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dirtautoguy

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my dad has a 98 GMC k2500 with the push button 4wd. he compains to me fairly often that its slow to go into 4wd. I know that some of these trucks had the thermal switches that took a minute but I thought that in 96 they had been updated. I keep thinking that its probably the actuator.

he says that the light just flashes a bunch and is really slow to go into 4wd. is there anything to look into or any ideas. I have a floor shifter style and dont know alot about the push button although I am sure they operate pretty similar. the actuator has a switch n the front axle and the transfer case has a switch setup too. but whats different?
 

Fuzzy

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GM never sold any trucks with the update actuator as far as I know, it was always a aftermarket replacement. Easy way to check is to look at the front differential infront of the passenger side axle tube. The OEM thermal actuators look like this

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the aftermarket electronic ones look like this

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Basically the factory one will have a smaller aluminum body whereas the aftermarket ones have a much larger plastic body.

So your assumption that it's the actuator is most likely correct, not much else will cause the slow engagement symptom.
 

RichLo

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also with push button some more things to look at is vacuum line leaks or a rusted actuator cable will cause slow engagement.
 
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