15th Dec 2003, 09:06

Regarding the GMC Yukon XL, I just discovered that my 4wd isn't working at all! From what I'm reading, it sounds like a transfer case problem. It's a 2001 with 62K miles.

15th Dec 2003, 20:23

I have a 99 and all the same problems occurred. Also a friend had same problem. His 4wd was a switch on the transfer case. Also had transfer case lock up. Dealer stated problem with fluid in case and replaced fluid with supposed high tech blue fluid. REAL NICE HUH!!!

25th Mar 2004, 16:30

For the contractor, 4WD vehicles of any make and model that have a transfer case have gears inside that transfer case turning. It's part of the power delivery to the rear wheels.

The service 4WD message on the instrument cluster is more often than not the pushbutton switch on the dash, not the transfer case.

As far as the "supposed high tech blue fluid." New GM transfer cases require a fluid called Auto Trak II. Most independent lube company's use regular Dextron automatic transmission oil (used on older gm trucks) because of the cost and avaliability of Auto Trak II. It is not a compatible oil and is the number one reason for transfer case failure.

Point is, not everything that is going wrong with these trucks is the fault of the manufacture. Unfortunately, some of it is due to the lack of knowledge on the part of the people we trust to maintain our vehicles.

13th Jul 2004, 06:31

My 2000 gets the Service 4WD regularly. The 2WD lights seems to be going out at the same time. When the transmission is hot, it shifts very hard in 1st and especially 2nd. I have gotten all the required services at the deal and was told the problem with the hard shift is common in some trucks. I heard that the eproms needed to be flashed on the 1999s and was told the problem was corrected in the 2000s. I feel like I'm just waiting for a big bill any minute. Any easy fix out there? The truck has 78K on it.

23rd Jul 2004, 22:08

I have a 2000 chevy silverado and have used the 4wd maybe twice. About 2weeks ago my service 4wd message appeared and I freaked out, my truck is my baby, and the local chevy dealership wants me to pay them 70 dollars so they can tell me I have a problem?!?!

28th Sep 2004, 07:16

My sierra has been in the shop for 2 months, waiting on a transfer case. There are 62 people across the U.S. also waiting on transfer cases. Cost $1.800.

17th Sep 2005, 23:56

The transfer case DOES require AutoTrak II fluid. The fluid also fixes a noise problem with the slip yoke.

The "Service 4wd" light is common, but easily fixed by replacement of the 4wd pushbutton panel. It's not a mechanical problem with the four wheel drive.

I have never owned a vehicle that didn't require some maintenance by 100,000 miles. In the old days, a vehicle with that mileage was ready for the junkyard.

23rd Sep 2005, 22:56

Most people purchase a four-wheel-drive vehicle and don't really need one. To the Yuppies that have a 4wd truck or SUV: -if you don't use it, you'll lose it! I've owned every type of 4x4 Chevy/GMC from 1968 to 2002, however my main daily driver is a '03 2wd Chevy S-10 with 4 cylinders. I live in Western New York State, south of Buffalo. Good narrow tires, 300lbs of welding lead in the back and common sense is all I need in the winter. If you see my little blue truck pass you on the I-90, wave!

18th Jan 2006, 21:07

I own a 1999 GM 2500, and for the past few weeks when I put the truck in gear it clunks. My first thought was U-Joints, but after replacing them it still clanks. For having only 80,000 miles I cannot complain, but it is very annoying and hopefully not bad. Does anyone have a explanation to this problem???

16th Feb 2006, 10:59

I got a 2000 gmc sierra Z71...I'm telling you, its got 110 miles on it and it still runs brand new, went mudding in it like 4 different times, hasn't ever been in the shop (knock on wood)..the only problem is the transmission slips when it gets warm...

7th Mar 2006, 16:47

I have a 2000 GM Sierra pickup 4X4 king cab I have 53,000 miles on it, looks new, I had all new brake pads and I was almost crashing at slow speeds the ABS was pushing against me and not stopping. I brought it to the GM dealer for the recall all they did was polish the contacts at the wheel sensor and cleaned area. Then the ABS light came on the dash and the truck would not stop with ABS I brought it back to the dealer they diagnosed it for $100.00 and said my pump $651.00 and module $900.97 was defective plus labor. They told me this is not covered under recall, this should not go bad in 50,000 miles. I took it to my mechanic had these parts replaced and saved defective parts as proof of failure, a safety issue with this truck. It cost me $1,764.47 to make this truck safe to run on the road, all letters to GM, with no satisfaction.

2nd Dec 2006, 15:02

I just sent my 2003 Silverado with 125,000 km into the shop because of a grinding sound in the 4x4 transfer case. The transmission shop called and advised the oil pump had vibrated, causing it to make a hole in the transfer case casing allowing the oil to all leak out. A factory re-built transfer case is $4000 installed and parts and labor to rebuild the old one are about $3000. I need the truck for work so I am going with the factory re-built. Is this a common problem? The shop manager called it a “GMC design flaw”.

12th Jan 2007, 07:34

I own a 2000 GMC Z71, and it has been an interesting ride compared to the 1993 Sonoma that I only had to replace the battery and alternator in 113K.

BAD:

1. Excessive cranking to turn engine over at 60K, $80 fuel pressure regulator fixed it. $200 in other parts before scouring the WWW to figure it out.

2. Seat track broke and found out that the design was changed the very next year, but no recall. $150 from scrap yard to buy newer design.

3. ABS doesn't seem to function right, it wants to engage too early I think. Never resolved; I just live with it.

4. Now SVC 4WD light on I changed fluid using that 7.00 qt special fluid no fix, but I am going to try and replace the switch panel now thanks to this board.

5. Rear light shorted (I never touched any electrical hitch and tow package came with truck) and melted the socket. $50 to replace.

Less than 70K on the truck right now and what is next??? I think I will be selling it after my current project.

GOOD:

1. I've worked the hell out of it! I'm an extreme DIY'er and I used it to build a detached garage, a mini storage yard, a bedroom addition, a complete house remodel, and am now using it to build my own house from scratch, and am over half way done.

2. Hit a small deer doing about 80; it went under the truck, and the only damage was a dent in the fender, and it pushed in the bumper an inch, but still usable, I never fixed it.

3. It hasn't left me stranded yet! Knock on wood.