"4WD SERVICE NOW" code on DIC...Help

[sievz7]

Guys,

See the sig for vehicle....

My wife called me yesterday and said that as she was pulling into the babysitter's drive way, the Hoe flashed the aformentioned code across the DIC.

A little background....I live in the midwest and we've had light snow off and on for the last two weeks. Since my wife drives our Hoe 95% of the time, and she doesn't always know when to use 4 Hi or 2WD, I told her to just put it in Auto and not worry about it (assuming that as long as conditions were dry, it would run 2WD no problems).

Back to the story. Her words were "I barely made it into the driveway." You know how this goes....my wife is a smart lady, but knows nothing about cars or anything mechanical, and to get her to describe what actually happened isn't always easy.

I asked if the engine died and she said "No, it just got harder to push the gas."

Here's what I'm thinking.....either the engine de-rates when it sees a potentially major failure/code, or I have a bearing/transfer case/CV shaft issue.

When she left she put the car in 2wd and said it seemed to drive fine. I have yet to actually drive it, but just wanted to see if anyone had a similar experience. Sorry for writing a novel, just like to give all the details.

 

[UofMZ71]

I have never had the "4WD service" code flash up on the DIC, but i have had the red park "BRAKE" light not go off and worried me then recently I went over some rough railroad tracks and my truck told me to service the traction control. No issue with it being sluggish, but was kind of annoying. So i ignored it for the few miles home and the few miles later that day, but the next day i turned on the car and it was gone, like it fixed itself. So maybe let it sit for a minute or a little while and see if the problem still exists and if so i would take it into the dealer or maybe call them and see if they have had similar problems.

 

[badtothe bone]

You took the time to get on the internet to ask for help, yet it didn't occur to you to drive it to a garage - even a transmission garage and have it looked at.

The problem is probably not with the bearings, because there is no little mechanic built inside of your transmission / transfer case = with a little oil can in his hand that just stands there and looks at every thing and tells you when you have a problem.

Your problem is electronic / mechanical and could possibly become mechanical if you drive it long enough.

My very first question to someone that gets scared is - have you ever had your transfer case fluid changed?

Inside of the transfer case there is a green fluid that pours like water.
It lubricates the internal mechanisms inside of the transfer case.

There is clutches inside of the transfer case, the same clutches they used in the TH 400 and other transmissions since 1965. There is shift motors and other electronic devices which has to work in order for everything to work the way they were designed. Even a shift motor on the front axle.

Take it to a garage and have them look at it for you.

Remember Joe's garage on the corner is not a transmission shop and probably will not be able to help you. The Chevrolet Garage will have all the diagnostic tools and can help you, but they are going to charge you as much as or more then the transmission shop would charge to fix your truck, but in the long run it is worth it to have the repairs done right the first time.

Going to the Jiffy Lube once in a while to get your oil changed is OK, and changing your own oil to save a couple of dollars is OK. But if you forgot to change your fluids at a regular interval, you can expect problems.

Even at that, with all the junk that GM built over the years, you can still expect to have problems even if you did keep a watchful eye on everything.

The symptom that bothers me the most is when I hear of people who shut their truck off and when they started it up the next time, the transfer case shifted into low range and would not come out.

That's not a good thing.

 

[Zed 71]

Maybe she had it in 4lo. Some one posted an experience where they were driving and accidently put in in 4lo. Since they were at speed, 4lo did not engage until they came to a stop. Once they pulled away, 4lo engaged and they noted the truck would not get up to speed and you had to push the gas pedal more (compared to normal).

Now if you did not know it was in 4lo at the time, it would seem like there was something wrong with the truck. As far as the 4WD Service light, depending on how far/hard and if there were any turns on pavement, it will be tough on the truck.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[sievz7]

Thanks for the replies, excluding the condescending ones from Marving the Martian....(I am well aware of everything you stated....some of us, while not mechanics, are mechanically inclined).

The reason I chose to "get on the internet and ask for help" and had "not occurred to take it to a garage" is that given my work schedule/responsibilities at home/and many other factors of which I will not bore you with, I simply haven't had the time. Now, on to the issue....

I called my dealer immediately, and they offered absolutely no insight. I am well aware that issues can rarely be fixed over the phone, but this guy was beyond un-interested.

Zed 71, I am pretty sure that it was not in 4Lo, but can't say for certain since I wasn't driving it. I do understand what you are saying though. Once she put it back in 2wd, it was fine, and hasn't acted up since monday. (she drives less than 10 miles a day) I'm hoping to get a chance to drive it tonight, but thought I would try and get some insight and see if anyone else has experienced anything similar.

Thanks again to those who responded.

 

[KMeloney]

Hey Siev! Where've you been? I still have those pics you sent me of your truck with the OEM Esky wheels. Great looking truck. (Thanks again!)

I haven't had this problem (yet?), but have seen the "service 4wd..." light question asked a lot lately. And, upon my sister heading up here for Christmas in the snow, her 4wd (in her '07 Sub) wouldn't engage, and she got the same message in the DIC.

The Chevy dealership said it was a bad "actuator" (sounds like a solenoid or something to me), and that was keeping the 4wd from engaging. What I DON'T know is whether she had any other feeling of mechanical problems associated with the message.

I'll see if I can find links to other messages about the DIC message...

/< / /2 /<

PS -- Yeah, Bad, what was that all about? He clearly said it was his wife's car and that he hadn't even had a chance to drive it yet. What's wrong with him checking things out here in the meantime?

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

Siev -- Try this link:

http://chevroletforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28834&highlight=service+message

Not sure if your problem will be solved by the discussion, but it sounds like some others have your same exact problem. You can compare notes.

 

[sievz7]

KMeloney,

Thanks for the info....that link to chevyforum was helpful....I just probably need to keep an eye on it and see what happens. It doesn't sound like something that is going to be easy to pin-point, for myself or a dealer.

That figures though, since we are supposed to get 6 inches of snow tonight!!!

Thanks again for the help.

 

[KMeloney]

No problem. Hope you get it figured out soon.

 

[blaqout]

I just posted the same issue. I did take mine to the dealership and they checked it out and said the computer just needed to be reset since they serviced the entire truck prior to me purchasing it a week ago, and since it was under warranty too monitor it closely for any ongoing issues. I only had one reply to my question though, you must be well liked. LOL! Anyway, good luck with that, from what I gathered unless it stays on you are probably OK.

 

[sievz7]

I started this thread a while ago, but since I did just get the issue resolved, I thought I would share. Once again, we got a bit of snow here so my wife was driving in 4HI and Auto. She said the same code came up, so I called a different dealer (the 1st one didn't even care to help). I had some other little odds and ends to have checked, so I took it in.

They said there was a code stored in the cpu and that the transfer case needed a software update. Apparently there is a GM bulletin out on this, so if anyone else has issues, ask your dealer to search for the bulletin. Hope this helps.

sievz7