Changing the encoder motor, but indicator switches don't work

[Tahoemama]

Short story we needed a new encoder motor based on the fact that my Tahoe went into neutral at 65 mph's on the highway and left me with NO gears at all, not even park.

This is a 2004 Tahoe Z-71 with 4wd.

When hubby took the encoder motor off, for whatever reason the vehicle was not in neutral. So we can't get the new motor to line up to put it on. We read to use the control switches on the dash to move the transfer case into neutral. These switches worked prior to this. However, when he tried holding the sequence to make it go to neutral, all that happened was the lights went off and a service 4wd error message came on. Now the buttons don't do anything, no lights. Can't move the shaft manually either to put the transfer case in neutral. He said he tried this.

The truck is in some gear, because now it at least moves up and down the driveway with no encoder motor. So not in neutral. He thinks it's in 4wd. The indicators on the dash have no lights. They all light up when you put the key in ignition but then go out and nothing.

We tried pulling fuses to reset, and disconnecting battery for a few hours. No gold.

Any ideas how he can get this into neutral so we can put the encoder motor back on?

 

[Tahoemama]

Follow up on changing encoder motor

I can't find a way to delete my post but in any case if anyone attempts this job on their own. Make sure the truck is in neutral before you take anything apart. The encoder motors come in neutral and won't line up to fit on if you don't have the truck in neutral also.

We had to open the encoder motor and remove the motor spline assembly carefully and then move the gears back to neutral by hand. We used the plastic key that the encoder motor came with which held it in neutral position. Then we put the encoder motor back together.

Then under the vehicle we had to move the transfer case to neutral which took about an hour of fiddling around and trying to move it there. You'll know when its in neutral because the rear drive shaft will move freely with your hands. Once we got the transfer case into this position, the encoder motor went on. We buttoned it up, plugged it in, put the drive shaft back on. Then started the truck. It was in neutral and the buttons were finally working again.

We switched the buttons to 2wd and heard it go back into 2wd.

And after a test drive it's still working properly. Hope that helps anyone else that gets into this situation.

:happy160: