4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4x4...

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/1/2004


Question
My 2000 Chevy Blazer is stuck in 4 wheel drive.  When I push my 2 wheel drive button on the dashboard it blinks for approx. 5 seconds....and then goes back the the 4x4 light.   I was told there is a way to reset the 4wheel drive by driving in reverse...is this true.???  What would you do???  Thanks. Brian

Answer
Brian,

If the transfer case is in a bind, then driving in reverse can relieve some of the pressure.  First of all, make sure that you are not driving the Blazer on hard surfaces, such as pavement in 4-wheel drive.  This is extremely hard on the transfer case, and drive components.  

I would take the Blazer to a soft area, such as a beach, river bar, or a soft dirt field, and put it into low range, drive it around in forward, and reverse for a few minutes, then try to put it back into 2 wheel drive.  If this doesn't work, you may have to trace out the electrical, or vacuum components that control your 4-wheel drive functions, as you may have a faulty switch.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.