I have a 1996 Suburban 6.5 150k. When I got it the 4X4 button never worked and the light bottons do not light up.

I switched in a dash button switch that I knew worked off another Suburban. Both switches worked in the the 1997 Suburban but not in my 1996.

I found an actuator at the junk yard and screwed it in the 1996 front diff. No change. I guess the actuator could be bad from the junk yard. I will try and put in the acuator from the 1997, which I know works into the 1996.

Since I am not getting power to the dash 4X4 buttons is there something else I should check or would a bad actuator create this problem? Meaning even if the actuator is bad the dash 4X4 buttons should still be lit up. I have read about another swich someplace on the front diff. I can not seem to find one? Any pics? Location? Also someone mentioned about some other switch under the dash. I can not find where the 4x4 button connects too. Is there place I can check? Any pics?

IIRC theres a switch on the T-Case that closes the actuator circuit. could be wrong though.

If the lights in the switch don't light up, you probably have a switch, wiring, or fuse problem. One of the lights should always be on.

The 1996 actuators were thermally activated. A TSB came out and replaced them with electrically operated actuators, which were much more reliable. This TSB included a new wiring harness, as the plug for the actuator is different. Having the correct actuator for the system is imperative to correct functioning.

Jake

I did notice that my 96 actuator is different than the 97. The 96 has a place to plug into the actuator the 97 has a wire coming out of the actuator that plugs into a connector. I did notice a black cylinder round thing that is further back near the drive shaft is the the Tcase? Can this thing go bad and create no power? I am not sure where to start?

Could this be caused by the encoder motor? I beleive that this the back thing back near the drive shaft.

Also what fuses should I double check to see if that is an issue? I would assume that the fuse that goes with the 4X4 buttons would also runs someing else. If not maybe it is a single fuse. Where to look? Inside the cab or engine bay or both?

#2 Fuse T-case was the issue. Fuse was good but somehow it was loose in the socket. I had to stick in a small screw driver in there and make the prongs grip the fuse better. Got power to the switch and everying works. What a pain.