Question-------------------------i have tryed all of that and even pushing a screwdriver in it dosent lock the front end and i cant find any manuels or parts list for it
Followup To
Question -
hi i just purchased a 1990 chevy extended cab truck i bought it knowing the 4 wheel drive wasnt engaging i figured it would be a simple fix (ha ha)
well heres what i have i lock in the transfer case and it works fine i can see the front shaft turning when my rear tires are spinning but my front tires do nothing. the story i got was that it worked fine until the previous owner had the front axels replaced ( note these are the type of axels that they use in front wheel drive cars) but to me it dosent make any sence for somthing to go wrong because they just bolt on. i have taken the thermal actavater out and it seems to be working but one thing i notice is that out of the housing it gets very hot but when i put it back in the housing it doesnt hardly get hot at all so i figured it might be bad so i went and bought another one still nothing. i have 12 volts at the plug with a good ground. when i drive down the street with the 4 wheel drive engaged the light for my 4 wheel drive flickers but never engages i bought a manuel but it doesnt cover the internals of the front differential so ive already wasted too much money trying to figure it out on my own so now im seeking proffesional help. HELP PLEASE!!
Answer -
Jack up the right front tire, and block it so you can get under the truck, and rotate that tire.
With the engine off, and the key off, the wheel should be able to be rotated.
Turn the key to run, and engage the 4X4 transfer case.
If the actuator is working, you should not be able to rotate the tire now.
If it can be rotated now, I would remove the actuator, and stick a screwdriver in the hole, and push against the spring pressure, while rotating. As you push in, the wheel should lock. That actuator pushes a sleeve that locks the axles to the front differential.
If you use jumper wires to the actuator from the battery, and it works, you may have poor wire connections, or the switch on top of the transfer case might be bad. Sounds like it is trying, but just running out of voltage.
The switch that operates the 4X4 light is operated by the sleeve moving to the lock position.
Van
AnswerHi Dennis,
To find a manual, go to the public library, and look in the refference section...they have stacks of different manuals.
A Mitchell manual covering drive axles will probably be the best bet.
I have never seen one of those differentials out of the truck, so can't help with the insides.
I wonder if during the axle replacement, the drive flanges were pulled out so the seals could be replaced. I don't know that anything could drop loose inside during that proceedure, but It's a thought.
Sorry I can't offer anything more. Good luck,
Van
