4x4 wont engage! help!

[Paytonz71]

If the case shifts into 4x4(lock it in and try to spin front drive shaft) but doesn't lock the front diff in there is a few things to check.

1) check the fuse
2) check for power at the front diff actuator
3) if you don't have power at the actuator when t case is in 4x4 check for broken wires to the tcase. If no broken wires it's probably the tcase switch on top of the t case.
4) if you have power at the actuator pull the actuator out and see if it moves when you shift it to 4x4.

Depending on the year of the truck it probably has the thermal actuator which takes time to heat up and move

If no movement actuator is bad replace it

So it's probably the actuator if the front drive shaft doesn't spin when it's locked it and the fuses are good?

 

[98_k1500]

Right.

 

[reno124]

Seeing that you've got a 96 model you can buy a electric actuator so you can just replace actuator without having to do any harness