4WD Not Working, Plus Dash Light always on

Dash is apart switch is out I do not see any bent prongs and I do not see any cut wires the switch feels like it’s clicking and popping as it should. I guess should I replace this first and go from there seems to be the most economical part

 

Not the switch, the module. It’s behind the glovebox or kick panel on the passenger side, can’t recall exactly. I thought your first post mentioned the mechanic saying he plugged it back in but did that mean this or the dash rotary switch. This thing is right down there around the blower motor area.

 

Well, then it would be the module, which is what you have in the picture. I thought it was the rotary switch that he unplugged.

He did say module and yes he had to move it to get to the blower motor so I guess I need to check that

thanks for all your help

 

You’re very welcome. Here’s a screenshot from YT showing it, and this is a description someone posted on another forum: “Removed the glove box and lowered the lower panel which holds the 4wd module and another module.“ IIRC, the other module is for the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring).

Hoping you find the solution at the module.

 

First thing to check when dash light go crazy is the gas cap. Any scanner can find P0457.
If that is not the issue, then most likely you have a bad actuator, it could be the front ADD, or the transfer case actuator. None of those are going to show in scanner, this is to be diagnosed by somebody with some knowledge of how this 4x4 work. I have repaired myself a couple.

 

Blue sky07
I found my module. All I had to do was lower the panel under the glove box. The plugs and the pens in the module. All look good I’m gonna guess it’s the module
I’ve tried changing the switch in neutral I’ve tried driving it forward, driving it backwards. None of that seems to help disengage it.

 

What a bummer. Had my fingers crossed that it would be something simple at the module. Seems unlikely to be a coincidence that there was work done down there and then the 4WD trouble started. I’m out of suggestions.

 

Blue sky 07

that was my thoughts exactly, I’m wondering if for some reason maybe it shorted out when he either disconnected or reconnected it
But I don’t know how to check a module, a new one is $500 so I’m wondering do I take a chance on buying a used one hoping that it’s good and see if that’s the problem

thanks for all the help!!

 

it may take a day or two, but I have the service manual and will look to see if there’s anything about troubleshooting the four-wheel-drive and or the module.

 

Blue sky 07
When I’m sitting in the vehicle, and everything is quiet when I turn the transfer case switch going up from H2-H4 I hear the control module click when I go to L4
It doesn’t click.

 

This is the first thing that came up when I searched the FSM for "4WD." Hope the mechanic followed it.



This may be what the Car Care Nut talks about in his video on how 4WD works, where the actuator moves a bit but then the computer gets confused and doesn't know whether it's engaged or disengaged. He says what it takes to fix but I don't recall at the moment. I linked that video in post #3 of this thread. I attached a couple of diagnosis docs from the manual as well. Hope this helps.

 

I hope this help you figure it out.

 

That doc is amazing, thanks for sharing it.

 

@Morris - have you had any luck with this?

 

Blue sky 07
I did not have any luck on my own. I took it to another mechanic he didn’t have any luck. I spoke to a mechanic in my hometown and he told me that when the module is disconnected a lot of times it Hass to be reprogrammed. I will be looking into this aspect tomorrow.
I will update you as to how it goes. Thanks for all your help.

 

You’re very welcome. Hope it eventually works out. Something to keep in mind - people are often parting out 4th Gens on FB Marketplace and such. Maybe see if you can snag another module at a reasonable cost. To my knowledge, there’s nothing vehicle-specific to where another one wouldn’t be plug and play but confirm that before you lay out any money.

I feel for you being stuck in a money pit with this thing.

 

Blue sky 07
I did look up and get another module for 40 bucks +22 shipping
I’m gonna try that if not, I found a mechanic here in Kingston Springs that is pretty sure it just needs to be reprogrammed. He stated he has dealt with this issue before. I’m looking at about $300.
Outside of this it really hasn’t been that bad. It’s been a very good very reliable vehicle. Thanks again and have a great day.!!!

 

Thanks for the update. Hope one or the other of those potential fixes solves the problem.

 

That module is not reprogrammable.

 

Most of the times this fault is due to internal A.D.D, or transfercase motor leads are corroded. Common fix is to pull them of and weld them, but you have to time everything for it to work again.

 

Libugai
Blue sky07

so it turns out that it was the actuator
I wound up taking it to a mechanic, here in Kingston Springs they contacted their guy for programming. He checked everything and said it didn’t need it so they started going through one step at a time checking each component.
They’ve ordered the actuator. They’ll have it in one day next week and I will be good to go. Thank you guys for all your advice and help.

 

Fingers crossed that it’s solved once and for all.

 

Blue sky 07
So once this mechanic delved into it a little further, basically the two push rods that the actuator move into the transfer case, had to be unlodged.

Check everything out. Test drove it. I’ve switched it into high four and low four a couple of times it’s going in and out as it should. Everything is functioning properly.


Thanks for all your help and input

 

That’s great news. Glad it finally worked out. Be sure to work it through the 4WD modes about once a month. The manual says drive it in 4HI for ~10 miles and then briefly cycle through the modes. Directions should be on the back side of the sun visor.

 

Blue sky 07
Me too!!

I will do that, I have the original manual as well. Thanks for the info!!!