03 Tahoe LT 5.3 Ratchet popping noise in 4WD, bad 4x4 motor encoder

Here's an update.
When it was making that noise my 4x4 was not engaging. The light showed it was enabled, but never got power to the front. It ended up being the encoder motor was bad, but I waited too long to get it fixed and it ruined my transfer case as well.
I originally thought it was the front diff, swapped it out with a used one and it didn't solve that problem (for those that think it might be the front diff).

[@FourbrrlGrabber]

what you're hearing is the chain slipping on the gear teeth.

[@waldroop11]

My Silverado does this in 4 HIGH did you figure it out?

[@bbdbkd]

My truck is doing the exact same thing. I just rebuilt the transfer case and it was fine I’ve used it twice after the rebuild and it didn’t do this. And now it pops in 4x4 under load

[@GM.572]

I don’t think it’s the transfer case guys, I fully rebuild my T case with all original parts and it still makes that noise

[@OmarPerez-kh7xz]

Ok, I saw this video about 8 months ago and I also had this issue with my 2004 GMC Sierra crew cab. It ended up being my transfer case. The "Pump Rub" issue with these vehicles finally got me. If you don't know what it is, do a search on it for details. Basically a pin hole is created from the inside out and the transfer case eventually pumps all the fluid out. Unknowingly your transfer case runs dry and you fry it. Happened to me. If you're hearing this, your best bet is to have it checked out by a transmission shop that knows about this issue. I went with a refurbished transfer case with a pump rub kit installed for right amount 2K. Hope this helps.

[@Spoon611273]

I actually had that happen before all this mess lol. Driving between Utah and Texas and filling gas I noticed a lot of oil on the back of the lift gate. I thought I was leaking oil or tyranny fluid but it all checked out. Turned out it was that pump rub. Found a refurbished guy on ebay that shipped from Texas. It was 750 so it was a steal. Spent the afternoon changing it out. The problem in the video ending up being an encoder failure and since I took so long to fix it the transfer case went out. Dumb luck huh?

[@Spoon611273]

Holy shit I didn't realize there was so many comments. Here's an update. When it was making that noise my 4x4 was not engaging. The light showed it was enabled, but never got power to the front. It ended up being the encoder motor was bad, but I waited too long to get it fixed and it ruined my transfer case as well. I've already spent a ton of money fixing this thing up. It has taken me just about anywhere I've needed, but it was time to get rid of it. So I ended up getting rid of it.

[@dameonwendt8494]

Mine started doing this in 2wd all of a sudden and the popping was able to be felt in the cab

[@josealbarran8643]

Did you figure out what the problem was?

[@TheMatthewDMerrill]

Had a similar sound only on one side of each rotation, turned out to be my front drivers side axle near the dif

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Matt Merrill the CV axle?

[@ROSSCO2250]

I venture to guess its not front diff, not encoder motor, not likely front slip yoke, probably not chain or sprockets... but more likely shift fork pads not shifting fully into 4wd position. I say this cause i have chased this problem in my 03 sierra 1500hd for nearly a yr.

[@1MRTV]

what was it mines do the same thing

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Skateboy-TV bowtie did you figure it out?

[@roberthanna4400]

My truck is making the same noise!! What was it?

[@austindavis406]

my truck doing the same thing I would like to know what it is

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Austin Davis did you figure it out

[@brandoncommisso8264]

Anybody ever figure out the problem or the fix for this?

[@pizza4prezident143]

It's the gear slipping the the teeth a guy said

[@coolcody814]

did anybody figure this out

[@donniecosby2559]

I have a 2004 and when I put it in 4 hi it does this I haven't got into it but I filled it up with trans case oil it held about 3/4 of a quart my guess is that it the cog broke a tooth or the chain is some how binded if someone has figured it out please let me know otherwise by the time winter is over I should know and I'll be back

[@dylanjames6662]

Any update on fix?

[@donniecosby2559]

@@dylanjames6662 catastrophic failure of the transfer case due to pump rub I had to buy a new one and replace

[@dylanjames6662]

@@donniecosby2559 not what I wanted to hear😂😂

[@donniecosby2559]

@@dylanjames6662 yea it was a literal catastrophe and a lot of money

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Did anyone figure this out!!!!!!!

[@Tanner69046]

Yeah it's the transfer case

[@kaydeneanes9148]

Did you ever figure it out man my 2000 is making that same noise I can’t figure it out

[@zaneshirley5733]

Hey I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado and it make the same noise do I replaced the transfer case or what do I do

[@halo285x]

I thinks its transfer case. My car does the same thing too

[@RobtJude]

Same problem 1999 Tahoe - Only happens in 4WD and worse when I turn the front wheels - What is it?? Any one????

[@hectormarkmunoz]

RobtJude did you find out?

[@ianpiekutowski2341]

Same did you ever figure it out?

[@shirtguy2541]

This guy ever find out what it is popping

[@Tanner69046]

Transfer case

[@austinwilson8929]

My 01 Sierra 1500 is doing the same thing but only in 4wd, been chasing it for months, really getting tired of changing parts

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Austin Wilson did you figure it out?

[@Gmasek99]

I have the same exact truck. Same problem. Still dont know what it is

[@hectormarkmunoz]

THAT GUY G4BE well recently I was told its front differential...we shall see.

[@jakerobertson7199]

Mark Munoz did you ever find out what it was ?

[@dakot318]

I have a 2500hd, same exact noise....exact!!! Put in new transfer case (not used) nothing changes still same noise in 4wd. I'm going nuts with it. New cv axles, u joints. I'm really hoping it's that encoder motor. If not the front end is coming apart. Anyone ever figure this nightmare out if it's not the t-case?

[@Spoon611273]

I brought mine into a mechanic and they told me it was the encoder motor. This was after going through a used front diff and replacing the actuator on the front diff. I waited too long and it ruined the transfer case.

[@hectormarkmunoz]

My is doing the exact same thing! I was told it's the front end differential, but another told me it was the transfer case. I'm leaning towards the front end differential. DID ANYONE FIGURE IT OUT???

[@christurilli4121]

did you ever fix the problem with the Tahoe?

[@Spoon611273]

Chris Turilli not yet. Been working out of town. Once I'm home I'm taking it to the shop and let them figure it out. I think it's either transfer case or front differential.

[@kgoesbraap4489]

Did you happen to get this issue sorted? I've got an identical noise coming from Silverado 1500.

[@jasonterry5298]

Same problem

[@hectormarkmunoz]

Spoon611273 did you find out?

[@Spoon611273]

@@hectormarkmunoz Encoder motor, also ruined the transfer case cause I waited too long.