What does this guy do? I tried rebuilding my motor and think I may have messed something up. I don't think the motor works anymore.

I noticed that these are carried by auto parts places, but that the brown wire does not have a socket on the shift motor connector...it is filled in. Does this mean I'd have to take the brown wire out of the connector (truck side) and make my own connection?

 

The 2001+ trucks with live axles do not have the brown wire in the harness but yours does. I don't know the true reason for sure but I think it powers a clutch in the t-case that engages to spin the front driveshaft and diff up to match speed for "4WD shift on the fly" with the disengageable front hubs.

 

okay. so if I go that route, I'll just remove the truckside brown wire and make the connection outside the connectors.

question about the shift motor, if I apply 12v to the yellow and orange wires, shouldn't that make the motor turn one way or the other? Mine does not turn.

 

That's how it looks to me.