• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Auto 4WD Questions

S

slohand

GUEST
Been lurking for a while and love the boards. I actually have 2 questions.

1. Is it possible for just the auto 4WD not to work. I had it engaged last night and was sliding around (it was snowing) until I engaged 4 Hi.

2. I had a bad 4WD switch when I first bought my truck and it was repaired, but it still says service 4WD. Is this something that needs to be reset, or is there still a problem, like a bad auto 4WD ;D
 
Slohand:

Auto 4 wheel drive does not engage until slippage occurs. You will therefore get some sliding while in auto.

If your light is on, the only way to tell if something is wrong is to have the OBD system scanned. They can then tell what's wrong.

Joe
 
Had no problems moving my AV this morning with about 7" on the ground had to move it so's i could clean around it with my SNOWBLOWER >:D >:D >:D
 
the light does go on.

I thought the same as you when it first slipped so I hit the gas twice more to see if it would engage, but it just continued to slide until I put it in 4hi

I'll bring it in for the scan.

thanks for the help
 
3-4-03 UPDATE
Just got back from the dealer. They found code C0327. They handed me a document with ID # 1243149 which stated 4WD LIGHT, 4WD INOPERATIVE, DTCs C0327, P0836, P0500 (PERMANENT FIX NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME) #03-0-21-001 - (02/14/2003)

I do not have the time right know to type the whole thing in but the jist of the document is that there is a problem with one of the modules and to replace it with a new one at this time is not going to help. So the bottom line is I may or may not have 4WD when I need it and they have know idea when they will have a fix. There only solution was to remove the 4WD fuse so that the 4WD system would be inoperative. If the module failed when in 4WD it would be stuck in 4WD. Then I would not be able to drive it. Not sure what to do at this point. If anybody has experiance with this condition I would appriciate it if you would tell your story
 
Are they offering to fix it? What do they propose? Even if they have to replace everything all the way down to the floormats it seems that under warranty they're obligated to. If that fails, can you say "Lemon Law"?
 
LazKat said:
Are they offering to fix it? What do they propose? Even if they have to replace everything all the way down to the floormats it seems that under warranty they're obligated to. If that fails, can you say "Lemon Law"?
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with Lazkat. You should be under warranty. You paid for a 4wd then it is up to them to make sure you get 4wd no matter how many times they have to replace that module or anything else dealing with the 4wd unit.

 
According to GM they do not have a fix at this time. They said there is nothing they can do until GM engineers find a solution. My dealer said "Not my problem. Here is the customer service phone #. He said he understands and will fix it when GM gives them a solution."

I made my first phone call to GM today. We will see what they will do.

nfhjr said:
They HAVE to fix it under WARRENTY or else ?;D
Click to expand...
 
I'm really sorry to hear about your truck. As it turns out mine was what they called a "blown speed sensor" in the transfer case. I don't really know what this is, but it took about an hour to fix.

good luck
 
I'd go through GM and find the district or regional manger (director, VP, whoever...) and ask what is being done about the problem and, if it can't be fixed, ask about a buyback and/or replacement. Somewhere in the conversation use the words "litigation" and "warranty." Like me, you'd probably rather they just fix it and fix it right, but they *are* responsible for 'making it right.'
 
LazKat said:
I'd go through GM and find the district or regional manger (director, VP, whoever...) and ask what is being done about the problem and, if it can't be fixed, ask about a buyback and/or replacement. ?Somewhere in the conversation use the words "litigation" and "warranty." ? ?Like me, you'd probably rather they just fix it and fix it right, but they *are* responsible for 'making it right.'
Click to expand...

I never said that they won't fix it I said that they Don't know how to fix it. You are right I would rather they just fixed it right.
 
Actually, this happened to me last week. Oddly enough, I was in the dealer's parking lot at the time. Anyway, I was told there's a tech note out for the Silverado that says in the event of a Service 4WD light in conjunction with the Auto 4WD/2HI/4HI/4LO indicator lights going out, the fix is to replace the selector switch.

My dealer replaced the switch even though when I brought it back everything was working fine. All has been well since.

As to the original question, I had a chance to test out the Auto 4WD setting. It worked great; seemlessly in and out of 4WD as needed.
 
LazKat said:
I'd go through GM and find the district or regional manger (director, VP, whoever...) and ask what is being done about the problem and, if it can't be fixed, ask about a buyback and/or replacement. ?Somewhere in the conversation use the words "litigation" and "warranty." ? ?Like me, you'd probably rather they just fix it and fix it right, but they *are* responsible for 'making it right.'
Click to expand...

Damn skippy! They built the truck, and are telling you they don't know how to fix it? For $40k they BETTER know how to fix it. Be the biggest pain in their @$$ that you CAN be, dude! :8:
 
This is unacceptable. I am going to escalate this today to the highest level contacts I have in GM. I can't believe that the resolution is "no resolution," at this time.
 
Chief said:
This is unacceptable. ?I am going to escalate this today to the highest level contacts I have in GM. ?I can't believe that the resolution is "no resolution," at this time.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Any help in finding a solution is appreciated.


 
Just wrote a high level contact - in part:

I wanted to escalate an issue that one of our members reported today...that Auto Trac did not seem to be functioning properly when they used it in a recent snowstorm on their 2003 Avalanche. They took it into service and this was the answer they were given:

3-4-03 UPDATE
Just got back from the dealer. They found code C0327. They handed me a document with ID # 1243149 which stated 4WD LIGHT, 4WD INOPERATIVE, DTCs C0327, P0836, P0500 (PERMANENT FIX NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME) #03-0-21-001 - (02/14/2003)

The dealers solution was to remove the fuse and disable their 4WD system. So now the new Avalanche they bought has no 4WD and according to the dealer information above, no fix for them at this time.

Can you get an engineer to comment on this...

My experience so far has been HIGHLY responsive with this person - I'll keep you posted... ;D
 
I would also like to thank you Chief for looking into this. Just today I called my dealer in Staples MN. to inform them that the service 4 WD light came back. I know the service manger and others [small town] he said chevy is working hard on it. He said he had other people with this trouble and he's keeping a close look out for the repair. Service manager said as soon as he hears form chevy that I will get a call. I told him about this site and said don't be surprize if I find out first and give you a call. Thanks again Dwayne.
 
My service 4wd light came on twice this weekend. Fearless Leader have you heard any thing back yet. Just trying to get this active
 
Service 4WD Message came on again today for the 6th time in 13 days. This SUCKS!!!! By the way I have only owned it for 13 Days. Problem started on 2nd day. I think it has something to do with the cold. Did not happen for past 4 days but this morning it is in the 20's and it came on again. Fearless Leader where are you.

edit: 3-10-03 at 1:15
It came on again today at lunch for #7.

edit: 3-10-03 at 8:50
It came on three times tonight for #8, 9 and#10.
 
I'm still getting the service 4wd massage around once a day. If there is a three strikes and your out plan on repairs then I could name that tune in three days. If it was not such a pain in the hinder I would be a general problem. I coud go from dealer to dealer every day untill chevy could fix it or tell me whats going on.
 
DWAYNE said:
I'm still getting the service 4wd massage around once a day. If there is a three strikes and your out plan on repairs then I could name that tune in three days. If it was not such a pain in the hinder I would be a general problem. I coud go from dealer to dealer every day untill chevy could fix it or tell me whats going on.
Click to expand...

DWAYNE,
Are we the only ones on this forum having these problems? The past three days I have had the Service 4WD come on at least 20 times. GM will do nothing for me . No solution to the problem, no time on when it will be fixed, no buyback, no exchange for another truck, no extended warranty. Basically they have said it is my problem now until they can figure out what is wrong. My dealer said he spoke to the local rep. and was told it is a "brand" problem and they will not do anything for me. Basically they do not want the number of people who have this problem to start yapping that they got an extended warranty or a buyback. Can you say $$$$$$$$. From what I was told they are having a lot of problems thru out the truck line with this. Hope this gets resolved soon. Today while sitting at a light It felt like the transfer case engaged by itself. This happened twice today.

P.S. Have you noticed that there has not been any reply's from the Fearless Leader about this. Seems like somebody wants this to go underground.

Ya I am pissed.
 
Is this a 2003 model problem? I haven't seen anyone with a 2002 complain about this, or did I just miss it? I've used the Auto 4WD all winter and it has worked great, even in 6 inches of sleet. Or should I just be "knocking on wood" ??
 
I used my Auto4WD for several weeks in a row this winter, without any trouble. It works very well on my 2003 (knocks on wood).

Mike :B:
 
1Gil1 said:
Is this a 2003 model problem? ?I haven't seen anyone with a 2002 complain about this, or did I just miss it? ?I've used the Auto 4WD all winter and it has worked great, even in 6 inches of sleet. ?Or should I just be "knocking on wood" ??
Click to expand...
Yes it is a 2003 model problem. It is also happening on the Suburbans, Tahoes, Yukons, and Silverado's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top