97 AWD Jimmy problems

[jomo]

I have a 97 AWD GMC Jimmy and live in PA where we get snow a lot. Earlier today i was driving in it no problem. Went to my shop xmas party and driving home seemed like only my rear was spinning. Every time i went around a corner the back end wanted to kick out but i thought it was just slippery out. Later i went to a friends house and his driveway is up a hill and i couldnt even make it all the way up, one back tire was all that was spinning. His dad said it could be a vacuum leak. If anyone knows anything about AWD Jimmys that know what it could be would help me out a lot.

Thanks

 

[Molson02536]

I have a 97 AWD GMC Jimmy and live in PA where we get snow a lot. Earlier today i was driving in it no problem. Went to my shop xmas party and driving home seemed like only my rear was spinning. Every time i went around a corner the back end wanted to kick out but i thought it was just slippery out. Later i went to a friends house and his driveway is up a hill and i couldnt even make it all the way up, one back tire was all that was spinning. His dad said it could be a vacuum leak. If anyone knows anything about AWD Jimmys that know what it could be would help me out a lot.

Thanks

First confirm to us if its a AWD or a 4WD with the push button on the dash to activate your 4wd. If it is a AWD, the its a good chance that you have a broken front axle.

But to my understanding is that all the AWD system had a G80 locking differential in the rear axle where your is not from what you described.

Molson02536

 

[jomo]

i said in the original post that it was AWD but yes i didnt say this though but there is no buttons on the dash or lever to switch between 4 or 2wd. i highly doubt its a broken front axle when it was working fine earlier in the day and i didnt hear or feel anything brake or even hit something hard before or after i noticed it wasnt spinning the front. i was hoping for little things to troubleshoot instead of jumping right to something so drastic that probably isnt the problem

 

[Molson02536]

i said in the original post that it was AWD but yes i didnt say this though but there is no buttons on the dash or lever to switch between 4 or 2wd. i highly doubt its a broken front axle when it was working fine earlier in the day and i didnt hear or feel anything brake or even hit something hard before or after i noticed it wasnt spinning the front. i was hoping for little things to troubleshoot instead of jumping right to something so drastic that probably isnt the problem

If you are having problems with the AWD, you likely have an issue with the fluid condition. If left in a degraded state long enough, it can burn out the clutch packs which can cause some very annoying drive-ability concerns.

The front axle is engaged all the time which, is a welcomed reprieve from the complicated and often problematic front axle engagement system that is used on all of the rest of the 4wd s-series trucks. While the constant turning of the front drivetrain does add a bit of parasitic loss to the vehicle, it also had additional maintenance cause of the transfer case.

Like the NV236 thansfer case in most 4WD Jimmys and Blazers requires your Borg Warner transfer case uses GM AutoTrak II fluid. While it is about two to three times the cost of regular ATF, it's properties are essential to the health of the viscous clutch. And with a service requiring just shy of 2 liters, it isn't something you should try to cut corners on to save a few dollars.

If a flush didn't remedy the problem to your AWD, then the clutch is gone and you'll need to have the clutch packs replaced. The clutch is in the transfer case and preloaded to always be working with a 35/65 front/rear split most of the time.

Hope this helps and its just a transfer case fluid flush that will fix your awd issue and not a worn clutch pack.

Molson02536