Steering, Suspension & Drivetrain Questions about your steering, suspension, axles, and/or transfer case? Post up here.

Odd 4x4 issue...need me some help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 06:08 PM
  #1  
Nightpath's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Beginning Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 42
From: Canada
Nightpath is on a distinguished road
Default Odd 4x4 issue...need me some help

Howdy all,

Today I was out and about in my 98 Blazer 4door, got in some mud and couldn't get out. Had to have a stranger in a Dodge pull me out.

Anyways, to get to the meat of the issue :

When I engage the 4x4 the switch lights work good, can hear the click of the relays doing their thing, and I can hear it switching under the chev. I crawled under it with my brother engaging the 4x4 and driving a bit, and the front driveshaft turns. Here's the issue, the front wheels aren't getting engaged.

I was only able to take a quick look, but it appears it's all working great right up until the axle has to chip in and do it's job.

Anyone know what it might be? Can't seem to find anyone with a similar issue.

I do still have to reset the battery/computer and give that a try, but until tomorrow I can't do much. Any ideas you guys have would be great so I can get out there and start problem solving.
 
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 07:08 PM
  #2  
warthogdriver's Avatar
BF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
From: Bay City, Michigan
warthogdriver is a jewel in the roughwarthogdriver is a jewel in the roughwarthogdriver is a jewel in the roughwarthogdriver is a jewel in the rough
Default

is the actuator under the battery ok? might be torn and not moving the cable to engage the front end.
just my first thought..
 
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 07:10 PM
  #3  
Thogert's Avatar
BF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,313
From: Who even knows anymore
Thogert has a spectacular aura aboutThogert has a spectacular aura aboutThogert has a spectacular aura about
Default

^Dito
 
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 09:05 PM
  #4  
islanderboy91's Avatar
New Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 8
From: Harkers Island, NC
islanderboy91 is on a distinguished road
Default

I actually have the same issue but with my 1993 Blazer...I checked the actuator under the battery and it appears to be fine and holds pressure...also pulled on the line going to the actuater and that seemed fine...any other possible ideas?

P.S. Mine also makes wierd noises sometimes going down the road...It kinda seems like its coming from somewhere near the differential...sometimes its like a squeal noise but sometimes increases to like a kinda screeching noise the more i drive....After about a month of it doing this i decided to park her until i figured out the issue....but hunting seasons here and i really want it fixed...
 

Last edited by islanderboy91; Oct 10, 2011 at 09:12 PM.
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 09:26 PM
  #5  
xgiovannix12's Avatar
BF Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,962
From: Summit Ny
xgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura aboutxgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura aboutxgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura about
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #6  
Nightpath's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Beginning Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 42
From: Canada
Nightpath is on a distinguished road
Default

For some reason I thought I did search before I posted...then I realized it was another site that I did.

I r n00b.

Anyways, that's a good place to start tomorrow
 
Old Oct 10, 2011 | 09:35 PM
  #7  
xgiovannix12's Avatar
BF Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,962
From: Summit Ny
xgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura aboutxgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura aboutxgiovannix12 has a spectacular aura about
Default

have fun =)
 
Old Oct 11, 2011 | 02:25 PM
  #8  
Nightpath's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Beginning Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 42
From: Canada
Nightpath is on a distinguished road
Default

OK, I went out and finally checked it (really a bitch with the short battery cables).

The vacuum actuator is staying sucked in when the motor turns on, regardless of the buttons pressed for 2/4/4lo.

Wouldn't this engage the 4wd and keep it engaged though?
 
Old Oct 11, 2011 | 03:04 PM
  #9  
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 41,329
From: Waterloo, NY
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

That only engages the front axle which is entirely separate from the transfer case.

Sounds like you either have a vacuum line routing problem, or a stuck vacuum switch on the transfer case (assuming NV233 transfer case since the OP didn't provide vehicle info). I'd try the switch first as they do have a tendency to freeze up.
 
Old Oct 11, 2011 | 04:44 PM
  #10  
Nightpath's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Beginning Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 42
From: Canada
Nightpath is on a distinguished road
Default

Weird double post.

Anyways, I tried following the lines, they appear to go somewhere lol...what does the switch look like? And is it hard to get to/replace?

I've followed the lines, to a Y connector, then they sort of go over the transmission, then into something I can't get at without removing a drive shaft, etc.
 

Last edited by Nightpath; Oct 11, 2011 at 04:48 PM.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:46 AM.