I have a 2005 chevy Tahoe Z71 with 172k miles. It has the Auto 4WD option. When I put the truck into Auto 4WD I here the transfer case shift so I know it's communicating and going into gear but for some reason when I shut the truck off and turn it back on, it then shows that the truck is in 4WH. I then have to push A4WD button again or 2WD. The only time it does not do this is of it is left in 2WD. Also it always goes into 4WH, never any other gear. I pretty much only use 2wd but the fact it's not working properly is very annoying.
Thanks!
I had a 2003 Tahoe 4x4 and 2005 4x4 Silverado which uses the same drivetrain as your Tahoe. The transfer case stays with the gear that was engaged when you shut it off. It doesn't default to 2wd at every startup. Also, for 4 Lo, you have to be stopped or going very slow (3mph or slower) to shift into 4-Low. Check the manual, 4wd drive operation is Section 2, page 27 to 31.
Thanks for the feed back. I should have been more clear. The problem is that it does not stay in Auto 4wd and reverts to 4wh after I shut it off and turn it back on. The only gear it stays in after shutting off without switching to something else is 2wd. This transfer case was replaced about 10k miles ago.
Ah..ok. Those drivetrain control button modules can be finicky. I had to replace it in and the actuator in my 2003 Tahoe, not the best design in those years. Past and present (17 Silverado) I only put it auto 4wd "if" there's a chance I may need to go into 4-hi on way to/from work. Otherwise I keep it in 2wd
Didn’t those have a preference save option? When using 4WD you could save 4 high as your preference? I had something similar awhile back for someone and had to go through the owners manual to reset the “preference” back to factory default.
looked thru the manual, didn't notice any save preference. back then they weren't that sophisticated.
It's an old Tahoe with a lot of miles be grateful if things still even works at all those systems break down as they age and they're very expensive to work on but if you want to gas for my experience often the actuator motor and transfer case will go bad
Thanks Scotty! I should have specified that the transfer case was replaced about 10k miles ago. Maybe then it could be the actuator motor. Still confused on why it doest do this when left in 2wd though.