1999 Chevy Suburban 4 wheel drive

1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
188,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHERLYNSTONE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I just purchased this vehicle. i have never had a 4 wheel drive. when i start the vehicle, the indicator light next to the push button lights up either by automatic 4 wheel or by 2 hi. when i drive the vehicle, the light goes off. i have tried pushing the buttons to change from 2 to 4, sometimes they light up, other times they dont. i am so confused. im not sure if it is going in and out of 4 wheel or not. sometimes when i turn, and there are no lights on, it sounds like the tires grab as if in 4 wheel. please help. im not even sure whether i should be driving in automatic or 2 hi when on dry conditions. also do i need to be stopped to change from 2 to 4?
Feb 4, 2009 at 10:15 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi:
To determine if the switch is good, you need to check if power is making it to the actuator when the button is pushed. If it isn't, have the switch checked and replaced if bad. If there is power, the actuator itself may be bad. Remove the actuator motor and check if it's working properly.

let me know what you find.

Joe
Feb 5, 2009 at 4:44 PM
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