Ist Gen 4WD issue. Indicator blinks, will NOT engage 4WD

Appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

Any clicks? Maybe try rocking the trucks back and forth while its blinking? Or try spinning the front driveshaft back and forth while its blinking.

 

@MansfieldTx most important question first: Was is ever working in the past? Also, is this for 4LO or 4HI?

 

pull fuse and try again. Mine did this before. IIRC the fix was simple. But it was a long time ago. Only happened once.

 

For a 2016, or a 2002 like the OP has?

 

Welcome....when was the last time you used it ?
As @Sirfive alluded to, can you hear an actuator make noise under truck.
Along with rocking, slowly go either forward or reverse while pressing 4HI

Once you get it going, need to remember to at least actuate 4WD on occasion. Personally it's hard for me to remember but I do try !

 

What he said ^^

OEM recommendation per the owner's manual is to make sure you engage 4HI for at least 10 miles per month. And OP's truck may differ from my '06, on mine there is a fuse for 4WD, but I've just never seen a 1st gen owner post about theirs blowing.

 

J/K

 

Kinda sorta, but not really.

(I'm guilty sometimes also)

 

It was an 06.

may she Rest In Peace

 

Guess we'll never hear back on this one...

 

Common problem. Probably an actuator. More likely the one on the front axle. But could be a number of contributors. Switch, actuator etc. you need a second person to listen and feel as you try to engage and see what happens to try and narrow down the problems.

 

Pull the whole axle and differential, easier to diagnose on a bench.

 

Jack up truck on 4 jack stands and observe if front driveshaft spins when placed in 4wd high.

If it does, suspect front diff 4wd actuator. People have banged on it with hammer to get working (supposedly). Not sure if easily opens up to clean.

If not, open transfer case 4wd actuator and clean out crap and corrosion for lack of use.

 

The crackhead thread has some good pics of the actuator. I dont remember if that was the tcase or add, but it’ll give you an idea of what its trying to do.