I have an 03' 1500 Z71 that has been having some four wheel drive problems. It started with the service 4 wheel drive message coming on after I use 4 wheel drive and then randomly the truck would go into 4 low or into neutral when I would start it but it would been real sluggish. I would put it back into 2 wheel and it would be fine. I had the code read and it was the encoder motor. I didn't fix it right away because the 4 wheel drive would work fine. Well about 2 weeks ago I went to put the truck in 4 low and the light would come on but I didn't hear the clunk for the transfer case, put the truck in drive and it went no were. There is a noise coming from the t-case like the chain is rubbing inside or something. I thought that the encoder motor finally gave way I put a new one in this morning and I still can't get the truck to go into 4 low. It s doing the same thing that it was just without the service 4 wheel drive message on. When I take it out of low it clunks but not going in, and I still can't go any were. To throw another wrench in when I put the transfer case in neutral the truck I can still put the truck in drive and move. I don't know what
else it could be hoping someone can help or has had this problem before.
Thanks

 

it could be the actuator.

 

Did you figure it out? I have the same issue with my 04 2500.

 

Could be a corroded wire and bad pins. Just went through all the same things. Take it to a dealership.

 

how many litres of coolant are in a K1500 5.3L

 

i bought a new encoder ring but am waiting to see if anyone has found the fix. seems like ive read about lots of people doing work on the encoder motor but it never fixs the prob