8/3/2017 Front Axle Will Not Disengage • 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 4WD • MotoLogic

2005 Colorado Pickup 4WD

Applies to:
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Isuzu T150

Circuit Description
The front axle control circuit consists of an electric motor actuator which engages and disengages the front
axle. The front axle actuator motor consists of a permanent magnetic motor, a worm gear controlled
plunger, a front axle switch and an electronic control circuit all within the actuator assembly.

The front axle actuator consists of the following circuits:

The front axle control circuit, which is also connected to the transfer case shift control module
The front axle switch circuit, which is also connected to the transfer case shift control module
A battery feed circuit
A ground circuit

When a shift to 4HI or 4LO is requested, the transfer case shift control module engages the front axle by
grounding the front axle control circuit through a current limiting driver. If the transfer case is shifted to 2WD
and the front axle is still engaged the 2WD mode indicator within the transfer case shift control switch will
continue to flash indicating a failure.

Diagnostic Aids
A mechanical condition inside the front axle could prevent the shift fork from moving causing the motor to
be stuck in one position. Refer to Symptoms - Front Drive Axle in Front Drive Axle.

Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

2. This step tests the electrical function of the front axle actuator and helps determine mechanical
and electrical malfunctions.
3. This step tests for proper voltage and ground at the front axle actuator.
4. This step tests the operation of the front axle actuator control circuit.
5. This step tests the electrical function of the front axle actuator control circuit.
6. This step tests for proper supply voltage to the front axle actuator.
7. This step tests for open fuse in the ignition 3 voltage circuit.
8. This step tests the front axle actuator control circuit for an open or high resistance.
9. This step tests the front axle actuator signal circuit for an open or high resistance.
10. This step helps determine if the front axle actuator has a mechanical malfunction.
11. This step tests the front axle switch circuit for a short to voltage.
13. This step inspects the front axle for a mechanical malfunction.
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8/3/2017 Front Axle Will Not Disengage • 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 4WD • MotoLogic

Front Axle Will Not Disengage

Step Action Values Yes No

Schematic Reference: Transfer Case Control Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Transfer Case Control Connector End Views

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check Go to

– Vehicle? Diagnostic
System
1 — Check -
Vehicle in
Vehicle DTC
Go to Step 2 Information

1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine

OFF.
2. Ensure that the vehicle is in 2WD
mode
2 —
3. Observe the 2WD mode indicator
within the transfer case shift control
switch.

Is the 2WD indicator flashing? Go to Step 10 Go to Step 3

1. Turn OFF the ignition.

2. Disconnect the front axle actuator.
3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine
OFF.
4. Measure the voltage between the
3 11–13 V
ignition 3 voltage circuit and the front
axle ground circuit at the front axle
actuator.

Is the voltage reading within the specified

values? Go to Step 4 Go to Step 6

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8/3/2017 Front Axle Will Not Disengage • 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 4WD • MotoLogic

Step Action Values Yes No

1. Connect a DMM between the ignition

3 voltage circuit and the front axle
control circuit at the front axle
actuator.
4 —
2. Observe the DMM, while using the
scan tool in order to engage the front
axle.

Does the DMM indicate battery voltage? Go to Step 5 Go to Step 8

1. Connect a fused jumper wire

between the ignition 3 circuit and the
front axle switch circuit.
5 —
2. Observe the 2WD indicator inside the
transfer case shift control switch.

Does the 2WD indicator flash? Go to Step 16 Go to Step 9

Measure the voltage between the ignition 3

voltage circuit and ground.
6 11–13 V
Is the voltage reading within the specified
values? Go to Step 14 Go to Step 7

Test for an open fuse in the front ignition 3

voltage circuit. Refer to Circuit Protection -
7 Fuses and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. —

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 15

Test the front axle control circuit for an open or

high resistance. Refer to Testing for Continuity
8 and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. —

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 17

Test the actuator switch signal circuit for an

open or high resistance. Refer to Testing for
Continuity and Wiring Repairs in Wiring
9 —
Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 17

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8/3/2017 Front Axle Will Not Disengage • 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 4WD • MotoLogic

Step Action Values Yes No

1. Disconnect the front axle actuator.

2. Observe the 2WD mode indicator
10 within the transfer case shift control —
switch.

Is the 2WD indicator flashing? Go to Step 11 Go to Step 13

Test the front axle actuator signal circuit for a

short to voltage. Refer to Testing for a Short to
11 Voltage and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. —

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 12

1. Disconnect connector C1 and C2 at

the module.
2. With the front axle actuator
disconnected test the front axle
12 —
control circuit for a short to ground.
Refer to Testing for Short to Ground
in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 17

Inspect the front axle for a mechanical

malfunction.
13 —

Did you find and correct the condition? Go to Step 18 Go to Step 17

Repair an open in the front axle actuator

ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring
14 Systems. — —

Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 18

Repair an open in the ignition 3 voltage circuit.

Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
15 — —

Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 18

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8/3/2017 Front Axle Will Not Disengage • 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup 4WD • MotoLogic

Step Action Values Yes No

Replace the front axle switch/actuator. Refer to

Electric Motor Actuator Replacement in Front
16 Drive Axle. — —

Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 18

Replace the transfer case shift control module.

Refer to Control Module References in
Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement,
17 — —
setup, and programming.

Did you complete the repair? Go to Step 18

1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the

DTCs.
18 2. Operate the vehicle to determine if —
the symptom has been corrected.

Is the symptom still present? Go to Step 2 System OK

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