2005 Z71 4x4 Problems...Service 4wd

Over the last several months, I have been getting the "Service 4wd" message on my display panel. When this happens, I can't switch the panel from 2wd to any of the 4wd options. Sometimes the truck gets stuck in Auto 4wd when I start it and have to restart to get to 2wd.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, what is the fix? I am thinking I need to take it to the Chevy house, but I know they are going to charge me for every little thing. I appreciate your input.

I had an 04 that did that all the time. It cost me 400 or so at the Chevy house to fix it.

That could be several things. Ususally it's the 4X selector switch. If I'm not mistaken, I think it can be computer diagnosed. Anybody that has a handheld can do this for you. Good luck.

Mine has been coming on every now and then, but I never have any problems with it switching into 4WD. I've heard that it is probably the switch itself; shorting out, bad connection etc. Another common issue I found on the net was the sensor in the hub. If you do not periodically drive it in 4wd, the sensor gets dry and sends the message.

FYI - the switch is $95.00 at Auto Zone.

Yep, but I found that a replacement switch is cheaper than the danged diagnostic fee.

I haven't had a problem in about a month and then used 4wd this weekend at the lease. I was about a mile down the road yesterday after leaving the lease and the "Service 4wd" came on. Didn't think much about it until this morning when none of the lights on the switch are working.

Had to replace the wife 05 avalanche's switch twice now

Remember, You don't always have to take it to the dealer for diagnosis. You can go too a ton of different places, Pep Boys, Auto Zone etc. I aint hatin on the dealerships, I used to work there. I just don't contribute to 5000 sf house payments unless I have to.

If it is the switch on the dash, is it difficult to replace? Do I have to remove the complete dash?

I'm not real familiar with '05's, that's the year I got out of the bizz. I believe the bezel snaps off the dash and the switch is attached to the bezel. Get someone to look at it to be sure.

It's not too bad. Put it in 1st, then pop-off the dash. The problem that I ran into was that the wires on the original switch were so short, it made it hard to pull it out to where you had some room to work on it. Be careful not to break the tabs pulling the dash out.

I have a 2000 4x4 suburban that had same problem. It would get stuck in 4 auto and i would have to pull dash and disconnet switch and then it would go back to 2wd. I just replaced the switch with a used one from a salvage yard and have not had any problems since. Not hard to replace the switch at all. Just follow the previous post about putting in 1st gear, pulling dash back, i think remove to screws that hold switch and disconnet. Good luck.

I am confused as to the "putting in 1st gear" statement. Do I put it in drive so the gear shift is far enough down for the dash to clear? Thanks for the help.

#

Yeah just drop your shifter as far down as you can so the dash will clear it

Tilting your steering wheel all the way down, ans shifting into low will make the bezel clear the column/shifter better coming off.

this truck is super easy to work on compared to some interiors. just do like mentioned above and you will have it made. if you need any help just pm me.

Exactly why I didnt want a push button/ turny nob.

this is true. simpler is always better!

Have had this problem in a couple of my rigs. Either the switch or the actuator on the transfer case.

Well, I had a new switch put in and unfortunately it didn't fix the problem. The Chevy house is telling me that a reprogramming of the transcoder motor likely won't fix the issue either and recommend a new transcoder motor ($900). Really don't want to spend that much to get this fixed. Any other options?

Not sure if this is the same thing but I just had to put an encoder motor on my transfer case. I had it done at a local mechanic shop. The part was around $500 and the labor was $100. Haven't had any problems with my '06 Z71 since then (it's been about 6 weeks).