How To Replace Four Wheel Drive Actuator 1988-1999 Chevy GMC Silverado Sierra

In this video I show how to fix your 4wd if it's not engaging, by replacing the 4 wheel drive actuator located on the front axle. This is a very common and very easy fix! This method works for GMC and Chevy pickup trucks and SUV's that have four wheel drive.
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Due to factors beyond the control of Midwest Garage, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Midwest Garage assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Midwest Garage recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Midwest Garage, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Midwest Garage.
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[@brianwilson8119]

I'm literally sitting in the woods as I'm typing this. I'm done cutting and ready to hook back up to the woodsplitter...my light just keeps flashing and 4÷high wont engage. I went to youtube and you were the first vid that popped up and with my exact symptoms to boot. You are a Godsend.

[@doreschuster4613]

Same here but elec wiring hook up isn't the same old one had two prongs new has five

[@acs22046]

Creators that make videos like this and sharing the knowledge with others is greatly appreciated. I came to youtube to find out what the blinking 4hi LED meant. I found out I never had 4wd! After ordering the part from the link. The fix was less than 5 minutes. Really! It took more time to put the tools away. So far I have tested it in snow and ice and it no longer gets stuck in places that it used to get stuck. It feels like a totally different vehicle now that the 4x4 is really working. Thank you.

[@longwoodbiking1713]

Almost brought my 1989 k1500 to an off-road shop to have the T-case looked at but I saw this video, bought an actuator, changed it in 5 minutes, and bam I took it out bogging today and my 4WD worked perfectly

[@davebiesiada]

Thanks for this video. I went ice fishing today and upon pulling into the public access parking area, my 4WD would not engage on my 95 Tahoe (floor shifter). I checked the fuses and they were fine. I went to O'Reily's and bought an actuator for $65......fixed the problem. I am grateful.

[@kicko61]

This was what was wrong with my 96 gmc for a long time. This fixed it just like you said. GOOD job. Thank you very much.

[@bevskennel]

Thank you!! You made my month. It took me about 12 minutes I should be faster next time!! You sure do know your stuff!!

[@chuzedaredbluepill8679]

Was putting it off will all that I have in the bucket now.., but this was literally a 5min out! 5min in!... blew my socks off - the manual didn't make as much sense as you did my friend. Thank you. My Wife and I live about 60 miles south of Canada in the nort woods of MN. You just helped me to have a good coming Winter! ~8)

[@Nate......]

Awesome man I've been having that same problem and I thought something serious was wrong I'm going to order that part right now hopefully it fixes the problem

[@MrMklee123]

Thanks for posting this video . Just replaced the actuator in my 1993 and I have 4 wheel drive again ! Bless

[@samanthafranklyput]

Well that was 1000 times easier than I thought it was going to be- appreciate the help!

[@AmatuerOasis]

Just changed mine. Used the same part you listed. Worked great. Now on to changing the front diff oil. I noticed it was a mess. probably as old as the truck itself.

[@sanders987-5]

I switched mine out, and it was still not engaging. 4x4 light still flashed. Checked fuse, that was fine too. When I looked at the old actuator, the connections were corroded. Pushing the clamp on and off a few times did the job, it removed enough corrosion to make the connection. It now works. Thanks for the video!

[@livewithinyourmeans]

Thank you my friend. Many folks need to learn how to fix things and save money. I'm learning.

[@doktormoney]

What a great video, you adding the flashing of the light helps me diagnose. I just replaced the switch (ebay $18) and while the lights and relay work more consistently now, the 4wd doesn't do shit. So, I'm gonna replace the actuator next! Thanks!

[@Kurtdog63]

Just got done deer hunting and got stuck in wet grass right beside the road in my 98 Suburban. 4x4 would not engage and light on the button was flashing just like you indicated. I checked the fuse box and fuse looked good. I will try this. Thanks for the awesome information.

[@timowings377]

bro, u r awesome! u r one of the best KZbin guy out there! i am definitely will be focusing & watching all of your videos that is available. thanks bradah!

[@MidwestGarage]

Thanks very much man, that really means a lot!

[@curtisharvey4495]

Bought a used truck and this will immensely help in repairs!

[@mikemcgown6362]

Thanks for the video! Easy explanation for an aggrevating problem.

[@lluwd]

"a little bit of spinning because of the chevy power" lol that got you a like bro!

[@AlphaOmegaOutreach]

Two years ago I replaced this with a Napa part for $41.99. Today it costs $132.99!! LETS GO BRANDON!!

[@returnofsid]

Thank you! 4x4 worked great, a week before the first snow. First snow, nothing!

[@logpile1318]

Thanks for this exactly what I needed.

[@jagco2594]

Hey thanks for this I have 1991 getting ready to do this now. You help out a old man.

[@billharris3049]

Excellent video. Should post vids more often!

[@MidwestGarage]

Thank you! I agree, I love doing it and would love to post more but it seems like life is always happening haha. I appreciate your comment, that means a lot!

[@williamdon3442]

5.7 vortec is a badass motor

[@peterandkodiak9762]

Yet again, another excellent video with great content! A+

[@h_r7708]

I haven't even drove my new truck yet but the guy I got it from said there was a problem with the front actuator. As cheap as the part is and as easy as it is to fix I figure that even if it Isn't the problem it couldn't hurt to have a new one considering how old my truck is. I subbed to your channel and ordered the part with your link. I can't wait for winter to get here.

[@antwanbyers3832]

Good video. had no idea about four wheel drive but this makes perfect since. I'll be buying the actuator and installing for my camping trip cant get stuck in the woods.

[@roxannmartin3687]

Thanks Midwest Garage for the info. & post, I have a Chilton manual that does not have the info you shared in 5 minutes - keep it up & Merry Christmas from Montana !

[@4440chevy]

Thanks buddy, just what I needed to see!

[@alfredoespinoza2956]

Thank you bro ur awesome, made my day I'm back at it...

[@shelbyhuerta]

Great vid brother, thank you

[@spartcrockerify]

This video was a huge help!

[@claytond6565]

Great video! Thanks

[@billsmith2172]

Thanks for the video!

[@Mike-.747]

Life saver. Thank you

[@colemcclain7319]

Nice short and sweet video

[@carspec-therighteyebeforey77]

Thank you for this!!

[@porkchop803scwilliams9]

Man thanks my dads just started doing that today,,liked and subbed,,

[@MidwestGarage]

Thank you for the subscription! I'm glad I could help!

[@tavernwench2383]

I am sooo glad I came across your video. New subscriber here; hope next episode you do a DIY fixing your driver rear tail light bulb lmao

[@1ghosthorse]

Thanks, I will try this. My 1994 K1500 has 411,000 miles. I've replaced the 1/2 shafts & had the transfer case opened. I will try this next. Most likely, I will discover I should have watched this video sooner.

[@banpolly1020]

That's awesome 411,000 miles!! I'm at 326k same motor and tranny only thing done was the rear end at 200k 94k 1500

[@randylatuska9361]

That looks easy. On my 98 I like to cycle through 4L and 4H every now and then just to keep the parts moving. 230,000 miles and it hasnt failed yet.

[@raymendoza3161]

Thanks for the info !

[@austinconaway3314]

I was given a 94 suburban silverado trim, I've been fixing it up done a lot of work with it, my question is since I've had it the front driveshaft has been disconnected, any ideas why it would be taken off? I have it I just dont know what to think of the 4x4 system with the shaft off.

[@Sonee777]

Thanks it’s so easy.

[@marianovillegas8854]

Excellent video tks

[@bobwelch5056]

Very good to know this thank you very much

[@MidwestGarage]

Thank you for the comment! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@eduardocabal8984]

Many thanks bro for the idea👌👍

[@earlparker4208]

THANK YOU BROTHER 😊 ALL VERY HELPFUL !.!.!.!

[@thomascornell6481]

Make sure to check fuse #24 in the fuse box on the side of dash on the drivers side. I put in the new actuator and thought it still wasn't working, but come to find out that the fuse for the 4WD was blown.

[@julieturner258]

Exactly what happened with me. Thnx for posting.

[@akeithmiller274]

Good video. Thanks.

[@ericwerner8430]

Mine went out during the most recent snow storm. It worked when i parked it but then it snowed another foot. Fu.. Had to be pulled out of my driveway. And of course pushed back in. I hope this fixes it. Ill let you know. Thanks for your advice.

[@williamfernandez2118]

This helped out a lot

[@MidwestGarage]

Awesome, I'm glad this was helpful man!

[@nastynate8628]

I have a question. When I press 4hi or 4lo on my 1996 k1500 it will flash whatever selection I press a few times then the light will go back to 2hi. Automotive professor checked it out and thinks it's the transfer case encoder motor. What do you feel like it is?

[@SpectraV3i]

Great Job.

[@tomharmony9269]

Hey man....never realized it was that easy!!! Thanks. Question? I get the light blinking, makes sense. What about the light not light right away...or...if it is lit up, having trouble moving from 2 to 4 or vice versa? Sometimes I have to find a bump and knock it out of 4. Do you think this is also the actuator? I am thinking yes

[@juliesmith3388]

Thank you!

[@Blainiak]

I have a 1994 K2500 with a floor shifter . It pops out of 4 low and sometimes works or doesn’t in 4 high. Also usually no light but sometimes works. Does this sound like it requires the same fix. Thank you.

[@brentfff4601]

Hi. Do you know if the electric upgrade lasts longer than the thermal ones?

[@1993whitenoise]

Is the actuator the same for 1500 or 2500? I got the 454 wondering if it would work?

[@wonderfulviews7689]

Thanks you

[@travishaskell]

Thank you! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😁

[@cantu6730]

Thank you

[@MrBowNaxe]

Great video. This was the cause on my '97 Suburban so when my '99 started doing the same thing I replaced the actuator right away. I still have the same issue with the Service 4WD light coming on. I've popped the switch out and fuse a few times and sometimes it clears the issue and works fine. Any suggestions?

[@aokbikelife5564]

My 98 k1500 engages in 4x4 fine but makes a knock in the front diff when u take off hard but not at a slow speed??? Would this actuator help??

[@ryankula6305]

Well Done!

[@thatgaming3006]

So, i have a 99 Yukon denali. I get no indicator lights at all and im sure its stuck in 2wd. Could this be it? I dont hear anything, but the truck is loud so mm

[@AzenBerries]

What would be considered normal 4wd behavior to not normal? When it's in 4wd and I do turns or tight turns and drive it'll like slip or try to catch but doesn't in 2wd. Today I put on some newer tires but I went from 16 to 20s and it does it more in 4wd and 2wd somewhat. Any advice?

[@edthinking1]

Question: 1994 gmc 2500, won’t go into 4x4. One additional point is that when i put it in 4lo, it doesn’t move at all. When i try to shift from 4lo (not in park) it will grind. Is that an actuator? Linkage? Broken xfer case? Thoughts?

[@SuperFuely]

Hello, I have a 1988 GMC K1500 4WD step side and my 4WD floor shifter will not move into 4-High or 4-Low. Will move into Neutral, but not the other 2 positions. Does my floor shift have a linkage that goes to the actuator you're showing? I think 1988 may be different, but not sure, haven't been under yet. Thanks, Joe

[@burnerloco4138]

I'm getting a clicking noise when I push the 4 hi button light comes on than off. clicking noise sounds like its coming from under dash? do you think this a relay or the front axle actuator?

[@krisqo]

I doubt I'll get an answer with this being an older video, however i have a 99 suburban 1500 I cant seem to find the wires in the dash that run to the actuator is there anyway to replace them. Ive been having some issues with my transmission and i think it may be related to the actuator not being powered

[@clauderinehart6373]

Is a 96 GMC suburban the same. I was told that it has one on the rear/front diiferential.

[@giuseppeverdi1253]

Very informative video. I replaced mine about two years ago but began to leak a little. I had to remove it and place a little teflon tape on the threads and hasn't leaked since. I've read where the pre-1998 GM 4x4's used thermal actuators to engage the front diff., then they switched to a motor or solenoid. There is supposed to be a wiring modification to make the later actuator function....perhaps making a video on that mod.?

[@doreschuster4613]

Where do you get that modificator

[@keithmuska]

@@doreschuster4613 You need the wiring harness and the electronic actuator. Wiring harness GM Part 88959465 or Dorman part 600-600 and the Actuator GM Part 26060073 or any other compatible unit. You do have to route a new wire and spice it into your Transfer Case wiring harness, but the Dorman wiring harness comes with instructions. It's a fairly easy upgrade.

[@jacquespellerin1313]

Great video, I didn’t see part nbr from amazon, can you give me pn for 97 Tahoe

[@TrippyWoodStock]

Hey man what size wheel/tire combo is that? Looks good I have a 96 k1500

[@jamesturpin8271]

Thanks

[@jstassi3]

what are the other wires coming from the top of the differential that go through the white three pin connector?

[@50thstateofmind37]

I bought this on Amazon from the description in this video for my 98 silverado and it's the wrong one!what can I do?

[@JonOffgrid]

grate video sir michigan ? i am form there

[@Galt4570]

The actuator on my 98 Suburban looks different, and there’s a separate switch? Not the switch on the dash. A vid on that replacement would be great, if possible.

[@nrgyzr2012]

I'm having the same problem with a 97 GMC Sierra extended cab. My four-wheel drive has been working intermittently, whenever it feels like it, for the last couple of years. My question is, to go into 4-wheel drive, do I need to be in park? Neutral? Drive? Or do I need to be moving? Or any of the above? I wish I would have figured it out earlier because right now we've got 10 inches of snow in Indiana!

[@robertlittleeagle8714]

My 94 chevy 1500 with floor shift and it keeps blowing a fuse every time I put it into 4x4. So I changed the actuator. And it still blows a fuse when I put it in 4x4. What next?

[@pizzagametime3604]

You said to make sure the plunger is all the way in if you’re in 2 wheel drive. If someone is in 4 low, and trying to get to 4hi or back to 2 hi the plunger would be out when screwing in? Ordering the part today! Great video.

[@bennybyrd2470]

my 92 gmc 1500 has a single wire hanging and i cant find where it goes. any ideas

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

The actual actuator actually actuated!!

[@PacoOtis]

Dude! We owe you a beer! I want to order the part but can't find your Amazon path so you can get credit.

[@scotthoover9971]

I have a 1998 k1500 and sitting in park I cant get the rpms to go above 1800. Any ideas

[@brandenreiber6272]

What is the 2nd wire that’s on top of the actuator mine is not hooked up

[@jessicahunt1199]

What did iy soumd like whrn hou pit in 4 wheel and tried to pull off did it make a clicking noise

[@bigaparker1977]

I want to buy a truck like this. Test drove it and it got stuck in 4 lo. The lights just blink when u hit the button. If I just unplug the module could I get it home in 2 wheel until I get the part.

[@flojoprez91]

I have a 1999 suburban k2500 when I push the button for the 4wd hi, it stays lit, when I press the 4wd Low it only blinks. Can that be the same problem?

[@elmonstro7618]

Send it brah 🤙🏻

[@Haph_hazard]

Hey man, my 4wd wont engage but it isnt flashing. The 2wd button light goes out when I press 4hi or lo but when I let go the 2wd button just lights back up. Any ideas?

[@axr04]

I have a 1996 K1500 single cab the 4x4 Button it stays clicking but I can hear the 2wd activate and deactivate I will try this out and hopefully it works.

[@l-trainzero1451]

What about just 4low not working, I’m a new subscriber. Thanks for the video

[@savageloko1]

Same question

[@mikemoreno9054]

Would this work for my 98 Chevy when the light it’s self isn’t lighting up?

[@shaolung5342]

Thanks I needed that information. Too bad you don't have an amazon link for us Canadians :)

[@g0e2real46]

Have a 98 k1500 the button inside wont turn on even in 2wd the light just stays off or only sometimes comes on but it will not engage 4x4. Checked the fuses all good there. What should be the next thing to check?

[@805BeachRecoveries]

Try replacing the 4wd controller switch (the buttons).. it's like 30 bucks on Amazon and see if it lights up.. that would be step 1.. if you're getting lights but it won't engage 4wd, then move onto the actuator

[@williamgoedicke6598]

Does it does it in 4wd low also cause clunks and eventually goes back into 4wd high?