Tow button on the end of the gear shift

[trx680]

I just bough a 2001 2500hd. I have a question. The gear shift has a button on the end. I'm assuming that when you press this if kicks the tranny into a lower gear for towing. But when I press it it does nothing. No lights come on the instrument panel, no change in the tranny.

Something I'm doing wrong?

[crabtruck]

Not super familiar with them, but I believe it only "does something" at hiway speeds.
Think it has another effect I can't think of right now besides preventing OD.
Somebody will know.

[mbean50]

check the wire at the bottom of the shift lever all the way to the connector you will have to pull out the rubber gromet at the bottom of the lever. these wires brake often

[leolkfrm]

if you press and hold it for a couple of seconds, the no overdrive light should come on.....a short press and a tow mode light should come on. Have you checked to se if there are any codes stored? if none of this is happening...as bean mentioned look for a break or open in the wire. Remember that the core may be broke but not the insulation so continuity would be a good test

[bradrhale]

mine takes a few seconds to actually activate. it doesnt just go straight into tow mode which is nothing more than no overdrive.

[leolkfrm]

mine is 2 different modes, 1 is no overdrive, the other is a change of shift point for both upshift and downshift.....5 speed allision

[mbean50]

Originally Posted by mbean50

check the wire at the bottom of the shift lever all the way to the connector you will have to pull out the rubber gromet at the bottom of the lever. these wires brake often

also if you can see that its connected go ahead and unplug it and plug it back in. that may be reset it

[ChevyMan65]

Did you look in your owners manual? There is a wealth of information in there that most of us tend to overlook. CM65

[hotrodpc]

Yours may be differant since its the HD, but as long as your Tow/Haul lights on the dash its working. All that does in the 1500's is change the shift points and locks out the converter from being able to lock up. You will still have OD in T/H mode, just no converter lock up. Starting from a dead stop and a normal take off in T/H mode, you'll notice the shifts are out a bit further, and maybe a tad bit firmer shift. Thats all it does. Again, yours may be differant since its a 2500 HD. As suggested, your manual may have more info as far as how to operate it, but I doubt it'll explain how it works. Then also as mentioned, it is common for the wire to break at the end of the shift lever behind the boot where it goes into the column. An easy fix from what I been told.

[junkbox]

Same thing happend with my 2004 2500HD. I pulled the plastic pieces that surround the steering column and there is a orange coated wire that runs up the column and up to the button. I stripped it back and hooked the wires back up and it seems to be working fine now. Also it is a orange coated wire but that is just the coating there is two wires inside of that. Hope this helps!