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2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

2000 suburban 4x4 will not engage

Old Jan 6, 2015 | 11:57 AM
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Exclamation 2000 suburban 4x4 will not engage

I have 2000 suburban k1500. My 4wd will not engage. Upon hitting button to switch from 2wd to either auto 4wd, 4lo or 4hi. Just light on switch will just blink and will not engage.. There is no service 4wd light on either.. All help is greatly appreciated.....
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Old Jan 6, 2015 | 12:51 PM
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My 01 gets a little wonky sometimes. Last time it happened, I treated it like a computer - reboot. Disconnected the battery, waited 10 minutes, reconnected it. Been working fine since. That was about 6 months ago.
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Old Jan 6, 2015 | 3:19 PM
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thanks intheburbs... will try that
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Old Jan 6, 2015 | 10:54 PM
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my 93 needed a new actuator, easy to change - no idea if that's an antique on your vehicle!
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Old Jan 7, 2015 | 12:55 PM
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Most times, inability is caused by non-use. Cases get very reluctant to change when they're not shifted on a fairly regular basis. I change to 4LO about once a month, and drive it a couple miles just to keep things stirred up. It's also good to change the Fluid out as OEM says, or, every couple years if it's low use for you.

Now, you might try a "rolling change".
Get going about 5 mph,
Shift into Neutral,
Press the mode button you wish.
I usually go into 4HI first, then 4LO, then reverse those steps to get back to 2WD.

As you nearly coast to a stop, it may engage.
If it doesn't, try this procedure over several times.
Just speed back up to 5mph, put it in Neutral and try it again.

If it still won't change, you might try just changing out the Fluid, then, do the procedure again. It's cheaper than tearing it down just to get the goop cleaned out.

Now, if you do get it to change, don't stop there !
Drive it a couple miles just to get the Fluid stirred up well.
Then, you need to change in and out of 4LO several times, to get things sliding good.
Then do it regularly !

Once you do get it to change, and hear a LOUD clunk when shifting back to 4HI or 2WD...
That just Chevy, don't worry about it

More tips about Chevy 4WD...

The Front Differential is a "Locker" when in 4WD.
That means it's harder to turn, and, you might hear some "chirping" from the front tires when turning, because they are locked together.

When you run through the gears, in 4LO the shift is VERY hard, just use a light throttle,
and you won't get a whiplash.

When in Auto 4WD, engagement can be rather sudden and unexpected,
so be expecting a "thrust" forward.

Again, these are just normal Chevy.

Last edited by SWHouston; Jan 10, 2015 at 12:13 AM.
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Old Jan 9, 2015 | 1:19 PM
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ive tried the battery off for 10 mins and changed the fluid. still will not engage into either auto 4wd 4hi or 4 lo
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Old Jan 9, 2015 | 2:35 PM
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Ok, but, have you tried the "roiling" procedure ?
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Old Jan 9, 2015 | 8:15 PM
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i tried the rolling procedure first but i am going to try it again since i changed the fluid... here in ohio we got a few inches of snow over past few days and its been kinda hard to try the rolling procedure so far....

Last edited by cburns002; Jan 9, 2015 at 8:18 PM.
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Old Jan 10, 2015 | 12:06 AM
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Umm, Ohio, I can see why you're interested in getting your 4WD to work
If you first don't succeed, then...

Last edited by SWHouston; Jan 10, 2015 at 12:15 AM.
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