How to put transfer case into neutral (99-06 GM trucks/SUVs)

For unlimited flat towing or being towed on a tow truck.
Please check your owner's manual for specific make, model and year specifications and limits for towing.

[@SaltwaterSlick]

I got my '06 Z71 Chebby in October of '06... Have over the years asked several people if the xfer case can be put into neutral, and I've tried everything to make it happen to no avail! Thanks to your short video, I now am able to put my xfer case in neutral!! What I NEVER TRIED was to shift it with the key on and the engine NOT running!! 🙄 Thanks again!!

[@TaraConti]

Thank you for posting this! I have an 03 and an 04 Avalanche. I just jumped in my 04 and realize that the neutral light was on but there's no service 4 wheel drive or anything like that coming up on the DIC. I've only had the 04 for about 2 months now and I've never ran into the issue with the 03. I kind of figured it out before I watch the video cuz I stopped and put it in park and then shifted into neutral and try to put it back into 2 high which has seemed to work. Hopefully I just screwed up somehow when I got out of it the last time and it's not a bigger problem. But I did learn something so thank you for that!

[@shadowkreepn9087]

Thank you very much man.! You are awesome.! You should add that if your transmission is stuck in drive only and you have no reverse or neutral than this will disengage the drive gear and put your transmission into neutral as well.. I had no reverse or neutral the 04 tahoe 1500 wouldn't roll back or forward in neutral or reverse.. finally I tried your trick of forcing the transfer case into neutral and BOOM.! I have reverse and neutral again.. I'm not sure if it was just stuck in 4wd even though it showed 2hi and that's why I couldn't reverse or move in neutral, neutral was driving me down the road with no problem while reverse was like I was parked.! But your trick did the job.. MUCH APPRECIATED.!

[@randy1203]

Thank you very much for posting this valuable info. I have a 2001 gmc sierra z71 that now I can plan to tow on my trips. No need for a dolley.

[@eldinkamberovic2723]

Thanks I just got a yukon slt and I got this! Was looking at how to use 4wd but this is cool too!

[@HairBandDan]

Wow I can’t believe I never knew this thanks for video!

[@MudRFunR]

Thanks, just what I was looking for!

[@pyoosabai]

I've owned my truck for 16 years and just figured out how to do this now. Thanks for the vid.

[@normanjuarez699]

Nice video. I learned something today. Thank you

[@kennethhooper8618]

Your an idiot

[@pyoosabai]

@@kennethhooper8618 *You're, not your. Who's the idiot now, asswipe

[@pinohatoum3623]

Thank you very much I was wondering how can I tell it I'm glad I ran into your video so great it was very easy I'm so excited so I can use my truck behind my moment thank you

[@trailteryx9955]

Thanks ,I was trying to figure this out earlier today. 👍

[@herschelrichardson6169]

Thanks for the help very well done

[@ELREYYAVIENE1026]

Thanks for your help 👍 i fix my 2004 gmc yukon xl

[@iainhannam8171]

Thank you for the very helpful video.

[@blindjustice8718]

You are correct about the earlier model years. My 99 S10 Blazer has steering lock. It also needs to be in neutral to put it back into 2 Hi.

[@charlesterrellii7592]

Do you want to drive it in neutral or two hi? I recently got A 99 suburban. Tried the 4x4 now when I turn the front driver side makes crazy noise. I can't catch a break. Any advice or ideas.

[@blindjustice8718]

@@charlesterrellii7592 noises while turning sounds like a front drive shaft/constant velocity boot issue. I had bad wobble between 45 and 65. Replaced damn near the entire front end and both u-joints on the main drive shaft. Turned out to be a bad u-joint on the front, 4wd driveshaft. Also, it could be that the 4wd did not fully disengage. Some of those you have to back up 10 feet or so to disengage. If you don't back up far enough, it won't fully disengage.

[@franklingetz3106]

You really helped me omg thanks

[@robertdgarcia6358]

Thanks bro that help me I did in my Chevrolet Suburban and work good

[@cobyporschifer221]

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART INFO ,👍Straight forward. No filler B.S. EXCELLENT JOB SIR. Well played

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Thank you for the comment, glad I could help. 👍

[@MichaelJohnson-mh7mp]

Excellent, thank you.

[@KALIMANVAGO]

Thank you so much. the video helped me a lot..

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Cool 👍

[@jonathangraves7253]

Thank you it help

[@dawsenvalencia9320]

Thanks man!

[@silverfoxrc2986]

AWESOME!!! Thank you

[@golfmanmatt]

Thanks man. Looking into doing the encoder motor in the transfer case and couldn't find anywhere where to do this

[@donoberloh]

It does come on my 2003 Avalanche fortunately

[@Lee-pq4ri]

Thank you finely

[@onebdcuda]

Both my red and amber lights are on... what does this mean? Every now and then my red light will go off but most of the time its on with 2 high... any idea?

[@liammay7756]

Usually that light is amber but sometimes it turns red at random times. Any idea what that means?

[@Frank-rj7uy]

Right on..

[@richarddiaz8248]

Thank you for this information 👌

[@edieboren5781]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!1

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Thanks for the feedback 👍

[@surfpapo]

Thank you it work cool video

[@toneyanstead774]

WHICH IS BEST TO DRIVE IN NEUTRAL 2HIGH OR AUTO 4X4?

[@Wesleystewart78]

I feel like a idiot now its basically spelled out for you on the buttons lol

[@brandondassow6000]

So how do you get it into neutral if the switch has no lights working

[@a.m-gh7876]

When I use 4hi and turn the steering wheel all the way the car stops hard. There was something stuck that forced the car to stop. Is this a problem that needs to be fixed or is this normal?

[@12345Flipside]

Hello. I have a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 4.3l V6 AWD with the 4 button 4x4 switch. I tried it like in the video, but i can not activate the NEUTRAL in the transfer case. The red led is o.k., all lights go shortly on when ignition is on. And i can activate 2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD, but the 4LO is always flashing and goes off after 30 seconds. What is wrong? 4LO is working fine! And why i can not get the red NEUTRAL position in the transfer case for example towing my car? My transmission is also in NEUTRAL and ignition is on, without motor running. Thanks!

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Double check your owner's manual. This is a procedure for the 1/2 tons and up, but sometimes it doesn't work on these old trucks. Once in a while you'll get one that won't shift. I'm pretty sure the Blazer/Jimmy/S10/Sonomas/Envoys... etc have similar provisions for T case neutral so it's either something wrong with an old truck, or maybe that model has a different procedure.

[@matthewsalvador9783]

My neutral red light doesn’t come on but the other lights come on any idea what’s the issue ?? This might explain the 4wd service light lol but great video

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

I had issues with mine and ended up changing my encoder motor on the side of the transfer case. Fairly easy to do.

[@matthewsalvador9783]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 lol I replaced last year lol I hear it’s the chip thing that’s inside the motor. Thanks for responding.

[@devinmccormack4992]

Just flat towed my truck 12 miles at approximately 30mph with only the transmission in neutral, I did not do this to place the transfer case in neutral. Am I going to find my transfer case or transmission is fried now after I get it running again?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

The low speed might have saved you but very few automatic transmissions are rated for any flat towing in neutral.

[@darylcrum573]

I have a little different question, not sure if u know but maybe someone will. I can't find an explanation on the net. 2003 with the same button configuration and I get a SERVICE 4WD message so I can cut the engine off and turn ignition switch to on position while holding the 4H button, maybe either button, and it starts working again...any ideas?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Not uncommon for the encoder motor to have issues. Pretty easy fix and not too expensive. I had to do it on my 03 Silverado. This may or may not be your problem.

[@jaysingrant6528]

I have an 03 avalanche with a transfer case same as this one in the video and Im going to California in an rv and I want to flat tow it behind my rv, but I hear rumors about messing up your transmission if not done correctly. Can this process in the video still be done for a flat tow

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

I believe all the limitations are listed in your owner's manual. It will walk you through the same process as my video and if I remember correctly, says something like "unlimited distance at highway speed".

[@jaysingrant6528]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 thank you, I got the neutral light to turn on but if I'm going to move the vehicle by flat tow, do I leave the keys in the trucks ignition During the tow? Or.. can I have the key out the ignition while it's being towed?

[@benjaminibanez4057]

I have a 2005 Chevy Tahoe with this switch, but when I try to drive it the transmission won’t shift and I can hear a grinder noise , could be the t-case be stuck on 4hi o 4 low? I never own a 4x4 , I just order a new switch , by the way I don’t drive the Tahoe until I replace the switch

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Try to switch the selection with the engine turned off and the ignition turned on and try to switch it while the transmission is in neutral so there's no tension on the drivetrain while the transfer case is trying to switch.

[@MEkanger]

My buttons on my 99 tahoe are different. The options are the same, except I don't have Auto 4WD. Will this still work?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

I don't know.

[@blindjustice8718]

You can try it obviously, but I don't think the 3-button setup does this.

[@haydencarlson2861]

Don’t try to put transmission in park while transfer case is in neutral and engine is running😬 very loud grinding noise from transmission

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

True 👍

[@nebraskanimalhemi]

What caused the grind?

[@james10739]

Oh ya if I the engine is running there is nothing to stop it.from spinning so it would be the parking paw trying to grab till it does it may not be able to with no resistance I guess turn it off first

[@jacksonreid6412]

Damn, I kept trying to do this with the engine running and it wouldn’t work. Thanks for this!

[@shaunmoeller3288]

I'm having an issue with the transfer case not kicking my Tahoe out of 4 wheel can I do this to maybe get it out... If not I'm taking the drive shaft out

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Make sure your transmission is in neutral and there's no tension on the drivetrain. Sometimes you need to put it in drive and slowly roll forward while shifting back to 2wd. If you have a locking diff or maybe a tire or two that are at a different air pressure than the rest, it can put just enough pressure on the driveline that makes it tough for the encoder motor to switch the mode.

[@shaunmoeller3288]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 my truck is weird it only seems like it's stuck in 4 wheel when it's on the ground cause when I put it on a lift the front tires don't spin... I did have to replace the encoder motor or transfer case shift motor whatever it's called and it was working fine until I had to use 4 wheel for snow

[@costarica0904]

Can I tow for a long trip and not ruin the transmission or transfer case? There have been a few forums that say I need a pump in the transfer case. Thank you for the video! I've been looking for weeks if the Tahoe had a neterual feature.

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

I would refer to your owner's manual. I have read some that say you can go unlimited distance at highway speed.

[@Lucas-kd7fm]

I can’t get mine out of neutral. Other buttons just flash and I can hear the motor trying to shift but nothing is shifting. Any ideas?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Might be a bad encoder motor. Not too hard or expensive to change. There's videos on how to change them.

[@164hozey]

Will this work if my shifter is broken? Or do I have to be in drive

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

You're on your own bud.

[@squatchwatch5237]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 I'm sorry but this reply made me lmao 🤣

[@RichardSpeights]

Everything works, 2wd, 4wd high, 4wd low---nonetheless, the transfer case will not go into neutral. Any ideas?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

@@RichardSpeights could be a bad encoder motor.

[@RichardSpeights]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 Thanks for commenting; I forgot to update. It did not work due to operator error. All is well now.

[@tommydscott]

Did you just call me a hillbilly?

[@TaraConti]

😂👍

[@kitovlogz]

How do I take it off neutral

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

With transmission in neutral and ignition in the run position, press any button for transfer case selection.

[@travisnyitrai463]

Does this work for burnouts??

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Depends how many chromosomes you have.

[@tinybeauty7879]

I have a problem where it's been stuck in N and won't change 2⬆️

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Could be the encoder motor. Happened on mine. Not too hard to change.

[@johnalexcaton6281]

Could’ve been a 10 second video. Thanks

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

You could've figured it out by yourself.

[@HECTORLEDEZMA.]

Mine didnt do it

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

If there's any tension on the drivetrain it may not shift into neutral. Or you may have other issues.

[@TheQwagmyer]

How would u lock it into 2high

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Push the 2 hi button.

[@jaguarblack4332]

Im stuck in neutral i need to get out lol

[@ilrunedfrumlyfelott9277]

What if it’s stuck in neutral?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Then there's something wrong with your truck.

[@mountainmantv4713]

So it won’t drive if put into drive

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

It will not drive if the transfer case is in neutral. Do not attempt to put the transmission in park if the vehicle is running. You'll damage your park pin.

[@Zyphen4866]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 you should have said that in the video, i started my car with the car in park and it scared the shit out of me, my parking pin is fine though

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

@@Zyphen4866 I also didn't say not to lay under the vehicle while it's in neutral. Guess I should make sure you know that too.

[@TaraConti]

The red neutral light was on on my Avi and I noticed it while I was driving. So I stopped and put it in park to try to figure it out. So far so good though I threw it into neutral and then it went into 2 high fine.

[@squatchwatch5237]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 🤣

[@aksavage7443]

How do you have 200 on the dash?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

Are you talking about my trip odometer?

[@aksavage7443]

You got 200 mph on your dash?? I’ve only seen 120 and 180

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

@@aksavage7443 It's in kilometers. I'm in Canada.

[@aksavage7443]

🤦‍♂️ohh

[@in7el11]

@@aksavage7443 lol

[@mattandkatchristie2552]

Mines stuck in neutral...any ideas?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

When mine wouldn't shift I replaced the encoder motor on the side of the transfer case. That fixed the problem. Took about half an hour. To remove the encoder motor you need to remove the front drive shaft and the skid plate under the transfer case first. I bought my encoder motor on Amazon and didn't realize it was the wrong one until I had removed the old one. Right bolt pattern but wrong wiring harness. I would recommend verifying what shape of wiring connector you have and what pattern the pins in the plug are in before you order a new one. Probably safer to order from a dealer with your vin number, but six times the price. I think I paid just over $100 on Amazon and it was six or seven hundred dollars at a dealer.

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

It may not shift if there's any tension on the driveline. Make sure the transmission is in neutral and your battery is fully charged before you start looking any further.

[@ncooty]

@@popsjalopyemporium504: Was the Amazon part a Dorman and the dealer an AC Delco?

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

@@ncooty can't remember now.

[@loganparson6624]

What’s the point of this, no hate just wondering why you would ever wanna do it

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

I answered that in the video.

[@kirwankars8597]

No! Do NOT put it in N for wheel lift towing. That will melt your transfercase. You CAN however rear tow it on a wheel lift tow truck in 2H. With the rear wheels lifted off the ground, and the front wheels rolling.

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

AAA towing manual says it can be towed front or back end up with transfer case in neutral, unlimited distance at highway speed.

[@kirwankars8597]

@@popsjalopyemporium504 NO! they mean FLAT towing, behind an RV. Owner's manuals don't mention tow truck operation. You are SUPPOSED to use N on the transfercase when FLAT towing behind a truck or an RV. NOT one end up lifted on a tow truck. I was a tow driver for 10 years BTW.

[@TaraConti]

Why risk it just flatbed or trailer it...

[@popsjalopyemporium504]

@@kirwankars8597 our towing manuals specify if the procedure is for wheel lift towing or flatbed towing

[@mikebaker3951]

My transfer is stuck on neutral and no lights on dash buttons at all now what should I check it popped in to neutral by itself at 9 MPH and stays in neutral and I wasn't sure where to start.