2001 Tahoe will not come out of 4WD LOW after brake job
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
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2001 Tahoe will not come out of 4WD LOW after brake job
Hi!
1st post to this forum. I'm probably an "old fart" to most of you here (turning 71 soon!). Retired and on fixed income; so, brought Tahoe in for maintenance & was told starting cost $1,000.00 minimum up to $3K+. Can't afford that, so took two weeks & slowly replaced rusted brake lines, replaced pads, bled brakes with new fluid, etc.
To get Tahoe up onto ramps (yes, working on the ground outside! - no garage available; and, in northern Minnesota with heavy wet miserable snow forecast for tonight), I had to initially put it into 4WD LOW to climb front wheels up without skidding ramps. Now, after all work done, it refuses to come out of 4WD LOW. Yes, it's in neutral when trying to shift back to HI - have done this many times before!.
It now refuses to go to either 4WD HI or normal 2WD; just stays in 4WD LOW with relays cycling, but no indication of transfer case LOW/HI shift electric motor activity (the usual "clunking" doesn't occur). Did not disconnect anything electrical dealing with the 4WD. Maybe?? - bumped some wiring loom in process of replacing brake lines to ABS module/pump on frame outside under drivers seat, but absolutely nothing looks out of place or disturbed. I'm experience in electrical maintenance & electronics manufacturing engineering (some 50 years worth); and, have done my own auto work for years including complete engine overhauls, etc. I don't have any electrical schematic drawings for this vehicle, however.
Anybody have a copy of the wiring diagrams to share with me? Any other ideas? Other suggestions. Really need it back soon, as it's our only transportation from country into town; and, am presently using grandson's 4-wheels 'till I get the Tahoe going - it's becoming urgent for us.
Not on internet continually; so, will check back in a few hours & after.
Regards, JLB
1st post to this forum. I'm probably an "old fart" to most of you here (turning 71 soon!). Retired and on fixed income; so, brought Tahoe in for maintenance & was told starting cost $1,000.00 minimum up to $3K+. Can't afford that, so took two weeks & slowly replaced rusted brake lines, replaced pads, bled brakes with new fluid, etc.
To get Tahoe up onto ramps (yes, working on the ground outside! - no garage available; and, in northern Minnesota with heavy wet miserable snow forecast for tonight), I had to initially put it into 4WD LOW to climb front wheels up without skidding ramps. Now, after all work done, it refuses to come out of 4WD LOW. Yes, it's in neutral when trying to shift back to HI - have done this many times before!.
It now refuses to go to either 4WD HI or normal 2WD; just stays in 4WD LOW with relays cycling, but no indication of transfer case LOW/HI shift electric motor activity (the usual "clunking" doesn't occur). Did not disconnect anything electrical dealing with the 4WD. Maybe?? - bumped some wiring loom in process of replacing brake lines to ABS module/pump on frame outside under drivers seat, but absolutely nothing looks out of place or disturbed. I'm experience in electrical maintenance & electronics manufacturing engineering (some 50 years worth); and, have done my own auto work for years including complete engine overhauls, etc. I don't have any electrical schematic drawings for this vehicle, however.
Anybody have a copy of the wiring diagrams to share with me? Any other ideas? Other suggestions. Really need it back soon, as it's our only transportation from country into town; and, am presently using grandson's 4-wheels 'till I get the Tahoe going - it's becoming urgent for us.
Not on internet continually; so, will check back in a few hours & after.
Regards, JLB
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hi, again.
I got it! Info. from another internet post suggested "rocking" shift lever back & forth a bit between N - R - N - D - N..., etc. That worked: Apparently my neutral position sensor switch is somehow "flakey" - likely a little surface corrosion on switch contacts from very low use. Now I know!
Could still use wiring diagrams, if anyone has available.
Regards, JLB
I got it! Info. from another internet post suggested "rocking" shift lever back & forth a bit between N - R - N - D - N..., etc. That worked: Apparently my neutral position sensor switch is somehow "flakey" - likely a little surface corrosion on switch contacts from very low use. Now I know!
Could still use wiring diagrams, if anyone has available.
Regards, JLB
CF Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Hi JLB, welcome to the forum. I'm glad you got the problem resolved and posted what you found. I'm sure it will help someone else out. I don't have any 2001 Tahoe schematics, but in looking through my 20012 Tahoe schematics, they go on for pages and pages and are split up in sections. It would not be an easy task to scan and email them. I'm sure someone must have an electronic copy of them around here.....
CF Monarch
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,605
Likes: 269
From: USA
Hi, again.
I got it! Info. from another internet post suggested "rocking" shift lever back & forth a bit between N - R - N - D - N..., etc. That worked: Apparently my neutral position sensor switch is somehow "flakey" - likely a little surface corrosion on switch contacts from very low use. Now I know!
Could still use wiring diagrams, if anyone has available.
Regards, JLB
I got it! Info. from another internet post suggested "rocking" shift lever back & forth a bit between N - R - N - D - N..., etc. That worked: Apparently my neutral position sensor switch is somehow "flakey" - likely a little surface corrosion on switch contacts from very low use. Now I know!
Could still use wiring diagrams, if anyone has available.
Regards, JLB
I recall some of the automatic locking hubs required you to shift into 2WD, then back up 20 feet of so. My old Jeep had Warn manual locking hubs, so it wasn't an issue.
