Just went through this. Took 8 days for the dealer to finally figure out there was a loose connection. I'll find my receipt and type out what they did later so you will know exactly what to tell them to do....

 

The first visit they recalibrated the transfer case control module and sent me home. I got the message again later that day. The second visit they replaced the control module AND the transfer case actuator. They kept it a few days and drove it and the message came back. Here is what finally worked...

"Removed transfer case control module and inspectx1 connector for damage or corrosion found connector looks good applied NYOGEL lubricant to connector terminals and fastened connector installed transfer case module back and cleared code. re-learned T-case again and test drove and re-ck found no codes set. Checked multiple times through two days found code never set again put all moldings back together"

I ended up getting a new control module, transfer case actuator, and some super duper conductive grease on the terminals. It took a total of 8 days but the error hasn't come back for 2 weeks now...

 

First thank you for the reply, great info! Second I can't afford to be without my truck for a few days. Will they give me a vehicle? My truck has like 2,100 miles. This is one strike, my first GM vehicle after having only Ford's.

 

What are you asking? You just made a statement... Either way, just take it to the dealer, it is under warranty and if you call ahead (and sometimes not) they will give you a rental. It is a new vehicle, that is what it is for not to troubleshoot and guess with all the electronics in them these days.

Strike 1? Nice, you see how strikes are being handed out like tic tacs on the F150 forums? Tons of issues from the ecoboost to the massaging seats to the radar cruise control and everything in between. Point is every manufacturer has issues here and there, this isn't anything. It hasn't left you stranded or caused a drive-ability issue, you are a horrible umpire if that is a strike...

 

Yeah you are right, I already regret posting that. I will call the dealer tomorrow. I won't be going to the dealer I bought the truck from by the way.

 

Mine did the exact same thing after only owning it for two days.. Brought it to the dealer and they said they reprogramed the computer hasn't came back on since 1000+ miles

 

They did that for my first visit and the error message came back the same day I drove it home. Good chance your dealer tightened the control module connections while he was down there....

 

Update on this older thread. It was just a loose wire in the actual 4WD switch. Was at the dealer about an hour. I wonder if maybe my knee hit the switch because it is in a weird place as we all know? Either way it was an easy quick fix. I gotta say I really, really love this truck. Its actually better than I expected and I had kinda high expectation. Its in my opinion a very fun pickup to drive. I have recently noticed the infamous "hunting for gears" but that is just for fuel economy. A bit annoying but I understand why its happening so I don't get crazy about it, it is what it is as they say.

 

I believe that switch is what my dealer was calling the 4WD Control Module. Seems like this is a thing with our trucks but not diesel specific.

 

Getting the message still. I drove it across the street and it shuddered violently (they left it in 4wd). There was snow and ice on the ground too.

Havent brought it back and I still cant tell if its actually still working and just a message problem.

They are stumped. I'm going to have to try again soon. I did call back and tell them it would be a while before I bring it in.

 

I hate to resurrect and old thread like this, but I have an '18 Denali that I picked up 2 weeks ago. Has 1800 miles on it and it started to display the "Service 4WD" message.

Had it in the UP this past weekend and used the Auto and 4High in the snow.

Anyone have any more details on this issue? Not too enthused about the long-term prospects for this truck thus far.

Also, the hood does not seem to be attached correctly at the hinges.

 

Not too enthused about the long-term prospects for this truck thus far.

I'm far from a GM fanboy (Swore I'd never buy another GM vehicle after issues in the past, but here I am), but you do realize this is what warranties are for and that all vehicles, no matter who makes them, can have issues, right? Let's not get over-dramatic here and start implying these trucks are going to fall apart within a couple of years as I'm sure we both know that's not what they've been doing.

Also, the hood does not seem to be attached correctly at the hinges.

Not sure what you mean, can you add some more detail? What are you seeing?

Good luck with the 4WD, I'm sure it's something simple.

 

"Service 4WD" Message

Wanted to tell a story...


Ever since I got my used 2016 Colorado Z71 in Apr 2018 I was getting a message "Service 4WD" about every 500 mi. Took it to the dealer and asked them to look at the message while they were addressing something else (black screen of death (BSOD) on entertainment system). They did a software update on 22 Jun which fixed the BSOD problem but the 4WD message came back 6 times in 220 mi. I brought the truck back to the dealer on 25 Jun. They replaced the 4WD actuator but they were still getting the message; they then replaced the transmission control module which finally cleared the fault.


Moral of the story:


- make sure you get ANY and ALL issues fixed before the factory warranty expires! This fix was covered under the warranty but would've cost me $600+
- you need a computer degree to diagnose vehicles today
- I'm glad I have my truck back!


UPDATE: message reappeared as I was driving to work this morning. This story's not over!

 

Wanted to tell a story...


Ever since I got my used 2016 Colorado Z71 in Apr 2018 I was getting a message "Service 4WD" about every 500 mi. Took it to the dealer and asked them to look at the message while they were addressing something else (black screen of death (BSOD) on entertainment system). They did a software update on 22 Jun which fixed the BSOD problem but the 4WD message came back 6 times in 220 mi. I brought the truck back to the dealer on 25 Jun. They replaced the 4WD actuator but they were still getting the message; they then replaced the transmission control module which finally cleared the fault.


Moral of the story:


- make sure you get ANY and ALL issues fixed before the factory warranty expires! This fix was covered under the warranty but would've cost me $600+
- you need a computer degree to diagnose vehicles today
- I'm glad I have my truck back!


UPDATE: message reappeared as I was driving to work this morning. This story's not over!

UPDATE: I used the truck for vacation the week of 4 Jul, and experienced both the "Service 4WD" message (too many times to count) and a RECURRING USB dropout issue. Brought the truck back to the dealer as soon as I got back on 8 Jul and they've had my truck ever since. They said they've been tracing wiring harnesses, looking for shorts, etc--even brought in a GM engineer for consultation. The good news is that I've been driving around a 2018 ZR2 loaner in the interim (get a lot of admiring looks/comments from folks but I don't think this is a very useful vehicle) and saw a useful feature on the ZR2: a momentary backup camera view button! Maybe they could install this feature on my truck? I WANT MY TRUCK BACK.

 

I can't believe it this happened to me a few times this week. I'm planning on bringing the truck in to have the chugging tsb installed so I'll also have them look into this.

 

Brought the truck in last week for this problem. The fix according to the invoice was to update transfer case control module code k69. To no surprise the 4wd service message came back today.

 

I just made an appointment for the same Service 4WD message, which appeared today on my way in to work, it's a 2018 Colorado Z71 Diesel. Turning the 4WD switch does nothing. Reading through this and other threads on this subject, it seems to be a couple of things that can cause it, but it always gets fixed so I'm not too concerned. This will be the second time I'll have it in for warranty service. The first for a code (I don't remember what it was) that turned out to be an improperly installed component on the turbo from the factory. I love this truck though, it's only the second new vehicle I have purchased but is already my favorite of every vehicle I have ever owned (at lease with 4 wheels). We can haul a 2 horse trailer with my wife's horses no problem, and get great mileage as a commuter at the same time. We have had to make several cross state trips the last few months (Washington State) and it is also the most comfortable vehicle I have ever had. This Diesel, turbo, 4WD truck is more complicated then my last car, but nothing ever failed on it in 15 years and 190K miles, not even a water pump or alternator. I don't miss it much though .

 

I brought my 2015 Colorado in to the dealership due to the error message and the fact it wouldn’t get out of 4wd about six months ago and said I must have hit it on accident and placed blame on me now it’s happened two more times and they said nothing is wrong. Three days later it locks up in 4 low and they’re saying it’s not covered under my 100k powertrain warrentee the truck only has 24k and said it’s $850 plus tax and a week at least to get the part to Hawaii. They missed the problem three times and want me to pay for it after telling me it must have been my fault. Still fight with them over the payment. Thinking about ordering it and taking it to a local shop.

 

Update from my 9/14 posting. So far I have been back 4 times with a 5th in the near future. Dealer has been great through it all. They have reprogramed the TCCM (transfer case control module), then replaced it on the next visit, replaced the encoder motor (I believe this engages the transfer case), then replaced a connector and short section of the wiring at the encoder motor. They escalated the case with GM after the first time in (putting the conductive grease on a connector) didn’t fix it. They are currently waiting on the next recommendation from GM so they can order the part. In the two weeks that I have had it since the last time back the “service 4WD” message has only come on once, which is a huge improvement so they must be getting close. I’m thinking that they may find a rubbing wiring harness like others have experienced. The only benefit is I get to drive other new cars as loaners, one of them being a 2019 LS Colorado V6 long bed. I learned that I really do enjoy the diesel more than the V6.

 

The dreaded Service 4wd message came up once last year and 3x since November. Took to dealer each time but they could not reproduce and it threw no codes. Finally happened when I was driving by a dealer. I refused to shut truck off as this seems to clear problem. Encoder motor and corroded wiring connector replaced. For me it only happens when it is cold outside. Hopefully this will fix the problem.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

 

I have been getting the service 4wd message lately... zr1 diesel 2016 so almost 5 years and 122,000 miles so warranty work is out the window.
Going to tear into it tomorrow.
Can anyone who has had this error give me a general idea of where the wire chaffing on the AC line is located on the truck.
and any other ideas of things to check while I have it on my buddies lift?
Thanks for the info
Chappy

 

I found this as a possible cause for the service 4wd message. Anyone know which connector this and where it's located?
Missing Connector Seals – TechLink

 

Mine was at the dealer for a week recently because of this. They checked harnesses etc and after unplugging all the connectors and reseating them, the issue is it reappeared.

Could be a false hope but it has been more than a month.

 

I had this issue repeatedly too. Got fed up and have since sold the truck, but figured I’d give the full story here for anyone who may benefit from the dealer’s solution to my problem.

Truck: 2016 Canyon SLE V6 gas 4WD
Symptoms: Truck randomly died, displayed “Service 4WD” and “Power Steering Reduced” messages simultaneously, and refused to start (wouldn’t even crank). Happened twice at 70mph on the highway, but magically started working again after being pulled over a few minutes. Then in September 2020, it happened again and refused to work the entire weekend. Towed to dealer on Monday.

In short, the dealer had it for almost 6 weeks straight. Three times, they thought they fixed the issue, only for it to occur again…either before I came to pick it up, or the day after (so towed it back).
It had ~60k miles at this point (but the error first appeared when it had probably about 45k). Only had one Certified Pre-Owned warranty remaining at this mileage, which the dealer could never promise this problem would be covered under beforehand…so for 6 weeks I was constantly preparing to spar with them on the phone about that. To their credit, they never stuck me with a bill in the end (even ate the towing cost)—probably because their three unsuccessful attempts to fix it had discovered other things, each of which they covered and thought that corrected the issue. So when I had to tow it back, I made it clear to them that it was a continuation of the same problem.

When they were first looking at it, their diagnostic summary was, “vehicle has no communication with ECM, TCM, and EBCM. while checking for schematics on si with key on and observing scan tool for several min vehicle began communicating/operating as it should. contacted TAC 9-6262901061. was advised to following PIT5414B for possible harness damage. none found.”

The 4th attempt was the charm—I got it back, it ran, and I traded it in elsewhere a week later. The dealer’s summary this time was “verified vehicle will not start at times. checked several circuits and wiring harness routing. found eng harness on pass side has be damage from making contact with catalytic converter. some of wiring that has been damaged is high speed data circuits. needs eng wiring harness replaced. replaced eng wiring harness. started vehicle several times and test drove vehicle.”

So that’s it. Not my truck, not my problem anymore, but maybe this info can help someone here. Good luck!

 

I had this issue repeatedly too. Got fed up and have since sold the truck, but figured I’d give the full story here for anyone who may benefit from the dealer’s solution to my problem.

Truck: 2016 Canyon SLE V6 gas 4WD
Symptoms: Truck randomly died, displayed “Service 4WD” and “Power Steering Reduced” messages simultaneously, and refused to start (wouldn’t even crank). Happened twice at 70mph on the highway, but magically started working again after being pulled over a few minutes. Then in September 2020, it happened again and refused to work the entire weekend. Towed to dealer on Monday.

In short, the dealer had it for almost 6 weeks straight. Three times, they thought they fixed the issue, only for it to occur again…either before I came to pick it up, or the day after (so towed it back).
It had ~60k miles at this point (but the error first appeared when it had probably about 45k). Only had one Certified Pre-Owned warranty remaining at this mileage, which the dealer could never promise this problem would be covered under beforehand…so for 6 weeks I was constantly preparing to spar with them on the phone about that. To their credit, they never stuck me with a bill in the end (even ate the towing cost)—probably because their three unsuccessful attempts to fix it had discovered other things, each of which they covered and thought that corrected the issue. So when I had to tow it back, I made it clear to them that it was a continuation of the same problem.

When they were first looking at it, their diagnostic summary was, “vehicle has no communication with ECM, TCM, and EBCM. while checking for schematics on si with key on and observing scan tool for several min vehicle began communicating/operating as it should. contacted TAC 9-6262901061. was advised to following PIT5414B for possible harness damage. none found.”

The 4th attempt was the charm—I got it back, it ran, and I traded it in elsewhere a week later. The dealer’s summary this time was “verified vehicle will not start at times. checked several circuits and wiring harness routing. found eng harness on pass side has be damage from making contact with catalytic converter. some of wiring that has been damaged is high speed data circuits. needs eng wiring harness replaced. replaced eng wiring harness. started vehicle several times and test drove vehicle.”

So that’s it. Not my truck, not my problem anymore, but maybe this info can help someone here. Good luck!

Amazing they didn't see (and smell)the wiring harness cooked to the CAT. jeeez

 

Hey all my wife got the 2017 Colorado duramax and we get the same service 4 wheel drive but it locks the four wheel on and it’s like your driving in 4x4 and after a few blocks them the traction control light comes on. If I turn off truck for a few hours it doesn’t come back on till u drive a bit but doing it more and more help

 

This thread has been dead for over 2 years. Start a new thread to get updated answers.