First off I'm still pretty new, so if this isn't the right place to ask this I'm sorry. I also understand that a 98 Bravada isn't exactly a classic, but I was hoping maybe someone might share some insight.

Alright so I have a 1998 Bravada and I was driving on the beach in North Carolina when my AWD quit working and I got really really stuck... it took half an hour to dig it out enough to be towed out, and then when I was being towed out the guy pulling me got stuck and had to have someone pull him out.

So anyway it drives fine, but the AWD doesn't work. I took it to the shop my dad works at for something else and asked them to take a look at the AWD while they had it in the air. The mechanic told me that the AWD didn't respond when he plugged it in to pull the codes. He said he would find out what was wrong with it if I wanted him to, but at $50 and hour I can't really afford it. Once I know what's wrong with it I'll fix it myself if I can or take it back, I know it will be done right with these guys and if it's not, they'll fix it for free.

I checked online to see if other people had the same problem and the general answer I saw was that it was an actuator that needed replaced, but the people giving the advice were S10 or blazer drivers and apparently they're different from the Bravada because I've had two mechanics try to show me where that actuator goes and both were surprised that it wasn't there.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone actually know how to fix this? I'd like to have my AWD back before winter. When I first got the Bravada I drove it through a foot of snow with bald tires, but without the AWD it gets stuck too easy.

 

I am surprised. I thought the Bravada and the Blazer were the same car. According to this article they share the same body.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Bravada

If I were you I would do more research on this actuator that goes bad and think about replacing it. Most of the newer cars had problems that were consistent from car to car. If other people have replaced this actuator and fixed a similar problem then chances are you will have the same experience.

 

Could it be the transfer case shift control module?
If you were Baja'ing around on the beach maybe it just got jostled around too much and came unplugged?
The module is unique to the Bravada and is behind the left kick panel according to these guys.

Check it out.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t934...ot_engage.html

 

They share the same body, but NOT the same AWD system. One of the justifications for the higher cost of the Bravada vs. the lesser T-trucks was the "Smartrack" full time AWD system.

 

I had one until last summer. The 4wd activation is computer controlled. It needs to sense a wheel speed difference from front to back to engage the 4wd.

I do not believe blazers had this feature.

Is you Service 4wd light on?

When my 4wd failed, the actuator motor was seized. The motor is on the driver side of the truck. Mounted to the transfer case near the drive shaft that goes to the front differential.

You need to remove the front drive shaft and pull the actuator motor. Its an easy job.

Make sure it isnt seized. You can also bench test it.

I am guessing that is likely your problem because its a common failure mode.

Good Luck

 

Thanks guys. So I pulled the control module and sure enough there was a little corrosion on one of the plugs. Is there an easy way to clean it off?

 

Try some contact cleaner and a tooth brush. Put some dielectric grease in there.