Grease needed in the 4x4 TC actuator?

Like most of the country, we are about to get some snow in Dallas, which is rare.

Well, my 4x4 has been acting up as in no 4H or 4L. Was working 6 months ago, but due to pandemic, really haven’t driven the truck much. Actually, it would work occasionally as in less than 10% of the time. 4H usually have no light at all, but 4L, would have the 4x4, but flashing Lo light. Again, only works 10% of the time.

Anyway, done some research and most people suggest the front ADD actuator and to solder the 2 ends of the motor, which I’ve done already. Unfortunately, still didn’t do anything.

it’s cold, but I really wanted to fix it. So I just took the plastic cover off. Looks relatively clean but notice it does have excessive grease on the 3 rings perhaps? I know grease should be use around the gears, but does it really need it on the 3 contact rings? Some videos I can find, most people complained theirs has rust and other debris, which mine seemed clean other than heavy grease everywhere. Is it even needed?

 

just a hunch. did it start happening around the time it started getting cold?

a while a friend of mines had a similar issue. the grease was getting to hard when it got cold. he cleaned it out and put in fresh grease that wasnt so thick and it worked fine

on the other hand maybe the actuator/solenoid itself might be going out?

 

Thats the normal amount of grease. Those actuators are expensive I wouldn't be messing with them.

 

I went ahead and removed about 1/2 of the grease and made sure the 3 rings were fully cleaned. Put everything back and it actually worked.

Here in Dallas, we’re getting snow on the road so no problem using 4x4 in both high and low. So that was about 20 min driving in 4high to the store.

well, after 20 min, the 4wd light just went off and I heard a faint click from passenger side and now, I’m in 2wd. Pulled the truck to an open parking lot and no lights at all when in 4high. For some reason, if I play with the switch several times, I can get 4low to work. But it’s odd that I can get 4low, but it would bypass 4high? As of now, there’s no light or anything blinking when trying to get 4high.

once it gets warmer, I guess I’ll pull the actuator cover off and fully clean the old grease and get some new dielectric grease instead.

But could it be anything else?