Well Im on my way home from work today, and want to “play” pulling away from a light and I go to put it in Tow/Hall mode and I get nothing…
Try a few times during the ride home and still nothing. Haven’t felt anything out of the ordinary, the truck has 87000 miles on it I bout it with around 80000 and there is no goose neck hitch and I haven’t towed anything more than about 7,000 lbs with the truck and have put 2 spin on filters on it and done a pan drain and fill since I have had it (most recently the drain and fill) and no problems until this.
Anyone know something that I don’t about this or should I take it in to the dealer and hope that the repair isn’t too much yet because I caught it soon enough????
The service writer said it would probably be about $100 to look at it and get a good idea about what’s going on…
Help please! (the extended warrantee may cover it too)

Probably the wiring that runs through the shift lever for the T/H button. Mine did the same thing, but I just cobbled up new wiring. For me, easier than the dealer.

the service writers always use $100 to look at it, because that is the deductible on the 100K drivetrain warranty. even if it was cheaper, it is still $100..........................

yeah, my cruise control stopped working. Completly randomly, bet its some stupid little wire. Still have 1000 miles of my bumper to bumper left.

Need to put a Tech2 on the truck and try commanding lock up. This will tell a tech where to look next.
mike

Anyone in the St. Louis, MO area have a Tech2 that would want a case of beer to help me out???

one more, 8000 lbs with no tow/hall should be ok for this truck right? we are suppose to go camping this weekend and i dont think i will be able to get it fixed before then.
we are only going a hour and a half too.
thanks again

Pulling 8k without Tow/Haul shouldn't be a problem

Well, I've been there just before a short trip. My problem ended up being a broken wire in the shift lever. I spent $75 for the new lever before I took the old one off. It was really pretty easy to replace it, but the problem was simply a broken wire that could easily have been soldered. Needless to say, I now have a spare! Found out from the few that responded to me that the broken wire is pretty common. The tow/haul mode enables engine braking which is a big help in stopping, but you should be just fine without it. Let me know if I can be of more help.

well that gives me some high hopes. So black max, what all is involved in getting to the wire to check it out. My first guess would be unhook the wire at the bottom end of the shift lever and then the switch in the end comes out some how?????
Or does the wire break on the bottom end of the shift leaver and just needs to be soldered there? And how does the shift lever come out? I have taken 90’s model Chevy dashes and columns but am reluctant to tear in to my new truck because the dash doesn’t rattle yet but if its gun save me $100 that sucker is coming apart.
Thanks for your help.

If the Tow/Haul light on the dash isn't coming on when you push the button then it's probably a broken wire.

The shift lever is held in place with a screw and is pretty easy to take out. If you have a mulitmeter you can take the cowl off around the column and check the switch right at the connection. If nothing happens on the meter when you push the button then you've found the problem.

If the Tow/Haul light on the dash isn't coming on when you push the button then it's probably a broken wire.

The shift lever is held in place with a screw and is pretty easy to take out. If you have a mulitmeter you can take the cowl off around the column and check the switch right at the connection. If nothing happens on the meter when you push the button then you've found the problem.

Exactly. There are only 2 wires coming off of the lever which can be easily accessed with the cowl removed. Take the connector apart, and just check for continuity when you push the button. As the wire is only about a foot long, the break in my wire was easily seen. It's more likely the wires than the switch; it's a very small wire, and the repeated movement of the shift lever seems to be the reason it breaks. Also, by jumping the dash side of the connector, you'll be able to see if that enables the tow/haul by looking for the indicator in the dash. Good Luck.

I believe I am having the same issue... Push the tow/haul button and get no light... I am going to try to troubleshoot, only because I am heading out tomorrow with a trailer camping and do not have time to play dinky boopy with a dealer. I have two questions.. Can you give me an idea of where the wire might be breaking to help trouble shoot and two, can I just splice the wire for now to get me going tomorrow?? Thanks guys, my first post and my first Diesel.. Very helpful people and info here!!!!! Kevin

I can't tell you for sure but my guess would be between the switch on the lever and the connector under the steering cowl. If that's the cause there no reason you can't splice them or even hook the ends together with some alligator clips.

Have fun on your trip!

Ok got a question before I tear into this tonight. How does the tilt wheel leaver come off (or does it not need to) to get the cowl from around the steering wheel off?
Just want everything to go smooth as possible because I have a lot to do before we leave tomorrow. And does the turn signal/ crews/ wiper leaver (AKA: Swiss Army leaver) have to come off to get the cowl apart to take the shifter off?
Thanks for all your help guys!

If I remember right you need to remove the fascia around the instrument cluster (it just pops off). The steering wheel cowl has a split line around the shift lever and control stalk so the only thing you need to remove are the screws holding the two halves together. Once you get the cowl off the shift lever is held in place by another screw at the base. The wires for the Tow/Haul switch come out of the lever in that area.

Good luck

Awesome you guys have been a huge help Ill let you know what I find.
this site is great!

Wow, ok I’m not sure what the deal was with my tow/hall. I pulled the everything apart hoping to find a broken wire that could easily be fixed and I unplugged the shifter lever wires and checked for continuity and everything looks good so I was just going to put it back together and take it in after this weekend because I didn’t have anymore time to mess with it and after it was plugged back in and everything was together I tried it to see and everything works fine now. Guess the connection at the plug was just bad.

Anyway you guys still led me to the problem thanks a lot, it was nice to be able to use tow/hall this weekend.

The questionable wire is only about 8" long, and the break in mine was clearly visible. Had I known that before I bought the new lever, the dealer would still have it! There should be nothing wrong with just resoldering the broken wire. My thoughts are the wire is too light and the constant gear changing just causes it to break. Glad you got going again.