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"Service 4wd" On DIC

R

roguewave

GUEST
First post but been lurking for quite some time now, I've learned a lot. Now I have a post about receiving a "Service 4wd" message on the DIC on my 2003 Z71 AV, (3000 miles new).
I went over to my buddy's house to see his day old 2003 Dodge 4x4. After he gave me the run down of his truck, it was my turn since he hasn't seen my new truck up close. When I turned the ignition message "Service 4WD" popped up on the DIC!. To my surprize and not having a good explaination for this, I spat out "it is due for it's 3000 mile service, this truck tells you everything". He did know any better and as soon as I got home I called the dealer to make an appointment. Also no lights are on indicating 2HI, 4AUTO, 4HI, 4L. Seems to ride fine.
Any ideas what it could be? I ran a search and couldn't find any related topics.

 
I had the "service 4wd" message pop up within the first 500 miles. Most likely you have what I had, a faulty 4wd dash selector switch. I took mine in to the dealer and after a couple of days waiting for the right switch to be sent it was fixed. Now I have 2700 miles on it and have used the 4wd occassionally and have not had a problem.

This has been a known problem for other GM 4wd vehicles, especially silverados, and that is where I picked up what it was. The dealer was not surprised in the least to see me there with this problem. It is probably something GM should have fixed before it left the factory.

Don't make the same mistake I did, make sure before you take it in that they have the right switch for your avalanche, before you go.

Best of luck to you.
 
My father has a 1500 HD 4X4. He had a siliar problem when after trying to put it in 4 wheel drive, his finger missed the button and struck 2 buttons at the same time. All of the drive option buttons blinked and then a red one came on with the "service" instructions. A call to the dealership set things straight, they said to just turn the truck off for a while and it should reset when turned on later. he left it off for that night, the next day, everything was back to normal.
I don't know of course if this is the same problem or not, maybe just useless advice?! good luck
 
4WD selector has probably gone north...time to see the dealer. How embarassing! :3:
 
From the 2003 Owner's Manual: "If a problem occurs with the four wheel drive system,
this message will appear on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed,
or appears again when you begin driving, the four wheel
drive system needs service."

It's probably just the switch like SD AV said, but that's what warranties are for. :cool:
 
Same probelm here but only once did it show up. As soon as I cleared the DIC (with another function only) I have not had it display since

"D-man" (Hoping NOT to have this problem)
 
My 2003 also had this error but by the time I made it to dealer the next day the problem had reset itself so thier was no error code they looked at it for 4 hours and told me to come back if it does it again right away.

I am told that whatever mode you are in when this happens will be what you are in till it is fixed or resets itself as it is prone to do.
 
Yup...it's a switch problem. I have a 2003 Silverado 2500HD and the service 4WD came on after 1100 miles. I'm still waiting for the switch. Nice QC Chevy!
 
Well, I just hit 4500 miles in my AV and in the worst possible situation, my Service 4wd light came on - I was on a job site with 8" of untraveled snow and a frozen mud bed under the snow - Called the dealer (worried that I was in some really big trouble) and was told "It is just your switch - that is a standard problem with all switches on Chevy trucks. It is only a 15 min fix - we can fit you in on Monday" - O.k. what in the world is going on if the my dealer even knows that there is a problem but Chevy does not???? And so after testing the AV's ability to drive is snow and ice in 2WD drive (which surprisingly was pretty impressive (a 4WD F-150 was spinning tires like crazy getting out)) I am now home trying to stay warm in 5 degree weather - with more snow in the forcast for this weekend - This couldn't of happened at a worse time!! WAKE UP CHEVY! YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!
 
Yup - part of National Meet planning is working with the General to make sure that the local Chevy dealer is well stocked with common problem Avalanche parts for the '02 and '03 models - the switch is a problem. The good news is if we have access to the parts it is a DIY job that takes only 10 to 15 minutes...
 
Just bought my 2003 AV - Z71 a month ago. Had this service message come up within days of buying it, probably only 100 miles on it when it came up. It was on there twice when I got into the truck, the third time when I was heading to the dealer it was gone and everything was fine. Haven't had a problem since.
 
When I took the truck in for service at my local dealer, they found a code 1000 after about 1 1/2 hours of diagnostics. Service manager told me that they had to recharge my battery because they drained it trying to find the problem. 4 1/2 hours later they "reflashed" something and I was finally out the door. I guess I can't complain, they did not have do a "phyical repair" like take apart the dash or something, they did everything through the computer. He couldn't speculate what caused the code. Thanks for all the replies!
 
Well, my light came on twice and went off after that. Today it was in the shop and they found the problem code in the computer - it was the switch as guessed. 30 mins later (had to get an oil change while I was there) I was back on the road and rolling - Great feeling that it wasn't anything to big - still sucks I missed two hours of work! Oh, well, that is just part of owning a vehicle!
 
I also have the Service 4WD message on my 2003 Silverado 2500HD (after 1000 miles!) . Dealer says it is the switch. Have an appt. next week to have it replaced but message is now continuous and there are no indicator lights (e.g. 2HI, 4HI, 4LO) on the electronic transfer case switch! :8:

Since I do not even know if I'm in 2WD or 4WD, truck is going to dealer tomorrow. I will be towing 6500lbs over the weekend with slippery roads. Don't want to get stuck.

Moral of the story...take care of the problem immediately to avoid either getting stuck or running in 4WD when you shouldn't be!

Lesson for GM...be a little quicker to realize you are using a defective part and take some definitive action!
 
I know this is a very old thread, but just had mine has been doing the same service 4WD on DIC and loss of indicator lights on 2WD etc, 2005 2500 LT, I was told it needed a whole new wiring harness, and the new one is more water tight, and water in the harness was to blame. I will wait and see. Nice thing is didn't cost me a penny!
 
Thanks for keeping the thread alive, I've had this error for 2 weeks now, had the passenger side axle seal replaced last week, (needed, not part of the code) and what they called "reprogramming of the 4 wheel drive system" to get rid of the error.  2 days later, the code was back, and the switch has issues now.  The difference I think I have is that a couple of times now mine has tried to shift.  If I shut it off and restart it, all the lights go out on the switch, and it's in 2 wd.  When it's trying to shift the red neutral light is on and either 4 lo or no additional lights are on, but it's while driving.  I have to make an appointment tomorrow for it, but any additional info anyone has could be helpful.  Has anyone fixed this out of warranty?  How much is the switch itself?  Any problems with the actuator?

thanks
 
That was my problem too, they re-programmed it twice and as I was driving it drop to 4wd low. Then they replaced the actuator finally.
 
firemedic said:
I know this is a very old thread, but just had mine has been doing the same service 4WD on DIC and loss of indicator lights on 2WD etc, 2005 2500 LT, I was told it needed a whole new wiring harness, and the new one is more water tight, and water in the harness was to blame. I will wait and see. Nice thing is didn't cost me a penny!
Click to expand...

Just an update, I have not had the Service 4WD on again. Been in all weather including days of rain. Looks like the new harness works!
 
firemedic said:
Just an update, I have not had the Service 4WD on again. Been in all weather including days of rain. Looks like the new harness works!
Click to expand...

The service 4x4 thing is intermittent so it could be a coincidence.  I had similar problems and DTC's that went away and came back whenever.  Ultimate solution was a new actuator sensor in the transfer case.  (3rd thread I've posted this answer in)
 
roguewave said:
First post but been lurking for quite some time now, I've learned a lot.  Now I have a post about receiving a "Service 4wd" message on the DIC on my 2003 Z71 AV, (3000 miles new).  
I went over to my buddy's house to see his day old 2003 Dodge 4x4.  After he gave me the run down of his truck, it was my turn since he hasn't seen my new truck up close.  When I turned the ignition message "Service 4WD" popped up on the DIC!. To my surprize and not having a good explaination for this, I spat out "it is due for it's 3000 mile service, this truck tells you everything".   He did know any better and as soon as I got home I called the dealer to make an appointment.  Also no lights are on indicating 2HI, 4AUTO, 4HI, 4L.  Seems to ride fine.  
Any ideas what it could be?  I ran a search and couldn't find any related topics.
Click to expand...
 
Had service4wd come on dic any help be apricated. My av2005 with 57489 miles
seems to be intermint any service bullentens avaiable for help.
 
welcome to the club Diadar
have you had it scanned for codes? that will help us narrow it down some
 
went to the dealer tonight. They said it is a sensor in the front diff. Have too pull the front drive shaft and replace the sensor in the acuator $75. dollars for the part + 1.5 hours labor. Ill let you know if it works. Thanks for the reply . Just learning to enjoy this sight
 
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