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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/service 4 wd light

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Expert: - 10/18/2009


Question
the 4wd does not work in my 2000 chevy blazer. the service 4wd light was not coming on when i started the car. i checked the fuses and the 20 amp fuse under the hood was shot. i replaced the fuse and now the light stays on. the 4wd still does not work. my question is what is the possible problem and what is an approximate repair price?

Answer
Matthew,

Many times, this is caused by a bad ground, or broken wire.  Since the 20 amp fuse was blown, I would suspect that a wire has broken and shorted out, or a solenoid has shorted.
Without looking at it in person, it would be almost impossible to estimate a price.  Many shops charge anywhere from $65 to $125 per hour depending on your location.
I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual ($20 or so) from your local auto parts store.  These manuals have full trouble shooting sections and wiring diagrams.  They are invaluable if you plan on doing any trouble shooting, or work on your own vehicle.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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