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Erratic behavior of the 4x4 buttons

62K views 29 replies 13 participants last post by  leocmcguire77 
#1 ·
Hi I just bought a new to me 2003 GMC Sierra Z71 and I was wondering why every morning or when I leave work the 4 wheel drive selector (to the left of the steering wheel) has selected something different. I prefer it in 2 hi just for my normal driving but the other morning the Auto 4wd was selected but i didn't notice until i was half way to work (20kms down the 401) I just left it because i didn't want to be pushing buttons doing 120 kmh down the 401. Some mornings just the little red neutral light will be lit up and no others, this morning the 4 lo was engaged. I noticed that because it was turning hard in my driveway. Is it hard on it to drive in auto 4wd on dry roads and down the highway? I have never owned a truck with auto 4wd before. My previous truck was a 2000 GMC sonoma ZR2 and it didn't have auto, just 2hi, 4hi, 4lo. Thanks in advance for the help. I just got the truck and am trying to get everything figured out. Brad
 
#3 ·
I will look into that....i know i am having some serious issues with my speedometer and instrument cluster right now (I have been reading and sounds like a very common problem)....they must have gotten there circuit boards by the lowest bidder LOL. That sounds like a good place to start. It hasn't done it when i have been driving just when i shut if off and restart it.
 
#6 ·
I actually just got the service 4wd system for the first time yesterday.....the little red neutral light was on and when pushing the 2hi button or any of the buttons nothing happened as in none of the lights would light up or change from 2 to 4 wheel. So i shut the truck off and restarted it and then i could put it in 2hi and it stayed there. Does anybody know what the little red neutral light is for. I know that you can drive with it on but what does it do or mean? Thanks in advance.
 
#7 ·
Just a fyi

1999-07 style trucks were inundated with lots of problems with the push buttons and other electronic 4x4 components. I had a 99, 01 and 04 GMC Sierra's and all 3 had some problem with the poor electronics, all 3 had the oem dash switch replaced and the 01 had a motor in the TC replaced, all when relatively new.

With the NBS trucks they have appeared to correct all these problems with the Rotary selector.
 
#8 ·
I just got a 2003 also.
It is doing this, too, except it is not actually in 4 low when the 4low light is lit up.
(in high gear it isn't in a low gear like when it is actually in 4low)

The computer thinks it is though it seems.
Sometimes it will keep the tranny in high gear with no down shifting.
Starts out in high also.
(a real pig taking off)

It will sometimes have the red light on, which I understand if for neutral in transfer case.
Which I think would not let the truck move if it was actually in neutral?

Is this just the 4x4 push button cluster also?
 
#9 ·
Yup, pretty sure it is.
I had an 2003 Avy that did the same thing. Start with the cluster....
 
#11 ·
Yes, sorry. Replace the module that contains the 4x4 buttons. You are also correct, if it's in neutral, it should not move under it's own power. Neutral is used if you need to tow the vehicle. Be careful with neutral...the truck can roll away, even in "Park".
 
#15 ·
Not sure what to tell you, Brad. It works fine for me. I copied this link from the main page of the site. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. All the manuals are listed there, in .pdf format.
 
#19 ·
here is the issue i am having. I purchased my 2003 silverado z71 about a year ago. about two months back, i startd seing my red neutral light on by my transfer case switches. a few days ago i noticed my Service 4wd message was on and the buttons did not work. When I start the truck, all the lights on the switch flash and then go out. Does this sound like a bad switch? Thanks for any and all help
 
#23 ·
Anyone get this problem figured out? I just bought an 04 Silverado and after a few weeks the 4 wheel drive dash cluster is showing as having the red neutral light lit while driving. It doesn't do this all of the time, but it seems to be doing it more and more. When it does do this, I have no control over the 4 wheel drive function and when I try to use the button cluster to change to auto 4 or 4-HI, it will flash yellow for a few seconds before going back to the red neutral light.

This looks like an old thread, soI hope some has this figured out. I'm worried this problem is going to leave me stranded stuck in neutral one day soon.
 
#24 ·
My truck was stolen before i got anything replaced but it sounds like you need to replace the 4 wheel drive selector buttons, i believe it's sold as a whole new plug and play item......for now try shutting the truck off and restarting and then try the buttons again.....i think that i had to do that a couple times as just a temporary fix......I know all of my trucks i've ever owned i had to have the shifter in neutral to get in and out of 4 low, just 4 low though.
 
#26 ·
Put in your vehicle and under key word type in "transfer case shift" and that should take you to the right page, it's on page #158. You'll have to see which one is yours because they offer 2 P/N 37-0880 and P/N 37-0881......If yours has the "AUTO 4WD" it looks like it's 37-0880......you could check out Rock Auto just to compare prices.
 
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