4 Wheel Drive Problems

[92BlueZ71]

What are the common problems in the 88-94 year range that cause 4 wheel drive failure if any? Were there any major recalls of any kind or just common problems to expect or look for? Being that its a Chevy i dont expect problems but then again you never can tell.

[gmtech]

As far as I can remember no major problems the old manualy shufted 4x4 are better than the new push button ones. The only thing I can remember was the front diferential actuator. The round cylinder type thing that screws into the front diferentail if it was all metal it is the old design and if it was plastic it had been replaced. The old design that came in them used what they called electro chemical actuator ( meaning that when power and ground where supplied to the actuator it would swell and get hard if you will push the gear in the front dif to engage 4x4 in the front dif) When they got old they did not want to get hard to actuate the front dif anymore or it would take a long time. They came out with a kit to make it the new design with new harness and actuator that engages instantly. Other than that no common problems. I had a 94 silverado and had to install the new actuator almost got stuck on the beach in NC.

[chevyguy]

Same info. I have had several acurator go out on my last truck, i put a manual cable actualtor system on it and it worked every time from then on. My 93 hasnt failed to actuate yet.

[92BlueZ71]

well the truck im gettin i think the 4wheel drive doesnt work or somethin to that effect and i was wondering what the leading cause is in them to not work. to just replace the actuator how much money am i looking at. which would you recommend to put back the plain replacement or the cable actuator??? and how much work is the cable actuator to put in?

[chevyguy]

The cable actuator is just one repair method. I spent about 100 bucks I think, but never had a problem with it again. I would suspect the actuator is bad if the 4x4 doesnt work. Thats where I would start looking

[gmtech]

Its pretty easy to check the front actuator. Just unplug the 2 wire connector have truck key on in 4x4 and check for power and ground across the connector if you have power and ground unscrew the actuator with a big cresent wrench or channel lock pliers plug actuator in and see if it extends if not needs one. I don't know about the cable actuator but the replacement new design actuator requires a harness to be replaced/wired in.

[capettit]

I just bought a 98 k1500 4x4, a week ago and of coarse it decided to snow for the first time this year and it will not go into four wheel drive. I've taken the actuator out, watched the actuator go in and out as I pulled the shifter, put it back in and it will still not go into four wheel drive. The actuator is the plastic one and is spring loaded. Is there an upgrade to this one, or is the manual system the fix?

[gmtech]

When you removed the plastic actuator was there a round with 2 flat ends piece of metal left in the tube that the actuator presses on or not. The oild style metal actuator was longer and when you replace that style actuator you have to install this spacer in order for the new plastic actuator to work.