Do you mean the shifter will physically move into the proper position,but the 4x4 lamp does not come on?

 

I think you can disconnect battery and it will reset to 2wd

disregard, was thinking pushbutton

 

The lamp is on but the 4x4 wasnt engaging yesterday and I was wondering if anything electical. the whole bottom of the tahoe was solid ice underneathe

 

I was wondering do they have actuators or no because there is a phyical shifter in the truck?

 

You probably have a "dildo" problem. That is what we used to call the front axle actuator.

 

Front actuator was cheap in my 94, solved all the same problems you seem to have. As @Kvston said, I also replaced it twice between 145k and 250k miles. It's quick, cheap, and easy.

Waiting on dealership to get back to me on a actuator. Prob shouldn't buy one from a place like advanced auto right?

I'd get one at Advance. Then go online and buy another one cheaper to toss I. The glove as a back up.

 

lol. my girl has the same issue

 

When you move the shifter, there should be a separate "4x4" light.
That does not light up when the front axle does not engage.
It is controlled by a switch on the transfer case. The dildo was/is a gas filled cylinder,with a heater, that extends when it gets power from switch. Later models had ones that were electric motors, as the gas cylinders were known for failure in cold weather. There also was a retrofit kit to install the newer unit into older trucks.

 

I know you dont have a part number but do you have the name that i can google so ican see what it looks like?

 

Going to test it again in a few. the 4x4 light i think just came on about 5 mins ago when i tried it. waiting on someone to look at the front tires when im in it to see if their spinning. maybe all that packed snow and ice froze it up. I will post again in a little while. thank you guys appreciate it big time

 

just called the dealer he said i called the wrong place when i asked for a replacement dildo

 

Then you have a very young or not so bright parts man, has been called that for many years!

 

Early and late models,as yours may have been upgraded--

 

Used to be all parts stores stocked them,and the switch in the transfer case, as they were notorious for going bad.

 

lol

 

Just tried it. everything lights up but it is not going into 4 wheel drive neither high or low. It looked like when i did have it in 4x4 high for a second a all the tires turned and then after that nothing

 

https://www.stockwiseauto.com/acdel....com/acdelco-15693423-transfer-case-switch?Year=1995&Make=Chevrolet&Model=Tahoe

is this the part?

 

You may have a dildo not fully engaging,but moving enough to activate the switch.Could also have a problem with the shift fork in the front diff.
Switch in T'case turns on the actuator, 4x4 light is turned on by switch in front axle.

 

ok just found the accuator $75 bucks worth replacing before having someone tell me its the transfer case and its not

 

If you want to just throw parts at it,sure.
An easy test is,put in 4x4, see if the plug feeding the actuator has power and ground. If does, good bet it is the actuator, if yours still has the old style.

 

The best test is to get the front in the air on stands if need be and put it in 4hi
With the engine on and in neutral. Turn the front shaft by hand, if the front wheels turn the actuator is good and it is telling it to engage 4wd. Also if it were bad there would be a message on the dash to service 4wd. If it seems good it is most likely the encoder at the bottom of that shaft or the transfer case is done.
Best way to determine if its the transfer case is to drain some oil from it and.look for debris. Never seen a bad transfer case without debris.

 

The best test is to get the front in the air on stands if need be and put it in 4hi
With the engine on and in neutral. Turn the front shaft by hand, if the front wheels turn the actuator is good and it is telling it to engage 4wd. Also if it were bad there would be a message on the dash to service 4wd. If it seems good it is most likely the encoder at the bottom of that shaft or the transfer case is done.
Best way to determine if its the transfer case is to drain some oil from it and.look for debris. Never seen a bad transfer case without debris.

It's a 95 with a manual shift t case. No encoder, no dash warning.

 

okay gonna have to man up and try to get my fat ass under there

 

What transfer case fluid should I purchase for it?

 

First plow truck was a 95 k2500. Plowed with it for 2 or 3 winters, pretty sure I replaced the actuator 2 or 3 times. Pretty common failure, as has been stated.

It's about a 5 minute repair with a crescent wrench


I'd use Synthetic ATF

 

Ok I was going to check for metal but as well but hoping to get in my cousins shop after they close so I’ll be in doors to check everything out.

 

Waiting on dealership to get back to me on a actuator. Prob shouldn’t buy one from a place like advanced auto right?

 

You should buy one that is the most economically feasible. It is not a newer truck. My local Oreiilys has several in stock, from 65 to 147 bucks.

 

K that’s what I’ll do