 

:icon_hyper:I just bought my first Blazer and it's a 1997 4WD. It's been sitting for several years so it's a project vehicle. I'm so glad I found this forum. I've been trolling through the threads and have found lots of helpful info...thanks to everyone!

I have two questions for now.

1. What is the best manual, or manuals, I should buy for mechanical issues. (I'll leave electrical to a pro) and are there any good videos available?

2. I'm VERY CONFUSED about the 4WD!!! I don't have a manual lever. I've seen pictures of Blazers that have a small push-button box on the dash. I have a hole in my dash where that would be. A local repair place with a mechanic who "specializes" in 4WD told me mine was automatic and I didn't need a control box. He said it automatically senses when I need 4WD and shifts in and out as necessary. SOUNDS FISHY TO ME!

Can anyone send me in the right direction to get started figuring this out?

If you have a hole in the dash where your 4x4 switch would be then it's likely the switch is missing. There was an extremely rare verison that was indeed an automatic 4x4 with no selector switch, but it's really rare. Is there a harness in the hole where your selector switch would normally be? It should be on the dash, above the radio, and to the left of the heat vents. You need to figure out which 4x4 system your truck uses, and if you're missing the switch.

As far as the best manuals, I personally like to buy the same service manuals the GM dealer's use. I have always been successful locating them on e-bay or Amazon. Matter of fact, I am sitting here looking at the ones for my '97 Blazer. alldatatdiy.com also sells annual subscriptions to these manuals fairly cheap (something like $20.00 per year). There are times when it is better I have the physical manuals, and there are times when the "search" function that alldatadiy.com has comes in very handy...so I buy both.

You are missing the push buttons. I think you have the three button style...but you will need to check the build codes on the glove box lid.

And find a different mechanic...that ones does not know anything about Blazers.

4X4 Selector Switch
 

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

There is a hole in the dash but no harness. I removed most of the dash to see if it had fallen back inside and couldn't find a harness.

There's a metal box mounted on a plastic panel, on the front passenger side, under the dash, near the floor (kick plate).

The 4X4 "specialist" told me that was my control unit. There is only one harness plugged into it and no unused connections. He said that's how he knew it was automatic. I'm still doubting that because the harness could split off somewhere under the dash leading to another harness or connector.

I tried to trace the path of that harness but lost it between the glove box and radio. Maybe there's a terminal somewhere with a missing connection.

I'm not sure what else to do. Guess I could take the dash completely apart removing all the plastic in the hope I could find something. Wish there was a manual or a video. I'm definitely a visual learner. I'll keep at it. :icon_denk:

Thanks again.

Inside the glove box is a white sticker with several 3 character codes. These are RPO codes, (Regular Production Options). Every option that your vehicle is equipped with, is on that sticker. Look for any that start with "NP", especially NP1 or NP3 and post them here.

NP Codes
 

Thanks Cap. Codes listed are NP3 & NP5

NP5 is a leather wrapped steering wheel. NP3 is in fact AWD, (very rare option on Blazers).There are no switches on the dash, it is fully automatic. It uses a single speed transfer case, (no low range) no vacuum switch on the transfer case, and no actuator under the battery tray. Both front axles are locked in all the time.

Sounds like your "specialist" might be a guy you can count on :)

Cudos to the Captain! He's a wealth of knowledge.

If you have a hole in your dash where the switches on a regular 4x4 Blazer, you should be able to find the blank panel from a 2wd Blazer to fill it.