I posted this yesterday in the drivetrain forum, but the roads are slippery, and I know that we've got some smart ones in here.

Hi, I have a 1994 K1500 and the 4WD was working great, and then I parked my car in 4HI and when I came back to start it, the fuse was blown and it wouldn't engage.

I replaced the fuse, and it just blows the next time I try 4WD.

I don't know what the problem may be or how to track it down. I checked the easily accessible portions of the wires described in the big manual for damage, and I can't check current because the fuse blows too fast.

I'm pretty sure that I'm getting the transfer case to down shift, but only making the rear wheels spin.

I don't know much about cars, I'm just trying to read and learn and save some money, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
John:eek:

Check the wires to the front-axle actuator - could be a vacuum solenoid or an electric actuator, but either will need power and ground.

Check the wiring down under there for frayed, bare, loose, corrosion, etc.

the stock front-axle actuators for that year are junk. and when they go bad they can blow fueses. the updated ones have add on wiring that if placed where they can rub through that could happen.
unglug front-axle actuators put a new fuse in than put in 4wd i bet it wont blow

thanks for the help so far.

what exactly is the front axle actuator? The manual shows it as a connector on the firewall that doesn't seem to exist in my truck. I would have thought that the actuator was the cylindrical thing jutting out of my front differential, but the manual calls that a front axle solenoid switch.

The wiring looks ok at the F.A. solenoid switch, but how can I test it when as soon as I put a fuse in it blows? Which part should I disconnect before putting in a new fuse?

Thanks!

It's what engages the front axles in the front diff. Should be a black actuator mounted on the side of the front diff. Should be able to follow the wires to find the plug.

I unplugged the two connectors at the front differential (black one on passenger side, larger white one on driver side) and turned the truck on and put it into 4HI and fuse didn't blow. Does this for sure mean that the front axel actuator solenoid (the cylinder jutting from the differential) has a short in it, and it needs to be replaced?

If this is so, is it something I could do myself? Are there any on-line resources that could help?

Thanks again!

Don't go back with the 94 OE thermal actuator, go to the dealer and spend the extra money to get the upgrade kit. Fairly simple to install, one wire to hook up and unscrew the old actuator and screw the new one in(some axles require the spacer in the kit). It comes with good directions with the kit.

Just put in a posi-lok and never have to wait for 4wd or worry about it ever again.

yeah, i did the same thing this summer. Parked in 4HI, started the truck and the fuse popped. Had to replace the actuator in the diff.