Will not shift back to 2wd
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Upper Michigan
Will not shift back to 2wd
Today was a good day to get the truck ready for the upcoming snow removal season. Cleared some KOEO codes. KOER is another topic. I had a manual hub acting up and fixed that issue. Truck was shifting nice from 2wd to 4wd high. Went for a ride shifting in and out of both modes. Stopped the truck, placed it in N and shifted to 4wd L. Seemed a little tough going into 4wd L. I didn't put a lot of pressure on it but it was more than what I thought should be normal. Drove a bit on it and stopped to bring it back into 2wd. At that time I couldn't pick up 2wd. It will go into 4wd high according to the display and it is in 4wd high. Also the shifter is as far forward as it should be for 2wd, but still in 4wd high. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Upper Michigan
Will check the linkage. Took a peek under there when the problem was occurring but didn't look at the linkage real hard. The shifter lower end appeared to be setting into the appropriate slots for both modes. Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Did the shifter actually move forward between what "should be" 4HI and 2HI? And do you have manual hubs? If so to both, shift to 2HI (well, what SHOULD be 2HI) again and unlock the hubs (alternately, you can shift to 2HI and reverse for 10-15 feet to unlock the auto centrifugal hubs). Then slide under and see if the forward driveshaft and/or axle shafts turn freely. If so, then the t-case IS shifting to 2WD, and the switch for the light is stuck. Just happened to one of our '95s (the one with fewer miles, ironically). Cheap easy replacement.
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Senior User
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From: Upper Michigan
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Senior User
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From: Upper Michigan
Did the shifter actually move forward between what "should be" 4HI and 2HI? And do you have manual hubs? If so to both, shift to 2HI (well, what SHOULD be 2HI) again and unlock the hubs (alternately, you can shift to 2HI and reverse for 10-15 feet to unlock the auto centrifugal hubs). Then slide under and see if the forward driveshaft and/or axle shafts turn freely. If so, then the t-case IS shifting to 2WD, and the switch for the light is stuck. Just happened to one of our '95s (the one with fewer miles, ironically). Cheap easy replacement.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
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Did the shifter actually move forward between what "should be" 4HI and 2HI? And do you have manual hubs? If so to both, shift to 2HI (well, what SHOULD be 2HI) again and unlock the hubs (alternately, you can shift to 2HI and reverse for 10-15 feet to unlock the auto centrifugal hubs). Then slide under and see if the forward driveshaft and/or axle shafts turn freely. If so, then the t-case IS shifting to 2WD, and the switch for the light is stuck. Just happened to one of our '95s (the one with fewer miles, ironically). Cheap easy replacement.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
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That could simply be an issue with the shifter. You'll need an assistant for this -- slither under the truck and watch the linkage as a helper moves (or attempts to move) the shifter. You'll see there's a pin on the linkage that rides on a detent "plate". It may be hung up there, just needing some lubrication. That's where I'd start looking, anyway.
Next step I'm thinking I'll try to take things apart from inside the cab to see if I can see anything from there. Anyone have any ideas or tips?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 742
From: Maryland
This was the issue. The linkage is not springing back up, after it gets pushed down to go into 4 Lo. Once I push the shift lever down, I can shift between 4 Hi and 4 Lo, but the gate mechanism under the truck blocks it from moving forward to 2wd, because it doesn't pop back up on it's own. I tried lubing it from below the truck and it didn't fix anything. I'm able to tap it up with a hammer from below the truck, and then it shifts between 2wd and 4 Hi no problem. But once I push it down again to get into 4 Lo, same issue - the linkage won't pop back up on its own again.
Next step I'm thinking I'll try to take things apart from inside the cab to see if I can see anything from there. Anyone have any ideas or tips?
Next step I'm thinking I'll try to take things apart from inside the cab to see if I can see anything from there. Anyone have any ideas or tips?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 742
From: Maryland
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