i'm stuck in 4hi...bad switch?

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bigmax88

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last night i used the 4 wheel drive in my 98 expy(my switch reads 2hi a4wd 4hi and 4lo) i put it in 4 hi and instead it went to a4wd and the light on the dash flickered between a4wd and 4hi really fast about 20 times and then stayed in 4hi. no matter what i select it stays in 4 hi. and says 4x4 on the dash even when i select something else almost like the switch is dead. it has flickered like that before from a4wd to 4x4 really fast a few times but it always came out. so is it my switch or the motor on the transfer case? if it was the motor i dont think the light on the dash would flicker like that would it?

one more question, can i drive in 4 high at any speed? becasue i have been driving like this and it seems to be fine driving in 4 hi and the owner manual doesnt say any thing about traveling at reduced speeds.
 
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tonydiv

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That sure sounds like a trasnfer case motor gone bad.

If you bang on the t-case motor a little bit and then get in, start it, and let the vehicle roll slightly while in neutral, you may be able to get it to go back in to 2wd.
 
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bigmax88

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That sure sounds like a trasnfer case motor gone bad.

If you bang on the t-case motor a little bit and then get in, start it, and let the vehicle roll slightly while in neutral, you may be able to get it to go back in to 2wd.

does the dash light work from the switch or the motor? why would it flicker like that, like its spazzin out
 
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nvycrmn

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i agree, sounds like the motor is bad. if you are stuck in 4h, i wouldnt recommend over 50-60mph. you can run that speed and shouldnt have any problems but i def dont suggest running 80mph on the highway! quick way to burn out tranny. you cant even get it back in 2wd while in neutral? what i used to have to do in my chevy is put it in neutral, switch to 2wd or 4wd, put in reverse to engage it, then i could drive. maybe try that.
 
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bigmax88

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i agree, sounds like the motor is bad. if you are stuck in 4h, i wouldnt recommend over 50-60mph. you can run that speed and shouldnt have any problems but i def dont suggest running 80mph on the highway! quick way to burn out tranny. you cant even get it back in 2wd while in neutral? what i used to have to do in my chevy is put it in neutral, switch to 2wd or 4wd, put in reverse to engage it, then i could drive. maybe try that.

yea man i tried all the tricks, it just wont go back. ill probably get a new motor, but i know that as soon as i do it will be a bad switch instead, lol
 

nvycrmn

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hahah, yeah, thats the way it goes!. maybe you should try the switch first. a little cheaper that way. could just be a short (fingers crossed). you can find the part on craigslist or ebay for pretty cheap. try that and if that doesn work, then go with the motor. if you have a buddy close with the same truck, just try switching his into yours as a tester. just my opinion.
 
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