# Chevy four wheel drive problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-four-wheel-drive-problem/60819>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, 1500\
**Created:** [February 3, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-four-wheel-drive-problem/60819 "2011-02-03T06:25:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![superUPer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@superUPer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/superUPer)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-four-wheel-drive-problem/60819/1 "2011-02-03T06:25:38Z")

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I have a 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500HD that will not engage into four wheel drive. I would like to avoid giving the stealership $100 just for diagnostics. I would also like to avoid throwing parts at it in an attempt to fix the problem. I know the actuators commonly go out. How can I verify that they work or not?  
  
  
  
 The symptoms:  
  
 I press the 4hi button (yes the dreaded push button chevy 4x4). It blinks a few times and stays solid like normal. I can hear a whirring at the transfer case and at the front axle. The front tires will not break traction (this is on a snowy road).  
  
  
  
 I press the 4lo button. Whirring at the t case, kind of a clunk at the front axle. Again, front tires will not break traction.  
  
  
  
 I press 4auto. After a while, the service 4x4 light comes on. I do not get this light when using 4hi or lo.  
  
  
  
 The 4x4 worked great when I bought this truck a few months ago. I checked the t case fluid the other day while trying to figure this out, it is pitch black and stinks. I have lots of experience with t case fluids from working in a quick lube, this smell was not normal.  
  
  
  
 Any ideas?  
  
 thanks

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/chevy-four-wheel-drive-problem/60819/2 "2011-02-03T14:01:26Z")

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Have it scanned for codes and post them here. Not the description but the actual code number.