Shifting transfer case into and out of Neutral issue

[Red2017]

The 2017 Tahoe does not have an ignition switch, as such, it has a push button. There is a "Run" position (in which the engine will start and remain running) and an "Accessory" position. I use the Tahoe for flat towing behind a motor coach so I need the transfer case to be in Neutral. The owners manual addresses the operation of putting the transfer case into neutral by turning the ignition key to the run position but not starting the engine, then turning the transfer case dial to neutral. With no key ignition and no run position without the engine running I'm not sure how to follow these instructions.
Does anyone have any experience with this setup?
Thanks in advance.

 

[swathdiver]

Page 236:

Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift into N (Neutral):
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Set the parking brake and
press and hold the brake
pedal. See Parking
Brake 0 237.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the
ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2 m.
6. Turn the transfer case knob
clockwise to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts blinking.
This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly
release the knob to the 4 n
position. The N (Neutral) light
will come on when the transfer
case shift to N (Neutral) is
complete.
7. With the engine running, verify
that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse),
then shift the transmission to
D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting the transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, and the
ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift
lever in P (Park). See
Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0 361.
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral):
1. Set the parking brake and
apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to
the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the
transmission to the
desired gear.

 

[Red2017]

Page 236:

Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift into N (Neutral):
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Set the parking brake and
press and hold the brake
pedal. See Parking
Brake 0 237.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the
ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to 2 m.
6. Turn the transfer case knob
clockwise to N (Neutral) until it
stops and hold it there until the
N (Neutral) light starts blinking.
This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly
release the knob to the 4 n
position. The N (Neutral) light
will come on when the transfer
case shift to N (Neutral) is
complete.
7. With the engine running, verify
that the transfer case is in
N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to R (Reverse),
then shift the transmission to
D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting the transmission.
8. Turn the engine off, and the
ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift
lever in P (Park). See
Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0 361.
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral):
1. Set the parking brake and
apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN
with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to
the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the
transmission to the
desired gear.

Thanks for the response. My manual indicates that the engine should not be running. It is not clear how to get to "On" position without starting the engine or can the process be completed with the engine running?

 

[Demer]

I think you can get to the "On" position by: First, making sure the engine is off. Do not put your foot on the brake, and then press and hold the 'start' button for about 10 seconds (could be less. my memory isn't the best... but you'll know when it happens)

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks for the response. My manual indicates that the engine should not be running. It is not clear how to get to "On" position without starting the engine or can the process be completed with the engine running?

Is it possible that your manual is out of date? That is the manual I downloaded from GMs website this morning. Try it that way first. I can and have started my engine and put the transfer case into neutral with the motor running.

 

[PG01]

Is it possible that your manual is out of date? That is the manual I downloaded from GMs website this morning. Try it that way first. I can and have started my engine and put the transfer into neutral with the motor running.

Actually, i have only done it while it was running....

 

[Red2017]

Thanks for all of the responses. I will try the suggestions and see what happens. Thanks again.

 

[Red2017]

Update on the issue, I found an owners manual on the Chevrolet site and it is different from the one that came with the truck. It addresses using the pushbutton start. It says to have the vehicle in the "On" position with the engine running. This is the way I have done it but I wanted to make sure that was not doing something wrong.
Anyway, thanks for all of the replies and help.