DIY How To Replace S10 Blazer 4WD Transfer Case Encoder Motor GMC 4x4 Transfer Case Motor Repair

[@nogripes]

Replacement Blazer \ Jimmy Encoder Motor on Amazon - amzn.to/32QmtF8 Replacement transfer case encoder motors can be found on Amazon - amzn.to/2Bsk0Wo

[@timfelstead6268]

If the drive shaft is turned too far to get easy access to the bolts that hold the shaft in place switch back to 2 hi, rotate the driveshaft by hand and the switch back to 4hi. Great video. Saved me $300 at the shop.

[@timfelstead6268]

Hi Mark. The motor worked for a couple of weeks but now won't go from 4hi to 2hi. Will go from 4hi to 4lo. Changed the transfer case switch, checked the actuator pulls the diff cable in and out. Seems like the encoder motor has failed again. It was a Dorman one so I would have thought it was decent quality. Do you think there is something on the t-case side that causes it to jam?

[@MrWallyrooster]

Dale Earnhardt Jr, GMC Jimmy Johnson, Rusty "Blazer" Wallace, Tony S10 Stewart

[@jonclark9757]

Thanks, Mark!!! Have a 2000 Chevy S10 which NEEDED a 4WD shift cable (froze up solid), and a 4WD transfer case encoder motor. You gave GREAT how to applications, and truck is back in business!!!! :)

[@brad300ZXS16]

Out of all the other videos I have watched, yours has been most helpful. Mine is doing the same as yours so I guess that's what it is. Thank you so much sir!

[@eddiej.2354]

I forgot to Thank you for your perfect video on the transfer case motor. I saved it and I'm subscribed with notifications. Thanks again Eddie

[@berkmanyt]

I've debugged the 4wd electronic motor, switch and control unit( TCCM difficult to access under center dash in my 95). I'm an old-schooler and I decided to convert it to full manual shifter as my 86 S10 Blazer had per I lack confidence in 20 year old auto electronics. I removed the driveshaft, took out the electric motor assembly, disassembled the motor from the aluminum housing and after a little grinding and MIG welding the assembly was bolted back in place. I fabricated a shift lever from a 3/8 inch steel rod. I did not want the aggravation of failure during sub-zero weather. My 95 is an xcab S10 pickup 4.3 vortex. Nice video….walt

[@67giacomo]

I would love to see your set up and how you did it.

[@berkmanyt]

+67giacomo I just sent Mark pics and description of the FULL MANUAL conversion….if you send your email I will send you the same….see my email address below walt

[@67giacomo]

+berkmanyt here is my email. [e-mail]. Looking forward to seeing your setup.

[@berkmanyt]

+67giacomo Just sent the info that I provided to Mark…any questions please email me Good luck walt

[@wyo4x4]

berkmanyt hello. Could you email me some of this info as well? My address is [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@jeffcoffey5442]

Great video. I started my diagnosis by shorting pin 13 on my obd2 port to ground. great little trick. It told me i have a bad motor. Tried to get the motor out without driveshaft removal. I got as far getting the bolts out but was unable to free the motor easily. driveshaft removal was very straighforward. My caps on the forward end seem very secure on there. Thanks again for a great video

[@sh115067]

What is the pin 13 shorting trick. What do you do exactly and what does it do exactly?

[@shanebelcher5656]

Watched your video many times and they are very informative. made changing my encoder a piece of cake. Driveshaft was a dog to get back in. Keep the Blazer videos coming.

[@shanebelcher5656]

Do you have a video about tuning up the Blazer changing plugs, wires. cap ect..?

[@doranvee5944]

This must be a common problem. Excellent job on video!

[@wasntme3651]

Excellent video 👍🏼 when I do mine I’m gonna change the U-Joint while the front shaft is out. The way my luck has been if I don’t then it will go bad when it’s 20 below next winter 😡

[@daveschidlmeier6425]

Thank you Mark for the great blazer videos ... and replays...very informative .. Keep up the great work !!

[@daganhaddad]

I bet you my next beer that this encoder was what I was whacking on thinking it was the starter a few yrs back - thank God I'm a musician damn it

[@Blueknight1960]

Check your vacuum lines. I got a 98 gmc jimmy and it had a hard time going into 4x4 mode. Replaced some bad vacuum hoses and all is right with the world.

[@tomservo5347]

I have no flashing lights on my 3-button push button but my axle doesn't lock in. Replaced vacuum lines, TCCM, actuator is good. I have to go into 4-lo then 4-hi before it'll lock in. Then when I'm driving in 4x4 I can hear the axle slip every now and then. Encoder problem? Just wanted to be sure before wasting $150. I'm assuming it NOT being an auto 4x4 it's probably the 2-pin. (I can only imagine how complicated they made the auto.) As much as my wife and I love our old '98 LT it's a love/hate relationship when I have to turn a wrench anywhere around or on the 4.3 Vortec. (I liked the space and relative ease of working on my '93 conventional 4.3l. What a great V-6.)

[@yyur12]

How do I switch into 4 hi manually on my 98 s 10 Blazer? I can engage 4 low and 2 hi

[@wasntme3651]

You have to be in neutral at a stop

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

i have relay clicking going on in my tccm tried replacing it with a salvage yard control module and got the same result. what symptoms did you experience other than no shift from four-wheel high?

[@debdugar7512]

Hi, you say to torque the bolts, but I didn't see you. Put a torque wrench on. I found a vac line britt.e and kinda caved in on the motot... would that affect the 4 wheel drive too? To put on my hood cable I had to take the 3 bolts off the cruise control and they are harder to put on than the cable

[@BradKruger-k6v]

My compliments this was an awesome video, was wondering if you had some insight on what types of brands we should be looking at when replacing these. Prices seem to be all over the map with various vendors between 100 and 150 dollars but the original GM is going for almost $600. My trucks doing the exact thing in your Blazer did hear what brand did you go with?

[@Reddog794]

Thanks for the really informative video. What if it won't engage into 4hi before I start this? I checked my vacuum switch and it seems to have recoil, and before my 4x4 went out, it was hard coming out of it, and sounded/felt like it was coming from the encoder. Again thanks again for the wicked content. It makes loving my 05 that much easier... money pit it is lol

[@DMND1212]

How did you engage it into 4hi? Having the same problem

[@Reddog794]

@@DMND1212 So what is habit for these is sometimes the actuator won't completely disengage from the transfer case, and literally chew itself apart. I just had to swap out the 4x4 actuator for a new one, which was pretty simple all in all, took an afternoon.

[@DMND1212]

@@Reddog794 I replaced my encoder motor and it engages into 4hi and 4 low but there’s a weird noice coming from the passenger side control arm. Now I think I need to replace the axel shaft and maybe the inner gear?

[@nathanwiggins8578]

Hi is that the same way to install a all wheel drive motor switch on a 98 oldsmobile bravada

[@louisgallaher5487]

i have a 2001 blazer it does engage into 4low but the front tires dont spin when i get stuck in a snow bank

[@Flightstar]

My 98 K2500 is not shifting into 4wd the motors/ actuators sound like they are working well, but the light in the middle of the buttons stay flashing. It does seem to drop down to Low but does not put any power to the front wheels. There doesn't appear to be any locking mechanism at the hubs but there is an actuator, encoder motory thing on the front axle.

[@grindersandgears3445]

I'm still having issues, even after replacing the encoder motor with a new one. For a while it seemed to work fine, I would periodically test it going into 4 hi. But it hasn't worked right ever since I tried going into 4 lo one day, 4 lo doesn't work at all and it gets all bent out of shape if I try to go into 4 lo. But even if I don't try to go into 4 lo it works only intermittently now with 4 hi, even with the truck off taking the vacuum actuator for the axle out of the equation. The encoder motor attempts to shift the transfer case, but many times it fails, and or gets stuck into 4 lo or 4 hi. Can't figure out wtf is wrong with this thing and running out of patience. Winter is pretty much here, I haven't had to drive in snow yet, but it's going to happen soon and I'd like my 4x4 to be working...If anyone can help me diagnose, would appreciate, 2002 Blazer fwiw, with the 4 button system. I wish it was just a freaking manual case, wouldn't have BS problems like this, sigh.

[@eddiej.2354]

My 2000 Jimmy Diamond edition is at the shop for this same reason but it wasn't my transfer case motor its the transfer case control module. Sad part is the shop I use just replaced my rear U-joint with a greasable U-joint from Moog but they forgot to put the grease fitting in and not even 48hrs later it seized up and blew while we was heading home on the highway at 63/65 mph and the whole driveshaft flew out missing two cars. Waited 4hrs for Triple A. I had taken pics of the as there was transmission fluid all over and under my truck not to forget the oil trail as I coasted as far as I could after it happened. The shop replaced the shaft and U-joint and a spacer somewhere between the transmission and transfer case. They road tested it and asked if I had transmission problems as they had to manually shift.. I said no the tranny has always been tight.. I had to pay for a used one. So far I've laid out a $1000. I personally feel they should have made good on all the driveline parts damaged by thier forgetting to put the grease in.. I forgot to mention we went and looked and found the driveshaft but in two pieces the day after. I sent em pics of the driveshaft and the seized U-joint as I didn't want them to keep it as my proof if needed later. So KZbinrs what do you think? Should that shop be responsible for all the damage the driveline or should have to pay for a used transmission that only has a 30 day warranty. I look forward to your replies.

[@johnwayne7476]

Sabotage is my best guess. If they are a licensed mechanic there is no other answer. They tried to cause harm to you then when it failed they tore your transmission up then blamed it on you. Probably hoping you would go buy something else and sell them yours on the cheap to get rid of it. Honesty and Integrity are rare as hen teeth these days. If people want they take. It’s simple theft . Lowlife no class low rent trailer park trash , hating a man for what he has and they don’t. A beta male will always hate what he can never be. Alpha males need to learn to spot them. I am not a flamboyant man to the contrary I am very private and not a braggart. Still although being a kind giving fair man , who sees no difference between me and another man - I see them as my equal. I have many haters that hate me based upon the stories of females. They are in the local mechanic shop, they are among the ranks of the civil servants . Retractors also exist in the white color community as well. All because of anatomy. And based on a woman’s lies. I don’t have a proud look . Still haters will hate and they will sabotage anytime a change presents itself. As has been said since beginning “ if you want it done right,,,,,, do it yourself “

[@noheel1]

Very helpful thank you 👍👍

[@berkmanyt]

Mark…I'm still using the vacuum on the xfer case to lock in the front diff. I took the electric motor off the aluminum housing and used some of the internal parts to set up a mount for a rod shift lever. I also never do shift on the fly. If you send an email address I would gladly send pics. If there is way to send pics via KZbin let me know… I have about 8 pics of the conversion. Thanks for timely response… walt I think that NAPA kit is over $100 bucks…you (or I) could make one for less than $20 .

[@JesusCraw]

Hey, i'm very intesested un that mod sounds very cool! [e-mail] tnks for sharing!

[@franciscoagustin1283]

What is the kit called?

[@petevourlitis2060]

Was the encoder motor difficult to mate with the tcase shaft coming out? I just replaced mine and it was almost like a press fit. I replaced mine and still the same issues!

[@cazadoresnorteamericanos]

Anyone know if general grease works for the spline? TIA

[@long-dongvonbraun501]

Cazadores Norte Americanos - North American Hunters I would use a good axle and bearing grease but anything is better than nothing

[@cazadoresnorteamericanos]

Thank you

[@scarakus]

A previous blazer i had a few years back had the vacuum actuator cable pulled, and vise gripped. but before i found all that, the 4wd had worked fine for the previous 2 years.. lol. eventually it got stuck in 4wd, and it all went down hill after that.

[@scarakus]

@@nogripes No it wasn't, I discovered those long before I discovered your channel. But I am working on a 2nd blazer now, trying to get the 4wd working b4 winter, changed out the vacuum actuator yesterday evening, but still no 4Hi light. so I'm gonna reposition the actuator along side the battery to observe if it's actually actuating, lol, then on from there.

[@ArmTheCreative]

Question: I replaced new actuator and the tcase switch. But still does not go into 4WD. I hear the electric motor when I hit the buttons, and the button lights work properly. Is there a way to test the encoder without taking it out?

[@xXxDEFFWISHxXx]

I have a S-10 ZR5 my lights and everything work fine I hear shifting at the transfer case my diaphragm is always pulling but my 4 wheel drive doesn't work. I realize the vacuum switch on the transfer case probably needs replaced but where's the damage at? Is it in the differial or the hub.?

[@pilotop6851]

My actuator works fine going into 4WD HI, the front axle also engages. But it won't go in 4WD LO. The light on the switch just blinks. Anyone know what I should check to repair that? Is there a separate solenoid involved for LO or is that also done through the encoder motor?

[@louisgallaher5487]

my does that too but the front tires dont spin on four low

[@kevingore3588]

good video makes it sound easy except i have a different issue the 4wd button dosent light up at all when i push the button nothing happens no light I have a 95 gmc jimmy s-15 any ideas

[@kevingore3588]

I have 1 switch that does 4 high and 4low that's it

[@jameseichele1693]

When I press the button it says it in 4high but it's not engaged I replaced the gears and the 3 line vacuum switch and still no 4xr

[@clarksavage5611]

make sure trans case in 4 hi when putting encoder motor on? how?? when it only working in 2 wd mode??????

[@carloswallen5983]

Thank you, lot of help

[@freeholdnjusa]

I'm having the same symptom on my dashboard buttons and hear clicking from the module behind the kick panel AND clicking from the encoder. Was you're encoder also clicking when your 4WD was trying to switch back into 2WD?

[@joeyemily9483]

james rofulowitz

[@pusylvr69]

how do i get it into 4hi manually

[@zcam1969]

you are the man !

[@stonedogg6478]

I have a 2001 Chevy Blazer, I can shift in and out of 4wd but after a 1/2 mile, my service 4wd drive light kicks on and it won't let me shift back out of 4wd until I turn off the blazer. could it be the transfer case encoder motor?

[@Danielsoto9095]

hi. my dad haves a GMC sonoma 2002 and the three lights on the 4x4 switch stay on at all times. it wont disingage the 4x4. what could be the problem

[@joshbrierley4156]

Im having an issue with my blazer, it shows that its not in 4 hi but it is driving in 4 hi. I am trying to figure out the problem, I know its not the actuator it was literally just replaced yestarday, and has been doing this since before then. Any help is appreciated

[@sh115067]

Hey Mark, I'm curious to what manufacturer you used for the replacement motor. I'd prefer to buy an AC Delco because it's the OEM and I trust them. But if I can buy something cheaper that I can get even a 100,000 km's on I would get that instead. Is the replacement you used in this video still working well?

[@turq57nomad]

Hey mark, Question for you... 02 s10 ZR2 4Lo and 2hi work as they should. 4hi won’t blink or do anything when pushed. Disconnected the battery for 30 minutes reconnected and 4hi worked 2 or 3 times then went back to not lighting up or anything. Have you run into this? Any thoughts? Thanks! Chuck

[@daveschidlmeier6425]

I have the same issue . I have a 99 s 10 blazer with 3 button dash switch. When pressed the 2 w works, it goes into 4w low range ok. When I try to put it in 4w high, lights flash and it goes into 2w high... when I try to go into 4 w high, no sounds from underneath vehicle, just stays in 2w high... it will go into 4w low by pressing the 4 w low in neutral, I can hear it engage...help me please... I can hear clicking in the passenger side kick plate when pressing 4w low. No sound when 4 w high is pressed... bad dash switch maybe ???? .4 wheel low definitely engages and will switch back to 2 wheel. When 4 wheel high is pressed.... any ideas. 99 S 10 Blazer...

[@chuckfinley4757]

I have same problem as both of you. Can't get an answer from anyone.

[@turq57nomad]

@@chuckfinley4757 so I replaced the encoder motor, pretty easy to do. The vacuum fronts hubs suck so I recently did the “posi-lok” manual hub setup. I posted a video of it. I think my next step to to put in a manual transfer case at some point.

[@turq57nomad]

@@chuckfinley4757 2002 Chevy s10 zr2 4x4 fix posi lok install kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJLEm5-meJ5qiqM

[@chuckfinley4757]

@Chuck Kelly I replaced computer, tccm, vacuum switch, encoder, 4x4 dash switch. Still have same problem. I replaced everything but to transfer case. The other weird thing is in my other blazer I can shift it at any time in any gear. In my problem one I have to be in neutral.

[@BenSmith-vj7vh]

I've got a 99 Blazer LT with a similar issue. It's in 4hi, but not actually engaging the differential. It won't shift back to 2hi, nor will it shift to 4lo. It does not engage any drive gears, reverse, etc. The transmission level will move to each position, but the vehicle is in neutral (as in the tranny doesn't engage and I can physically roll the truck). When shifting to park, it grinds, but does not engage the parking gear, and I can still roll the truck. Any advice as to what may be wrong?

[@coburnlowman]

So from looking at it with the motor off it appears that a simple lever could be attached and have a cable or rod linkage ran to inside the cab? Does the motor seal against the whatever it attaches to to keep crud from getting in or fluid from leaking out. I want to do away with all this stuff and have a simple rod or cable push pull. I was with a friend who bought one new and we ended up stranded an entire night because it wouldn't go into 4x4 and it was a new blazer.

[@Vlad-De-Impalor]

I had a brand new actuator motor installed and the mechanic says the reason it doesn't work is that the connection is always getting wet? I have a blazer 2000 with auto 4 wheel drive as well as the regular drives. it will not switch into any 4 wheel drive position at all... Any ideas?

[@robertocarlospalomosanchez8674]

Disculpa se puede dejar directamente el 4*4 sin los actuadores Excuse me, I could leave the 4*4 directly without the actuators.

[@robertocarlospalomosanchez8674]

My truck is a blazer 95 4*4 please help me I just want to leave it directly the 4*4 without actuators

[@gary2turbos]

Hi mark, I tried to tape the damn things up but roller bearings everywhere! How many should there be do you know? Thanks Gary

[@gary2turbos]

Should add only one came off saved the other side

[@daveschidlmeier6425]

Don't play with it ..buy a new universal joint

[@joseornelas5056]

Hi,I have the same problem as yours but,my it's on 4 hi how I do manual?

[@Its_austin001]

what if only 4wd high works ? when i put it into 4wd low it just blinks but goes right into 4wd high n right back in to 2wd just fine.

[@nathandumeney7601]

Did you shift to 4high first? You have to do them in order. 4high wait for the light then 4lo.

[@homunculusprime647]

My 99 Blazer LT doesn't shift nearly that fast. It usually lags for a few seconds before it pops in and out of 4wd. Does this mean my encoder motor is going bad or could it possibly be a vaccum leak? I've fixed a few already.

[@homunculusprime647]

+Mark Jenkins Thanks for the tip but I think I may have just opened up a can of worms, lol. I followed your advice and checked the transfer case fluid and instead of it being blue like I expected it was pink like tranny fluid and was oozing out a bit suggesting it was a bit over filled (also someone had put thread sealer on the fill plug and sealed in a bunch of dirt and crap). I then check the tranny fluid and it too is over filled by quite a bit. I wonder if this is why my tranny dipstick keeps poping out of the tube every time I drive. Do you think it was just poorly serviced or might there be something more going on? I'm thinking at this point I might drain some of the tranny fluid and replace whats in the transfer case with the blue stuff and check them regularly to see if they are mixing or if it at least improves its performance. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Btw mine is a 4 button with auto 4wd so it should have the blue auto track II right? Also, is there a drain plug on the tranny somewhere or do I have to pull the pan off?

[@bashafacin]

+Mark Jenkins Great video mark, when i changed my transfer case fluid there was only about a cup worth of fluid in it. it was brown and watery. I had a hell of a time refilling it and took a bath in trans fluid lol.

[@homunculusprime647]

+Mark Jenkins Thanks for the tips Mark. Luckily the transfer case hasn't filled to the point of overflowing yet so I'm just gonna flush it out and run auto track II in it for a while and see if I can confirm an input seal problem or not.

[@thebassreaper9326]

I have a question for Ya I have a 2000 GM Jimmy. 4x4 is not working at all hasn't for 2 years and I want to get it working my push buttons work when I hit the buttons I here a click but nothing else I know it's not kicking on at all and when I push the buttons the lights just flash what is the problem there and where did you get your parts I called my local auto store and there is nothing under 30 dollars the actuator is 80 and the encoder goes from 120 up to 180

[@heribertovalero]

Thank you

[@musthakalipeermohamed4891]

i have 1998 blazer while clicking 4 HI and 4 LO the Led light blinking nothing happen some time clicking sound coming for transfer case module please give a solution for this issue

[@blackz-nc1sz]

You ever fix it?

[@chris34334]

how do you manually shift the trasnfercase?

[@DMND1212]

Did you find this out?

[@wr3ncher]

you did a horrible job at the carwash

[@eddiej.2354]

Ya Right lmao

[@lorn87417]

thank you sir

[@crushedcranium]

here's a quandary, I installed a new encoder motor today and it switched into 4WD like butter. But now it's stuck in 4WD.... I have no idea what to do

[@brandonhilligas7648]

Just got back from car was but it's still dirty

[@mikes4564]

Dumb question. My perspective is messed up. This is laying beneath the car looking up, correct?

[@cagerat]

Links at end seem different. Here's one of the vacuum video links. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b17aZYShr8mhe9E

[@clarksavage5611]

NOT 7/16 in driveshaft its metric 11

[@debdugar7512]

Hi, you say to torque the bolts, but I didn't see you. Put a torque wrench on. I found a vac line britt.e and kinda caved in on the motot... would that affect the 4 wheel drive too? To put on my hood cable I had to take the 3 bolts off the cruise control and they are harder to put on than the cable

[@charlierivera5725]

Thank you very informative video and very needed

[@juniorramos7595]

My Chevy blazer Is wrong because the fuse #15 from 4wd Is open by one short, how can I verificate the encoder? could the encoder be in short circuit. I changed 3 fuses and nothing