99 Tahoe stuck in 4 wheel drive low

[Arkitech]

We had a bad rain/snow storm in the Chicago area over the weekend and I had to shift to 4 wheel low to get through a few patches of ice. I made it home ok and did'nt go out again for 2 days, I tried to leave today and realized that I can't get out of 4 wheel low. To complicate matters trying to drive in low made the truck jerk when accelerating, I'm really hoping this is'nt a situation where I need an expensive transmission replacement or overhaul. Anyone have clues as to what might be wrong?

Since I'm here talking about auto issues, I also have been losing oil from somewhere on the truck. Its not the oil pan or filter, it's possibly coming from somewhere in the engine. Am I in bad shape here? Do I need a new truck?

 

[iamwiz82]

Is the transfer case electronic or physical lever?

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Is the transfer case electronic or physical lever?

don't really know, how do I find out?

 

[bruceb]

I think on that model, the selector from 4WD to 2WD is controlled by a
small electric actuator on the Front Transfer Case .. what happens is that
unit will Freeze Up in very cold weather .. it is up under the vehicle
on the driver's side and is controlled by the lever on the floor of the cab.

 

[Pacfanweb]

The transmission has to be in neutral to get into or out of Low Range. You aware of this?

 

[bruceb]

Not on the Tahoe or other Chevy models. We have an S-10 and it
can be shifted into or out of 4WD while in motion ... That's the way
they wanted it to be.

 

[shabby]

I could of swore in my parents cherokee owners manual it said to go in reverse for 10m, then put it in park and switch to high. Without doing this you wont be able to go back to high, sure enough i got stuck in low couple weeks ago and had to do this to get back to the high gear.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Not on the Tahoe or other Chevy models. We have an S-10 and it
can be shifted into or out of 4WD while in motion ... That's the way
they wanted it to be.

4WD is not the same as Low Range.

To get out of Low Range, you typically have to be in Neutral or Park, switch to 4WD High or to 2WD, and then back up several feet. That has been my experience with every electronic transfer case I've used, though I will admit that I have not driven a Tahoe. That's how it worked on a Suburban though. (Or maybe I just thought I had to and it worked anyway.)

ZV

 

[bruceb]

I stand corrected on getting out of 4 Low Mode .. all other modes
can be changed on the fly.

 

[Pacfanweb]

I own a 1999 Tahoe, and it has to be in Neutral to go in or out of 4 Low. I've never had to back it up to get it out, just stop, put in Neutral, push the button, and roll on. Hell, the manual might tell you to back up for all I know.

Most of the ones you had to back up for were the trucks with automatic locking hubs. Had to back up like ten feet to unlock them.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
I own a 1999 Tahoe, and it has to be in Neutral to go in or out of 4 Low. I've never had to back it up to get it out, just stop, put in Neutral, push the button, and roll on. Hell, the manual might tell you to back up for all I know.

Most of the ones you had to back up for were the trucks with automatic locking hubs. Had to back up like ten feet to unlock them.

That's right, it was the hubs. I must've just done that in the Suburban out of habit and assumed it was necessary.

ZV

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: bruceb
I think on that model, the selector from 4WD to 2WD is controlled by a
small electric actuator on the Front Transfer Case .. what happens is that
unit will Freeze Up in very cold weather .. it is up under the vehicle
on the driver's side and is controlled by the lever on the floor of the cab.

Is it me or is this confusing, you're saying the tcase is controlled by an electric motor, but then you say the electric motor is controlled by a floor on teh cab?


I have only seen puch button electric motor controlled t-cases, I've neve seen a handle on the floor and it controls the motor.

Or am I reading it wrong? Or what model has this.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: bruceb
I think on that model, the selector from 4WD to 2WD is controlled by a
small electric actuator on the Front Transfer Case .. what happens is that
unit will Freeze Up in very cold weather .. it is up under the vehicle
on the driver's side and is controlled by the lever on the floor of the cab.

Is it me or is this confusing, you're saying the tcase is controlled by an electric motor, but then you say the electric motor is controlled by a floor on teh cab?


I have only seen puch button electric motor controlled t-cases, I've neve seen a handle on the floor and it controls the motor.

Or am I reading it wrong? Or what model has this.

It's either/or. You either have a lever to shift the transfer case, or you have a button that operates an electric motor that does it.

 

[Arkitech]

hmm interesting methods here, I'll have to try and hunt down the manual. I think I may have lost it, it was falling apart and I took it in the house one day to try and tape it back together and eventually forgot where I put it.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
hmm interesting methods here, I'll have to try and hunt down the manual. I think I may have lost it, it was falling apart and I took it in the house one day to try and tape it back together and eventually forgot where I put it.

You don't need to. Crank it up, put the transmission in neutral, and take it out of 4 Low.
I have the same vehicle and that's how you do it.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

It's either/or. You either have a lever to shift the transfer case, or you have a button that operates an electric motor that does it.[/quote]


Yea thats the only way i have ever seen it