1995 Chevy K1500 - 4x4 Thermal to Motorized Actuator Upgrade - Tips n Tricks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Easy upgrade from the crap thermal actuator to an all electric one!
Doorman 600-600 and 600-101 are needed for this.
This wiring diagram was a big help:
www.supermotors...
This video is a total gem. We have a 93 in our fleet that just got me stuck in 2ft of snow because the thermal actuator just took a dump, and I have a 92 project truck that is getting a new motor soon. Both will be getting the electronic actuator conversion.
Thanks Jason, this was very helpful - even in 2019, five years later. lol
I'm one of those that don't know anything about how cars work, but I love learning. This was very informative and quite clear. You did a great job explaining.
isnt nice to know this old video is still being watched, and people like me can still learn from it. KICK AZZ
The actuator on my 96 failed in the middle of plowing (likely due to the cold) and had given me somewhat inconsistent engagement last year. As the truck is only driven short distances, I opted to “stake” the darn thing. I pulled the rubber back on the plunger, extended her out all the way, and drilled a hole and installed a roll pin through that hole. Then just screwed the little fella back in. Now it can’t leave me stranded. The transfer case still disengages the front shaft in 2 wheel drive. It works but I wouldn’t recommended my repair for a daily driver. Thank you for an informative video :)
I need to change mine. I really appreciate the time you spent covering all of the details. Thanks for an excellent job!!!!
I used to know nothing about cars and trucks. After watching this video, I now know almost nothing about cars and trucks. Baby steps. :)
This video saved me thousands. I fixed my truck in 45 min.
I've spent soooooooooo many hours trying to research why mine quit working i put a new oem actuator in because that's all I seen i replaced the fuse and it worked for about 20 minutes and when I went outta 4x4 it quit working again this video is very very informative and really good
Great video but I had an issue with my conversion. I wired like you and as the instructions stated but the new actuator would not engage. Both 12v connections were good just no action in the motor. I splice and ran ground to engine block and presto, actuator actually actuated but would blow 4wd fuse. Then I noticed that figure 1 in instructions had a note to cut and tape Lt Blu wire on illumination switch. I left the ground wire in place and replaced fuse and presto 4wd is alive again. I have a 95 GMC K1500 with a 5.7L from a 98 2500HD. The owner before me had the engine swapped and maybe they didn't ground back as the factory, I'm not sure. Hope this helps someone else. Also, alternatively you can run the brown wire to the fuse panel and install a add-a-circuit with an extra fuse on #24 (4WD) which maybe easier to install for some. Thanks again man.
Dude thank you very much !
We just fixed my 2 door 93 blazer just by watching this video I do appreciate it
I absolutely hate those quick splices, their not water tight and can corrode over time. I would use a 3 way T tap butt connector, and shrink tubed it. I really appreciate your video and all the information, not hating on your method at all just giving you a better option and maybe save ya some headache down the road.
My 95 k3500 cclbdrw was popping fuses just like this.. and not popping them with the actuator unplugged. good video with lots of good info beyond the part that helped me this time. thank you.
Thanks for showing the transfer case switch diagnosis. Other videos I've seen didn't mention this switch. Gives me more information to do my diagnosis. I'm new to 4x4. I know just a little bit, but I don't know enough. My 4x4 shifter does not have any working lights. Thanks so much for the video!
my 1994 chevy suburban ive had for over five years and at 328k miles ive just now had to change the actuator. not bad in my book. love my old chevys
hi i have a problem a couples days ago i"m stuck because the front weels not working and i check the front drive shaft is move and is conect as well on transfer case but the(4X4 light indicator) is off you think maybe we talk about the same part ACTUATOR? i love my suburban 95 recently i transformed to full manual transmission, thanks fellas nice vedeo mate
My 1992 1500 always spun out the front drive shaft splines it took me all day to figure it out front end and transfer case we’re working but nothing happened
I guess the old thermal actuators arenammed right it burnt my pickup up last month by grounding out and the fuse never popped shorting out electric and the fire began
Thank you for the video. I've been trying to fix my 1990 gmc 4wd for about 3 years. I never even knew about the switch on the transfer case, I was about to try and pull the front diff. So again thank you
Excellent vid. Only thing I would have done different. Where you used a scotchlock to splice into the wire up by the transfer case switch. I would have cut the wire, slid glued shrink wrap tubing, twisted and soldered. That scotchlock is a failure waiting to happen down the road.
This is exactly what happened to mine. The splice to the transfer case must be water-proofed for those in the northern part of the country... (salt+water=rusty wires and splice) Going to the store for a soldering iron now.
This was a GREAT HELP!!! I did the upgrade on my 94GMC Sierra, Thank you!!!!
Thanks for the extra work to film this.........frickin freezing out no garage available.this really helps me out..........thanks again............mike in WI.
Great video but for the people watching this the splice connector he used at the transfer case switch I would not recommend, they are not sealed from the elements they can corrode and lose continuity. In areas where they salt the roads this connection will be bad in no time.
I bought the same kit for my 90 k1500 and this was better described then the directions given in the box
Do u have link to the kit
got to love Chevy trucks man, there rock solid for sure from the mid 90's. i have a 2000 s10 blazer and i had to replace the main switch to the 4x4 and fixed mine. love your vids.
Thanks for watching!
superzombiefan89 rock solid until plastic connections get baked and cracked
Nobody explained it with as much detail as you did
Is there a way to upgrade it without splicing into the harness itself isn't there a place under the dash you can connect to?
Mine went out just before Christmas. Just haven't had the money to fix/replace it yet. You found a good deal on e-bay which is where I'll be going because brand new costs more than I can spend.
Never buy aftermarket parts they suck I buy a Crankshaft position sensor for $30 and well it went out in one week I buy another new one for $80 and life time warranty at a Auto parts store buy OEM always NEVER AFTERMARKET
2022 now and still need this info! Great job
Mines a 95 k1500 but thermal actuator would it have the same switch? Its doing the same thing
Its great you got it working. I got this 96 k1500 a couple months ago. And came up on your video. Im in the process of getting it ready for winter. And It made me curious to see if the previous owner changed to to the electric actuator and they have. So im happy
Man I bet you saved yourself 500$ on the fix you did i have a 95 i plow with and my 4x4 is starting to act goofy. I like how you explained the stuff you bought and showed how to install it. This is the first video I watched of yours it was a good one. To bad I wouldn't have seen this video in like October of 2019. Its January 17th of 2020 now I gotta fix this thing in 20 degrees in my garage 😂🤣but I'm not walking into this fix blind thank you very much. It's way easier just not to video things.
great video lol noticed park brake inched down to turn off DRLs. mine too they really should have put a override switch in these trucks
Jeremy Merrix just pull the fuse
Old video but glad I found it because I had exactly the same problem.
Thank you.
Isn't it amazing what a little bit of common sense will get you. I would like to know what that tester is also. Nice features
Video helped me alot found out my transmission guy left the connector disconnected
Thanks for the vid. I'm having problems with my k1500 as well with the 4x4. Keeps blowing fuses.
I may have to upgrade the actuator too
got a question for what would be the problem with mine won't switch in to 4WD I changed the Actuator and still can find the problem
How big was the puck spacer? Switched axles and I already had the electric motor but got a thermal front diff
So if the fuse doesn't blow could it still be bad? It attempts 4w low but not high. Could the 600-506 switch be bad or can these actuators become weak and never short out?
I went to rock auto site I cannot find anything related to the part numbers you supply. Do you have a direct link to this product without the pain of trying to input search terms that continually produce nothing. thanks
Your video was very helpful, thank you.
Very informative video , you explained the work and troubleshooting of the repairs to be done quite well , thanks , I appreciate your video
I'm going to try your suggestions. Thanks for the video!!!
Is it the actual actuator that senses the cold or is there a thermal sensor somewhere regulating this component?
What kind of tester is that it's bad ass.
alright jason, i have watched this video 100 times no shit, i am about to undertake this task, on my 1994 chevy
and know nothing about this other than said for mentioned, what wire did you connect the third wire to?
if you happen to remember your,...can you help me?
So I've installed this kit everything works now but I need re route the wires. How did you route yours.
Hi I have a 97 Chevy Tahoe that the front right passenger wheel When in 4x4 mode it turns 1/2 and then it drags can you give me any ideas or help
chevy trucks arent made like they used to be the mid 1980s to 1970s were the best
Couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my truck now I know what’s wrong
Was the Thermal Actuator used for most of the GMT400s? My 98 Z71 doesnt have the floor shifter. It has the dash mounted push button without Neutral. While I have never had an issue with mine, I wonder if it would be best to change out the thermal (if I have it) for the stepper motor.
Great video by the way, man!
isnt it piss poor design on chevy trucks where all harnesses are plastic! i live in AZ and the heat just bakes the plastic until there so brittle they break
Wow you'll never guess it but my swith prong was bent too!
i cant tell you how much that helped me.
My truck doesnt have a spot for the T case fuse in there......
OK I have a truck with the wiring harness missing to the transfer case but have the wires there. I'm needing to know Wich color of wires go where on my new pig tail connector my new connector is different. I see you said blue wire is far right Wich is middle wire. the wires on mine is blue,brown and white
Its crazy how old this truck is now. I feel very old.
Ya man..good stuff u said..
Thanks for the great video! Question- what is the other electrical connector on the front differential for? The one closest to the drivers side, next to where you plug the 4wd actuator in. I have a 95 too, but am going to swap in the front diff (and rear end) from a '99 to change my gear ratio. I've noticed the 99 doesn't have this other electrical connector, just the plug for the actuator. Thanks again for sharing.
I have the same problem, have you figured out what the other connector is for, and if it would it still work when you swap the differential with only the actuator? thank you
What if you dont have the old wiring harness on there? I've looked everywhere.... gonna try and jimmyrig it today and see if I can get it to work but not sure what to tie into, could I go right off something just to turn it on?
I dokt even have the fromt axle switch connector just the one directly connected to the axle
Could you explain where the old harness connects to? Might be able to splice into something there
So have a new acuatur new 4x4 switch on transfer case and the fuse is
Good but my 4x4 won’t work what is my problem
I stumbled across your console modding channel and was very interested by it, but in one of your videos you mentioned this channel and I had to check it out, and now I'm subbed to both channels. I have a question though: did you go to school for this kind of stuff, or are you self-taught, or what? I'm kind of a novice handyman techie what have you (build a computer, change my own oil, install a ceiling fan) but you seem to be on some kind of pro level, and I want to get there!
At any rate, great videos, man. I'm enjoying your channel quite a bit!
+ChicagoPaul2010 Thanks for the double sub! I don't have degrees in anything, just good aptitude and work experience.
+GameTechUS No prob! Thanks for putting out interesting material! And that's pretty inspiring. I guess I need to get off my ass and start trying to do more DIY stuff so I can keep learning, hah.
Good clip. Was wondering if u have the duel battery set up. If so how did u go about putting it in .
No it doesn't.
What is the power probe you're using?
Very informative video. My 95 has an issue with the 4wd. It's already been converted over though. Looks like all wires are okay and connected. What can I check? The actuator itself or the transfer switch? The fuse is good as well.
lftdblazer the switches go bad very often. I knew it was bad when I gave it a slap and all the lights started flickering on the switch. I bought an amazon one and have been great since
@@ovaddiesanchez-martinez885 Yeah, since you'0ve replied I've changed out the transfer switch and the actuator and it's still not working. Guess my harness must be bad. Oh boy...
lftdblazer also check your fuses. Or check for power at the actuator when pushing the button.
@@ovaddiesanchez-martinez885 the fuse is good and this is a floor shift. No fancy buttons.
Where exactly do you splice the blue wire to again? Hard to tell by your video and description. Great video though on other aspects.
That is one clean truck. I'm impressed sir. 👌
Where would you suggest that I order this kit? Upgrading 93 k3500 6.5TD Manual Trans Dually. Been researching for a while. Thank you for your tutorial ! 🙏🚂🎼🛠⚕🎶🎵🕊
Great repair and upgrade
Jason does diy well. Great video, I learned more than a few things about my trucks four-wheel drive system and also about troubleshooting electrical problems. Thanks Jason. Two questions? Who makes that cool power probe? What is your opinion on shifting into 4wheel-drive while moving like the truck manual says to versus doing it while stopped and then reversing a few feet to engage it like many folks say?
PowerProbe is the name of the company and device.
I've not torn down a bunch of transfer cases of ppl that shifted in to 4wd one way or the other, so no opinion there...
JasonDoesDIY Right on, thanks for the quick reply. I've just started my troubleshooting and discovered the blown 25 amp fuse for the 4x4 system on my 94 Silverado. Thanks again for the great video, response, and the new knowledge. I will put it to good use. My brother and I already replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump and sending unit, some brakes and the battery. When I'm all done I'd like to replace the fuel and brake lines as well. I'm from Minnesota and the salt is literally eating this truck alive.
??? Ever have the 4x4 light "stick on" ?? even when back in 2wd ???
Appreciate the video, it helped me changing mine!
what is the white square plug next to the end of the actuator plug in the video
i have a 2000 tahoe, I just bought a few weeks ago, the guy said 4x4 worked perfect never had any issues, but come the next day I parked in about 10 inches of snow and couldntnt move, put it in 4x4 and i hear it go into 4wd but it wasnt in 4wd it wouldnt lock into or engage. so do u think the front aculater is out. everyone i asked on youtube wont answer me, i hope u can answer.
Better late then never! LMC has a manual" cable option for the front diff, issue.#36-1585 6 lug /#36-1586 8 lug. just sayin!
They also have a thermal actuator delete kit. It's just a large pin that screws into there instead of the thermal actuator. So you don't any any junk electronics to deal with.
So, where do you connect the brown wire to? The one from the harness?
Thank you for a very helpful video. made the job a snap.
what wire do you splice on transfer case the brown wire or blue
on my 95 I got a plug for the axle actuator it came with a plug plus a space piece do I need to use both pieces on it or just the plug
you have part number for transfer case switch by any chance?
Thanks, I was not upgrading because my 95 had a motorized actuator; but it was not working. This will help me fix the 4wd. They make a cable actuator called Posi-Lok that replaces the thermal linear actuator for about $125-150
what kind of probe is that
Hi Jason, ok I replaced the front actuator and ran the brown wire to a keyed spot on fuse box bottom line it works BUT the tranfer case isnt working I checked for juice at the actautor for trans case and 0 volts, does that switch on top of the case where you spliced in send the juice to the acuator on tranfer case motor just wondering where to check for juice..
did you have a hard time getting the original thermal actuator off? I'm struggling with mine trying to use channel lock pliers. I don't have a wrench big enough to fit the hex on the thermal actuator! Sprayed it with PB Blaster to hopefully loosen it up, but no success yet. Any suggestions of a tool to try? I noticed you used a 1/16 wrench for the TC switch. What size was the Wrench for the Actuator? Thanks!
I just used channel locks and it spun out no problem...
GameTechUS got it off with a crescent wrench. looks like someone put a silicone sealant on it before. Still no 4wd engagement, but I have the TC switch on order. going to try that next.
I watched several other videos
How many wires do you have going to actuator
Solder and heat shrink buddy. Scotchlocks are poison.
what kind of electrical tool is that?
Good vid Jason thanx
Holy hell! Nintendo AND Chevy! you da man!
Great video buddy
Got the same rims
Good job.
u need to watch your language sir.
Does the 'puck' come with the actuator? If not where do you get it or what's the size so a guy can make one?
What kind of power probe were you using?
+Michael D Power probe is the name brand of the device.
Mine is a 3 from a master kit.
+GameTechUS Thanks for the info. I'll be upgrading my '88 this weekend and you video has helped.
jason...i notice your truck has a floor shift for the transfer case...mine is push button shift for the transfer case...is there a way to adapt the newer style electric actuator to my truck?