Chevy/GMC 6.2L and 6.5L Discussion of Chevy and GMC Trucks with 6.2L and 6.5L Diesel Engines

change 4x4 axle control to toggle switch ??

Old Mar 1, 2019 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
petew's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 18
Default change 4x4 axle control to toggle switch ??

I am having trouble with the front diff engaging.
It blows the fuse , the thermal actuator works , but after a couple minutes the circuit blows the fuse.
Unpluging the actuator and the switch that shows the axle is engaged does not prevent fuse blowing.
Logic says I have a short in the harness, it's -25 out, and no shop. the the harness is good for as far as I can access it , but it has to have a short up top somewhere.
A simple fix would be to run a fresh wire to the front axle thermal plunger on a LED indicating toggle .and unplug the existing harness , so far I am ok with this,
Now, to monitor if the axle is actually engaged before taking off in 4x4 .This was always done with the factory light on the floor shift , but this is also controlled by the same circuit that blows.
It seems that the axle engaged switch is no more than a switch that sends power thru it to an indicator light on the floor.

Can I tap into the thermal plunger's power wire I am running to the switch that shows the axle is engaged , and add a LED indicator on the ground side switch wire ,beside where I will install the toggle ? Should be fine I think but ...will full power to the LED burn it out ? I don't think so , but unsure. I want to go ice fishing.

I will be using a 30 amp lighted toggle and a 30/40 amp relay .
 

Last edited by petew; Mar 1, 2019 at 02:29 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2019 | 03:23 PM
  #2  
burnhedge's Avatar
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 235
Likes: 34
From: Bronson, KS
Default

In my experience the problem is usually the actuator itself. I've changed my trucks to posi lock cables for reliability.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2019 | 05:08 AM
  #3  
petew's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 18
Default

Originally Posted by burnhedge
In my experience the problem is usually the actuator itself. I've changed my trucks to posi lock cables for reliability.
It has a new actuator, the old one was slow to extend when I took it out, so I put in a new one.
Tomorrow I will wire in a toggle and relay and see what shakes.
 
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2019 | 09:14 PM
  #4  
petew's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 115
Likes: 18
Default

Good news everything is working fine with the new controls for the front Axle. The axle engages with a flip of the switch , and as a side benefit I can have 2L if I ever want it. I never use 4L , but the option is there .
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2023 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
Chevydude1977's Avatar
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by petew
Good news everything is working fine with the new controls for the front Axle. The axle engages with a flip of the switch , and as a side benefit I can have 2L if I ever want it. I never use 4L , but the option is there .
would you mind telling me how you did this? I'm having a similar issue with differential actuator
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2023 | 07:04 PM
  #6  
Mayhem's Avatar
Diesel Wrench
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 128
From: Middle of nowhere Tn
Default


here is my 2 low
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gmaultz50
12 Valve 2nd Gen Dodge Cummins 94-98
5
Sep 27, 2016 06:37 PM
cougar
1st Generation Dodge Cummins 89-93
5
Oct 19, 2014 12:10 AM
BarryB
5.9L 24V Performance
10
Jun 16, 2012 11:51 AM
wyodiesel92
5.9L 24V Performance
0
Aug 23, 2011 11:11 AM
Falk65
Chevy/GMC 6.2L and 6.5L
3
Mar 27, 2010 03:44 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:08 AM.