the 4x4 on my 97 doesnt work right and i am stumped on how to fix it. i have checked all fuses, nothing blown. i checked the motor straight to a battery, worked fine. i didnt see any obvious vaccum problems but that doesnt mean thats not the problem. i heard somewhere about a control unit that has a flashing indicator light or something. can somebody elaboraet on this for me? my only other option is to take it to a mechanic

 

Do you have manual shift or electronic?? 9/10 times the arm is seized in the housing on the front axle. Looking at the axle from the front there is a plastic cover over the vacuum actuator on the axle to the left of the pumkin , pull one one or two of the bolts so you can see the actuator arm. Have someone put it in 4x4 while you are under there looking at it and see if its moving the arm. If its not unplug the vacuum line and make sure its getting vacuum, and /or try to pry the lever over while its in 4x4 and see if it moves ok. check that out first and reply

 

its electronic. already tried that and it moved fine. ill try unpluging the line and checking for vacuum

 

does you're front driveshaft spin when in 4x4??, need to fig out if you have a transfer case prob of front diff problem. Sometimes the fork in the front axle will break the tabs off so it can't shift the collar over to actually engage the axle.

 

i was able to get the t-case into low range but the front axle wont engage and the t-case works intermittently. i got it into low range but then i had to take the shift motor off and manually shift it back to 2wd.

 

huh sounds like maybe a gem module or wiring issue. Hard to say much with out pulling dtc's from the gem and seeing whats going on. Do you're 4x4 lights come on when you put it in? PM me yer vin and I will check a few things for ya

 

pm sent. the light came on when i got it to go into low range that one time but other than that, its like the switch is bad. im sure the switch is good and the light comes on at startup and shuts off like normal. how much is a new GEM? i heard somewhere like $500. if thats the case i will just get one from a junkyard. also, where is the GEM located?

 

I have seen a few switchs go bad, when it went into 4x4 was teh indicator light dim?? I sent you a pm w a tsb for a possible problem there.. The gem module is on the backside of the interior fuse panel ( left side of dash ) Do you have a volt meter to test the 4x4 sw to see if you are getting a signal ??

 

i forgot that i already tested the switch with a volt meter and everything was fine. the indicator light was normal, not dim. ill check out the pm and get back to you on it. is there any kind of reset button for the gem module? i might try disconnecting it and reconnecting it and see if that helps anything.

 

Ktmboyz can you PM me that tsb my 4X4 is having the same problem. Green machine did you find anything out.