New cam, DOD delete, and new front diff, now won't shift out of 1st

[AdsoYo]

2007 9-7x 5.3i: Last night I finished swapping in a new cam, deleting DOD, and swapped in a new front diff with a different gear ratio. It fired right up and held idle with the stock tune. I let it warm up to operating temp and decided to try driving it around the block. I made it halfway and turned around because it wouldn't shift out of 1st and felt like it was in 4 low, like the converter was locked and it wouldn't coast.

My main concern is that the front diff is engaged and getting beat up due to the different gear ratios but the tires aren't dragging or anything. My understanding is the front shouldn't automatically engage unless the rear is slipping though, and there should be a "thud". I have gears for the rear, just haven't installed yet. I also lost some trans fluid by disconnecting the cooler lines from the radiator but didn't think it was enough to cause problems.

I also have a check engine light due to the deleted DOD that I haven't tuned out yet, would that cause this sort of problem?

I'm working all day today of course so these things are going to be running through my head non stop.

 

[AdsoYo]

Here's what I'm thinking for tonight: check trans fluid level, upload a new tune with DOD removed, lift the car off the ground and put it in drive to see if all 4 spin. I might poke around in the tune and see if there's anything AWD related I can disable for the time being, too. I don't think I fully understand the AWD/4WD in this vehicle. Is there a way to physically disable it without pulling both front cv axles?

 

[AdsoYo]

It's so helpful to simply write/type out your thoughts sometimes. I checked the trans fluid and it was still full. Uploaded a new file with DOD disabled and lifted the car. When I put it in drive, all 4 wheels spun and I could hear the transfer case thumping like crazy. Turns out I didn't have a complete understanding of the AWD system on this rig and it was trying to engage AWD. I got underneath and unplugged the transfer case and the front driveshaft speed sensor. Fired it up again, no more thumping. Took it for a drive around the block, drove perfectly!

 

[Mooseman]

I was just going to suggest you disable the encoder motor by pulling the TC fuse but unplugging also works. Yeah, it's a part-time AWD system, basically the same as putting a 4x4 truck in Auto. When it detects rear wheel slip, it engages the front wheels. I call it the slip-bang system. I wasn't a fan of it when I had the 9-7x.

 

[Zaab]

Hi AdsoYo! Did you do all these works at home? Do I need an engine host to pull it out & swap cam, DOD delete, etc.?

 

[AdsoYo]

Hi AdsoYo! Did you do all these works at home? Do I need an engine host to pull it out & swap cam, DOD delete, etc.?

Yes I did all this in my garage. No you don't need an engine hoist. I did have something called a QuickJack that lifts the car by pressing a button but you don't need that either. Just jack and jack stands.

 

[AdsoYo]

I was just going to suggest you disable the encoder motor by pulling the TC fuse but unplugging also works. Yeah, it's a part-time AWD system, basically the same as putting a 4x4 truck in Auto. When it detects rear wheel slip, it engages the front wheels. I call it the slip-bang system. I wasn't a fan of it when I had the 9-7x.

Is that fuse #8 in the engine compartment? I'd rather pull a fuse than have wires unplugged underneath especially since it's going to rain.

 

[AdsoYo]

To answer my own question: yes the #8 30a fuse disables the AWD system and there is NO dash light.