GM front diff/actuator questions

[magik235]

I am posting this for a friend.

1994 GMC K2500, 5.7L, 4l60E, 241C case, floor shift.

My plow truck has no 4wd. The front actuator is not engaging. After two fuses I figure out its time to replace the damn actuator. I replace said actuator and the S.O.B. is still blowing fuses. I checked all the plugs, they are clean, making contact.

I can roll down my snow covered drive way for about six seconds before the fuse pops. Any one have any ideas?

 

[shady]

unplug the actuator then try it again, if still blows fuse it is a bad relay or pinched/shorted wires

 

[Fordum]

A version of this will fix it.

http://www.central4wd.com/inventorydetail.aspx?page=id|11801;folder|5224

I think there are several suppliers now. I believe that Warn made the first one.
It takes an extra step to put it in 4wd, but it is positive, and will stay in until you take it out.

Most 4X4 suppliers sell them. I just grabbed the first one that had pictures.

They're not too hard to put on. I put the last one on laying on a plastic tarp in mud in a swamp.

Does away with the whole factory system, so you don't have to worry about blown fuses.

 

[bigred81]

Check the switch on top of the transfer case have had them short out internally and all you need is a cresent wrench.

 

[dhcomp]

I'd go with a cable lock style.

That being said, you can remove the actuator, attach a little block to the end of it, and reinstall to lock the front end in "permanently" on a plow truck, i'd go this route.

 

[coloradoblazers]

Is it a 6 or 8 lug?
I have a posi 4x4 kit for a 6 lug 2500 that I installed on a truck- only to find out that I had a broken axle, not actuator. I would be willing to sell it if u wanted....

 

[rob h]

Do you install this on the axle instead of the actuator..? My 03 is all push button, i wonder will it work for me and just use the dash switch to engage the t-case. Would that work or am i seeing it wrong..?


EDIT.....scratch that, they dont make one for it.

 

[magik235]

A response from my friend is below.

*****
I did pull the actuator and operate it. It did NOT blow a fuse. So i know its something in the front not letting it operate correctly.
Anyone been into one of these? or know what to look for in there?
I really don't want to drop this chunk if i don't have to.
Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[magik235]

Here is his solution to his problem.

*****
(Saturday) With impending DOOM in the not to far future. I drive the "lovely" (Government Motors) product in front of the garage and begin again!
Current standing at this time. 4WD will engage, but only lasts for about 10 minutes before the fuse blows. GGGRRRRR

Take off plow, back truck up, get out jack and stands...It starts to rain

Lay under truck with multi-meter, in rain, on a once dry piece of cardboard. Why in the hell does the wiring harness have to go on top of the trans, to behind the engine

Crawl out from under truck....ponder....have a Lucky....ponder a little more...

To hell with the factory wiring, i'll wire it myself. So a few hours later, I have a rather custom switch(with backlighting), mounted on the floor next to the shifter. The wires are all run. The connections are all weather pack. The entire circuit is protected by 20 amp self resetting circuit breaker, and all of the wire is 14 ga

(No crappy, pansy ass 18 ga wire like GM used).
Bench test old actuator, I'll be damned, it works. Cool, that will be the guinea pig actuator in my circuit. Install, splice wires, remove jack stands. Its snowing by now, after 2 hours of rain, so EVERYTHING is nice and cold and wet and slushy

Take truck out onto driveway, shift into 4hi, flip switch, feather throttle. NOTHING

Feather throttle again, front diff engages and off we go!!!!
Test drive(a.k.a. pound the piss-out-of) for 10 minutes. IT WORKS!!!
Put plow on truck, plow driveway, back of farmyard, between sheds...IT WORKS!!!

(Shameless bragging part)
Get out of truck, smile very happily, and come to the realization(again) that there is no pile that i can't make work somehow

Go in house, get out of wet clothes, and have a very LARGE cup of Hot Chocolate. (Adult style hot chocolate, with Butterscotch and Cinnamon schnapps included)
Once again, life is good on the farm.