Chevy 4 Wheel Drive Does Not Engage

2004 Truck. Engine Size : 5.7 liter Question: 4x4 not working . Does not switch over when I try to engage it.

It would help if you mentioned the make and model of your vehicle, and if you have electronic 4WD, or have to shift it into 4WD manually. If it's electronic, you could have a bad switch, or a bad actuator on the front axle. Either electronic or manual, you could have a mechanical failure inside the front axle housing that is causing it not to engage into 4WD, like broken gears or axles, mis-aligned parts, etc.

If the problem is with the transfer case, you could have a bad encoder motor or a mechanical failure inside the transfer case. On the electronically controlled systems, there is a main control module that could be bad as well. You're best bet is to get it to a shop for diagnosis.


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  • Guest - Jessica

    2004 Silverado replaced 4x4 switch and it didn’t help, the 4x4 lights flickers but won’t lock into 4x4. It used to work fine but one day just stopped. Any help would be GREATLY Appreciated

  • Guest - Clayton

    93 Silverado Z71 when I get ready to engage the manual shift 4wd it want engage.

  • Guest - ANNA FIORI

    2003 chev silv 1500

  • Guest - Glenn T

    I have a 96 silverado. 4wd wont engage, I have replaced the actuator on front axle and on transmission. You can hear it like it engaged but front end wont lock. Any help would be appericated. Thanks

  • Guest - Paul c

    Four-wheel-drive system solved ......... I have a 1992 Chevy 2500 pick up . All wheel drive was not working . I have no power to my 4 Wheel drive fuse . Also the four-wheel-drive . Also there is no power to the front actuator while shifted into four-wheel-drive . Diagnose the problem . There is a pressure switch on the transfer case. Location is on the transfer case . On the top . Right by the front driveline going to the front of the differential . You’ll see two sensors there the one closest to the driveline is the one you want on top Of the transfer case . Replace this switch you will have power going to the fuse and to the front actuator . If you blow your fuse after replacing this switch replace your front transfer case actuator

  • Guest - Shane

    05 GMC Z71 will not shift into 4wd while the engine is running. I’ve swapped the push button control, ft diff actuator and TCM. You can hear the encoder motor on the transfer case shifting while engine is not running.

  • Guest - PERRY MARTIN

    i have a 1999 2500 silverado it wont go into 4wd with weight on wheels i checked fuses, acuator, put new transfer case motor in, checked acuator fork in the front axel, checked ground wire under drivers door, jack up put in 4wd everything works, go down road and have no front 4wd what else can i do

  • Guest - James Wade Anderson

    I have a 95 gmc and it won't go into 4weel drive fuse is good and the actuator is good and the motor is good no noise. And the 4weel drive light won't came on. Any idea what it could be wrong.

  • Guest - Paul c

    In reply to: Guest - James Wade Anderson

    If you have no power going to the fuse . Replace the transfer case pressure switch. Answer is located on the transfer case on top right by the front driveline going to the front differential. To be clear this pressure switch is on top of the transfer case right by the front driveline . It is not the rear one replace the front transfer case switch . You will need to know if it is a two wire or a three wire they’ll ask you at AutoZone .This part will only cost you around $20 this fix my problem . There is two four-wheel-drive fuses the AC/fuse and also the four-wheel-drive fuse .Replace that sensor and your four-wheel-drive will start working

  • Guest - Paul c

    In reply to: Guest - James Wade Anderson

    Yes do you have power to the fuse . If there is no power to the fuse replace the transfer case press or switch.This pressure switch is common and it goes bad. I just fix my friends truck I replace the switch in the four-wheel-drive now is working. If you have no power going to the fuse replace the transfer case switch .You’ll need to know if it is a three wire or a two wire you can buy the part at AutoZone for $20

  • Guest - Greg

    2007 Sierra no warning lights on dash for 4x4,turn knob to lo and can hear it kick in, but still not in 4x4.

  • Guest - Jason

    Have a 2004 Chevy 2500 gasser with a manual 4 by 4 shifter. Front axle is not engaging 4 wheel drive, replaced actuator and can hear it working but still no 4 wheel drive

  • Guest - Glenn T

    In reply to: Guest - Jason

    I have a 96 Silverado. I have replaced the actuator on the front axle and the model on the Transfer case. You can hear it like its going into 4wd, but doesn't. Any help would be greatly appreicated.

  • Guest - Darren

    2004 Chevy 4 Wheel Drive Does Not Engage no switch lights

  • Guest - Mike

    In reply to: Guest - Darren

    Sounds like a bad switch to me

  • Guest - Ryan

    For what it's worth my 2000 chevy 2500 wouldn't go into 4 high . I replaced actuator and illumination switch on t case . Still didn't work but 4 low did
    What ever is in the t case to push up the ball on the bottom of the sensor was worn . I put a dab of mig weld on the bottom of the sensor to make it longer works good now

  • Guest - jaybo

    i have a 2002 3/4 ton hd crew cab chevy all my lights on my push button stay on and its stuck in 4 high

  • Guest - jaybo

    I have 2002 3/4 t0n on my push button all the lights stay on and its stuck in 4 high anybody know how I can fix it

  • Guest - corbett

    2012 chevy silverado 3500 diesel feeding hay the other day turn dial to 4x4 lit up worked fine but when you really get on it ,it will kick out of 4x4 won't engaged back in till you stop the truck any ideas out there

  • Guest - Meco Love

    its a 2004 chevy suburban

  • Guest - Meco Love

    my 4 wheel drive want work..when i push the button for the 4 wheel drive. it blinks for atleast 15 seconds and cuts off

  • Guest - MoBaldeagle

    My 2003 3/4 ton Silverado won't engage in 4 high. The light will come on and then goes back out,it goes in 4 low OK but won't stay in 4 high. It's a 6.0 with a shift lever for the 4 wheel drive. My email is rnz52@yahoo.com if anyone has an answer!

  • Guest - Ralph

    i have a 2005 chevy silverado 4wheel drive. wont go in 4wheel drive when i push the button ,

  • Guest - Vicki Lynn Ames

    In reply to: Guest - Ralph

    I got a 2006 chevy durmax HD 2500 Sierra and my 4x4 wheel drive stopcworkin but it still click in but drive shaft won't turn what could it be

  • Guest - jimmy

    1999 chevy Silverado automatic trans push button 4x4 control I put trans in 4 wheel drive and the indicator light says it is in 4 wheel drive but it is not

  • Guest - Tom

    In reply to: Guest - jimmy

    Possible bad transfer case control module or the actuator on the transfer case or front differential not working.

  • Guest - Vicki Lynn Ames

    In reply to: Guest - Tom

    Where the trader case control module and actuator located

  • Guest - Jeff

    2011 GMC trucks four wheel drive stopped working electric automatic lock in four wheel drive service light came on spend the dial does not acknowledge full drive

  • Guest - carl

    I have a 1993 chevy truck k2500 5.7L automatic 4x4. My 4wd works only in 4wd high but for some reason does not work in 4wd Lo. Lights go on when shift into 4wd Lo but does not engage.

  • Guest - kevin

    why a 1997 gmc yukon wont go in 4 wheel drive dont work in high

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