03 tahoe auto 4wd issues

[rmk4ever]

I drove this thing the other day in the slush, had to engage the "auto" feature on it. That all worked fine, now when you drive it in 2 hi it sounds like the transfer case is trying to engage (slight metal on metal sound) & you can "feel it" underneath your feet. Anyone have this before, thinking it's the actuator on the TC or the switch itself is bad.

 

[fredster]

front axle actuator

The chevy's have a common problem with the front axle actuator, although most of the time they stick "open" and not closed. It could be yours is stuck closed and the axle is not disengaging.

Have you tried shifting from auto, to 4HI, then to neutral, 4LO and back? I would try cycling the xfer case through all the choices and see if it goes back to normal then.

Also on the older auto transfer cases they uses a specific fluid, definitely time for a change if it's never been done before...might help.

Good luck.

 

[vshockey10]

Talking from experience make sure you address the issue as it could be dangerous as I found out the hard way. I was backing my boat down the launch when I thought it was in 4x4.. It never locked in and I lost the chev down the boat launch. Worst birthday ever

 

[ezra]

Any video of that we could all use a good laugh at your expense

 

[catalac]

I drove this thing the other day in the slush, had to engage the "auto" feature on it. That all worked fine, now when you drive it in 2 hi it sounds like the transfer case is trying to engage (slight metal on metal sound) & you can "feel it" underneath your feet. Anyone have this before, thinking it's the actuator on the TC or the switch itself is bad.

Funny you say this, because yesterday my wife called me from work and said she wanted me to bring my truck and take her Trailblazer. Said the four wheel drive was acting funny and was stuck in 4 low.
It took abit of messing with the switch, going from 2 high to 4 high. Still didn't work right. Then I put the tranny in nuetral and hit the switch, and it worked fine. Has been good since. ??

PS. Ezra, your so nice! Lol.

 

[garyl62]

Talking from experience make sure you address the issue as it could be dangerous as I found out the hard way. I was backing my boat down the launch when I thought it was in 4x4.. It never locked in and I lost the chev down the boat launch. Worst birthday ever

Any video of that we could all use a good laugh at your expense

I'm thinking the same thing!

 

[vshockey10]

I'm thinking the same thing!

No video sorry.

 

[fast325it]

You'll likely find the answer here:

http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/

I just sold my 2003 Tahoe with 235,000 miles on it and referenced that site very often. I agree with fredster, it sounds like the actuator. In my experience of not using 4wd over the summer and then desperately needing it come first big snowfall I would finally get it to shift into 4wd by coasting in neutral at <1mph and then selecting 4wd.

 

[toby1]

i have seen a few of the push button pads go bad .they will lock in 4 and then 2 then work fine for awhile .the controler is easy to change and can be picked up at napa for around $80 .but i have also seen the actuators on the transfer case and the front dif cause the same problem .good luck.

 

[snowfreak56]

Talking from experience make sure you address the issue as it could be dangerous as I found out the hard way. I was backing my boat down the launch when I thought it was in 4x4.. It never locked in and I lost the chev down the boat launch. Worst birthday ever

Just curious...If you lost it backing Down the ramp why would this be a 4X4 issue ? Sounds more like a brake issue or driver error.But it still stinks that things ended up in the drink that should not have.

 

[anonomoose]

Oh, oh....let me answer this one for him.

Shift into 4 expecting traction aplenty, and all you get is traction over the lighter half of the truck...and tho the rear wheels go foreword, the truck keeps going backwards with gravity taking over on a slippery slim covered ramp. End result....truck in the water and everyone yucking it up except YOU.

These machines need to be punched into and out of 4 wheel drive often. Manual says once per month.....keeps things working. Forget about it and once you do need it don't be surprised that it won't work. Back in the day, you reached down and shifted her in..now we have actuators which are like women who....well, you know...use it or lose it. Never mind!

 

[rmk4ever]

It was the actuator, broke open & was filled with gunk. Anonomoose, use it or loose it! Thats great. For sure now every month, will be shifting in & out.

 

[dakota]

It was the actuator, broke open & was filled with gunk. Anonomoose, use it or loose it! Thats great. For sure now every month, will be shifting in & out.

i had a Tahoe maybe a year or two older than this that had a similar problem. That model year had a thermal switch to move the actuator, not sure if yours is the same. Essentially a bi-metal spring that heated when hit the slector and would move the actuator. these go bad frequently. i replaced mine with a vacuum settup that was more reliable and also shifted quicker without the delay you get with the thermal switch. worked great after that. don't remeber who made it but it was fairly inexpensive and easy to install.