4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

So I got my 88 3/4 ton 350 4x4 up and running thanks to all of you on this forum.
Winter is knocking on the door, so today I tried to engage the 4 wheel drive to make sure it works (I have not needed or tried to put it in 4 wheel drive for several years). The light did not come on, and I could just tell it wasnt engaging. It has always taken its time getting into 4 wheel drive, and Ive heard some years after '88 they changed the actuator to a better one.
I recently had the axle seals replaced by a shop, could that have anything to do with it? Maybe something got broke on accident? Should I start with the actuator? The switch on the t case?
So far all Ive done is ruled out a bad 4x4 light bulb :lol: Any suggustions on where I should start? Thanks :chevy:

Re: 4x4 not engaging
 

If your truck is equipped with one, I would say actuator. This was a common item to sell for us at the parts store I worked in. We probably sold the Chevy actutor about once a week in the cooler months. If you have a meter, unhook the actutor under the truck and make sure it is getting power.

Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

Thanks bwood, I'll check that first.

Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

Do yourself a favor and get one of these and never deal with actuator problems again. This is basically the same concept as the old locking front hubs but cable operated from inside the cab. Plus it gives you the use of 2wd low range which is useful for backing up trailers or doing smokey burnouts.

http://4x4posi-lok.com/app_chevy-k.html

Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

I`ve been patiently waiting for 4wd in my truck since it was new in`92.I`ve just never gotten around to doing anything about it.Those manual activators are the bee`s knees.

Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

Remember when I said I had the axle seals done at a shop and wondered if that could have something to do with it? Well I got under the truck yesterday and discovered that the 2 electrical connections where the actuator connects to were both unhooked. Not only that, but the actuator wire was smashed and sandwiched between the axle and the frame, making it impossible to reconnect it with out jacking up the truck. Sigh. Im hoping they own up to it and replace the actuator. Thanks for all your help. The posi-lok system looks great but more than I will probably do right now. I just need it to work before it starts snowing.

Re: 4x4 not engaging from the 88-98 forum
 

Glad you found that.They ought to back it up.Seems pretty obvious to me they did it.That`s bad enough.Not owning up would make me pass on that shop in the future.