4WD Switch?

[Snowfish Blue]

Hey all,

I have a 2006 Yukon XL 1500 SLT. After a very short drive today (under 2 miles) I realized that the 4WD panel wasn't lit up on 2. I've hit the 4hi accidentally on occasion, but that wasn't lit either. What was lit was the Red N. So the truck drives fine. It's been driving fine for months. No weird noises, no grinding, no trouble throwing it into reverse, drive, park. Just it's showing as Neutral. I love this truck and am hoping to not have to to do anything terribly complicated with it. Am I looking at a simple selector switch replacement?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Martinjmpr]

What happens when you push the buttons. Does it continue to show N?

 

[Snowfish Blue]

Ah, sorry. When I pushed for 2wd or 4hi, the yellow light on those buttons flashed for 15 seconds or so, then stopped, remained unlit, with the N staying red. (also no weird noises)

 

[Martinjmpr]

Ah, sorry. When I pushed for 2wd or 4hi, the yellow light on those buttons flashed for 15 seconds or so, then stopped, remained unlit, with the N staying red. (also no weird noises)

What about 4 low? I'm just trying to figure out if the transfer case is actually shifting (and remember that the transmission has to be in neutral when shifting to or from 4 low.)

 

[Snowfish Blue]

I just went out to try it, because I don't recall trying 4lo. Guess what? All lights normal, started up showing it in 2wd, and switches between all drives like a charm.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I just went out to try it, because I don't recall trying 4lo. Guess what? All lights normal, started up showing it in 2wd, and switches between all drives like a charm.

Give me your address so I can send you a bill.

Glad it worked for you. My previous vehicle was a Toyota 4runner with the electric 4wd control. On those if the control stopped working it was like a $2500 fix to replace the actuator motor.

 

[smcnair]

Your switch is going out. Go ahead and order a new one. Takes about five minutes to change out.

You could take it apart and re solder the connections but I would just order one. They cost about $35.

 

[Snowfish Blue]

Yeah that's what I was hoping for. Looking at Napa and seems they are around 100 bucks in my neck of the woods. I'll keep price checking*

Question: What happens if the truck is driving fine in 2, and I pop out the switch, will it stay in 2wd safely until I find the part to replace it?

OR!

Could I disconnect the electrical connection to the transfer case so if the switch wigs out, it won't send a signal to anything? Is it even accessible for the common home-garage repairman?

Bottom line I just want to be able to drive it for a couple days without fear it's gonna throw itself into neutral or something odd.

*Edit: Rockauto has one for $50.

 

[SLCHOE]

It's not the switch.

It's 99% the encoder motor position sensor.

 

[SLCHOE]

Yeah that's what I was hoping for. Looking at Napa and seems they are around 100 bucks in my neck of the woods. I'll keep price checking*

Question: What happens if the truck is driving fine in 2, and I pop out the switch, will it stay in 2wd safely until I find the part to replace it?

OR!

Could I disconnect the electrical connection to the transfer case so if the switch wigs out, it won't send a signal to anything? Is it even accessible for the common home-garage repairman?

Bottom line I just want to be able to drive it for a couple days without fear it's gonna throw itself into neutral or something odd.

*Edit: Rockauto has one for $50.

It will fail back to 2wd. If the 4WD is not responding, you are stuck in 2WD.