State Street Auto Service

Auto repair shop in Whitmore Lake, MI

4-Wheel Drive Repair Shop near Ann Arbor, MI

4WD Repair near Ann Arbor, MI

Specialized four-wheel drive (4WD) service & repair near Ann Arbor, MI. Certified 4x4 vehicle mechanics. 4WD truck technicians with experience and training to correctly diagnose, service and repair all wheel drive car, truck, or SUV vehicles.

Avoid expensive 4-wheel drive repairs. Skilled 4x4 mechanics can identify and catch 4WD problems before they grow into serious, and expensive problems.

Four wheel drive vehicles are complex and can be expensive to repair. Routine 4x4 service by an experienced 4WD will save you from high 4-wheel drive repair cost.

Service 4WD light repair in Ann Arbor MI

'Service 4WD' can mean regular service is required or can mean your 4x4 system has a problem. State Street Auto has skilled 4WD technicians that can quickly test and repair four wheel drive system.

4WD Services

Common four wheel drive services:

  • 4WD Control System Repair
  • 4WD Inspections
  • 4WD Hub Service
  • 4WD Check Light Repair
  • Service 4WD indicator light on
  • Transfer Case Repair
  • Transfer Case Oil Service
  • 4wd shift control repair

4WD Problems

Four wheel drive problems typically appear in two forms: not working, or won't disengage.

Unfortunately the 'not working' problem usually happens at an inconvenient time when you need the extra traction 4x4 provides.

The 'won't disengage' problem usual gets noticed when fuel mileage decreases significantly or excessive tire wear is noticed. Both could be prevented with periodic 4x4 vehicle inspection and regular 4WD maintenance.

Common 4WD problem symptoms:

  • decreased traction in snow or mud.
  • rattling noise when 4WD engaged.
  • "Service 4WD" indicator light is on.
  • can't disengage 4WD (4WD light on).
  • excessive front tire wear (4WD won't disengage)
  • excessive fuel consumption (4WD won't disengage)
  • lack of power (4WD won't disengage)

Simple DIY 4-Wheel Drive Check

The first thing that everyone should check before leaving on a trip that may involve snow or mud is to check that your 4WD is working.

Just because you feel or hear the 4WD transfer case engage and the light says 4WD this does not mean that the front drive hubs are engaged. Without checking you will not know your 4WD is working until you need it and have no power to the front wheels.

Here is how to check your 4WD:

  1. With vehicle on any concrete or asphalt surface. It is safer and easier to do this in a parking lot.
  2. With vehicle stopped and in neutral or park, actuate the 4WD. You should feel or hear a "clunk" as the 4WD transfer case engages.
  3. Move the vehicle straight forward about 10 feet to allow the front hubs to engage and lock.
  4. Turn your wheels all the way to one side and drive forward. You should feel the vehicle bind or resist rolling forward smoothly. If you can not feel the vehicle resisting during the turn then your 4WD is probably not working.

If you are unsure you can visit our shop and we will be happy to show you how to check the operation of your 4WD.

Contact Us for more information on 4-Wheel Drive Service & Repair

Common 4WD Problems

Problem: 4WD vehicle shudder, vibrate, and difficult to turn.
Cause: 4WD can not be operated on dry paved roads when in locked mode. The front and rear wheels turn at different speeds when turning and the axles "fight" each other causing drive-line shuddering, vibration, and resistance to turning.
Repair: Make sure the 4WD has not been switched on in error. Check that the 4WD is not stuck in 4WD mode even if the 4WD light is not on. Sometimes the 4WD warning light is not working and the driver does not realize the vehicle is in 4WD.

Problem: 2003-2007 Chevy/GMC 4WD Trucks, no drive, stuck in neutral or random shift into 4WD. If no drive like in neutral with loud grinding noise when vehicle shifted back into park. 4WD switch light will indicate neutral.
Cause: Intermittent no drive condition with random 4WD engagement usually indicates a growing problem with the transfer case shift motor encoder ring. This is often a very difficult problem to diagnose.
Repair: Diagnose and transfer case shift motor replacement. If the transfer case shift motor has failed completely the vehicle may need to be towed to repair shop for diagnosis and repair. To get vehicle to move you can try cycling the ignition key on and off a few times may get transfer case to engage. The 4WD switch light will indicate 2WD or Auto when drive engaged. Take vehicle to 4WD repair shop as soon as possible since this problem will happen again without warning.

Problem:  4WD warning light flashing on, then goes out at startup.
Cause: If the light stays on, or the "Service 4WD System" message is displayed, there is a problem with the 4WD system. The "Service 4WD System" message does not mean routine maintenance of the 4WD system is required. The "Service 4WD System" message indicates a problem with the 4WD system that should be properly diagnosed and repaired.
When the ignition key is turned from OFF-RUN-START and is released back to the RUN position after the vehicle starts, the 4WD warning light should go on for 1 to 2 seconds and then go out.
Repair: Diagnose and repair problem as found. Fault codes should be stored in the transfer case control module TCCM and must be read with a scan tool. Properly diagnosing and repairing 4WD fault codes should restore the system to proper operation. There are many possible problem sources and require careful diagnosis.

Problem: T series Chevrolet Colorado / Trailblazer and GMC Canyon / Envoy, along with K series Chevrolet Silverado / Tahoe and Sierra / Yukon: 4WD system is not working and the code C0327 is stored in the TCCM Transfer Case Control Module.
Cause: faulty position sensor in the encoder motor.
Repair:  Chevrolet Colorado / Trailblazer and GMC Canyon / Envoy, along with K series Chevrolet Silverado / Tahoe and Sierra / Yukon 4WD encoder motor replacement. Model years affected 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 with 4WD Automatic Transmission.

Problem: GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Transfer Case Position Selector Switch May Fail
Cause: The 4WD transfer case selector switch may fail causing the service 4WD message to be displayed. Fault code(s) stored in the transfer case control module TCCM can assist finding the fault causing the message to be displayed.
Repair: GMC Transfer Case Position Selector Switch replacement.

Problem:  Dodge Ram 1500 Transfer Case Shift Motor Failure
Dodge Ram 1500 transfer case can shift to 4Low without warning, at any speed. Can result in catastrophic failure of the transfer case.
Cause: Can be caused by faulty four wheel drive shift motor, selector switch or the wiring damage or corrosion.
Repair: Check for wiring damage and connector corrosion at switch, motor, and between. Check 4WD shift motor operation. Dodge Ram Transfer Case Shift Motor  replacement,  Dodge Ram Transfer Case control switch replacement.

Problem: Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Axle Disconnect Actuator Problems
Vehicle will not shift into, or out of four wheel drive. "Service 4WD" warning light is on. Dodge Ram model years affected: 1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Cause: Front axle disconnect actuator failure. Power module (TIPM) may need a software update.
Repair: Dodge Ram 1500 4WD front axle disconnect actuator replacement. Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Power module (TIPM) software update.

Problem: Ford Escape 4WD Transfer Case Problem
Ford Escape four wheel drive models may develop abnormal transfer case noise. May sound like a bearing howl at low speeds turning into a clicking noise at higher speeds.
Ford Escape 4WD model years affected 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.
Cause: Abnormal transfer case parts wear. The Ford Escape transfer case is notoriously troublesome. Damage can occur from normal use. NOTE: It is not uncommon for irregular tire wear to cause a similar noise. Tire noise can be reduced by rotating the tires at least every 5000 miles.
Repair:  Careful diagnoses should be performed to confirm the actual cause of the drive-line noise. Parts may not be available to repair internal damage to this type of transfer case. Replacement of whole transfer case unit may be the only option. Changing the transfer case fluid on schedule may help extend transfer case life.

Problem: Jeep Service 4WD System Warning Light On
Service 4WD system light on with no fault codes stored in the final drive control module (FDCM).
Jeep Commander model years affected: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Repair: FDCM software update.