No four wheel drive?
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and today tried to engage the four wheel drive for some snow. The truck would not engage into four wheel high or low, no light comes on to display the four wheel drive is working. There is proper level of fluid in the transfer case. Anyone ever experience any problems like this or any info as to a possible fix besides replacing the transfer case.
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Does it have a Vaccum assist? 0 -
Different ways to invoke 4-wheel drive - my GM monster uses some sorta thermo bulb to push out a pin - takes longer the colder it is - just when you need it, it is slower to engage. Some of those units get gummed up from never getting used, so even if they "want" to work, they are prevented by schmutz. I now make sure I invoke 4-wheel drive at least once a week, for a period of time, and I go somewhere, shut it off, come back, and make it go into 4-wheel again, before I take it out.
Some systems are "coggy" where you have to jockey it around a little before it will actually engage - just drive slowly in a large circle till it lines up, and presto! Check your manual for the right special "dance" or magic incantation you need to do.
I think the next one I get is gonna have a big ass lever connected to some gears - move the lever, and you are in. I hate this stupid thermobulb/pin arrangement. Just don't feel right.0 -
dumb question but, what kind of lock outs does it have? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
dumb question but, what kind of lock outs does it have?
2001 none..probably vaccum assist..check for damaged or hoses that have come off..try putting it in neutral.then engage the transfer case..then put it in reverse and back up a little..not a Dodge fan though....just a ole injun trick...Loko [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by LOKO383
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
dumb question but, what kind of lock outs does it have?
2001 none..probably vaccum assist..check for damaged or hoses that have come off..try putting it in neutral.then engage the transfer case..then put it in reverse and back up a little..not a Dodge fan though....just a ole injun trick...Loko [:D]
I assumed it was vaccum assist.
Have someone put it in 4WD while you stand over the engine with the hood open. Listen for unusual noises and if you can access the vaccum system, try to help it engage.0 -
quote:Originally posted by LOKO383
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
dumb question but, what kind of lock outs does it have?
2001 none..probably vaccum assist..check for damaged or hoses that have come off..try putting it in neutral.then engage the transfer case..then put it in reverse and back up a little..not a Dodge fan though....just a ole injun trick...Loko [:D]
i said it was a dumb question[:I]
i just did a google on it, and there are many complaints about their "vacum assist" 4x40 -
I have a '99 Dakota and it dosent have any kind of lock-out.
The only place it goes in and out of 4wd is the transfer case.
The light quit working long ago but the 4wd works fine.
Have you checked to see if it is actually going in 4wd and the indicator light is just not working ?0 -
I also did a google on it typed -2001 dodge ram 1500 not engaging into four wheel drive- and got nothing. It is vacuum assisted when trying to put in low 4 it grinds which is normal, but does not engage tried the neutral and reverse all that good stuff, nothing works. 0 -
The light does not come on and when in four wheel drive only the rear tires are spinning, thought the same thing maybe the light just burnt out but not the case here tried for hours to engage while driving around, just spent alot of time spinning my wheels. 0 -
I think that truck has front axle disconnect should be on right side most likely that and not transfer case 0 -
Check your actuator, see link ...
http://www.strippermotorsports.com/4x4pofraxacp.html
Good luck!0 -
My '97 Suburban did that about a month ago. I found out that the switch that engages it had burned out. The only way to buy the switch was to buy the wiring harness for it also. It ended up costing me $500, but the 4wd works now. 0 -
I just got under mine and lube it, it had dried up because of little use after that it worked great. 0 -
Two vacuum lines in front of the transfer case check those. I got a 2001 dodge one of those lines broke and I lost 4wd. 0 -
Don't worry about the light. Savage170 is right on the money though. They have a disconnect on the right side of the axle. It is the section between the hoghead and the tube end that is overly large, chrysler products are notorious for these. The jeeps and the light dodge trucks are I believe vacuum assisted however the heavier axles are not. Check to see if maybe you have snagged somthing with the wires and hoses, my light has not worked on mine for a long time due to a broken wire. That is the bad thing about Dana 44 build for Diamler-Chrysler, no lock outs and damn axle disconnect. My Dana 60 is similar but it is not vacuum actuated, just need some centripital force for that bad boy. 0 -
If it is a vacuum system, it may be the vacuum 4x4 disconnect motor diaphram (inboard of right wheel on dif.). My jeep has a similar system. It did the same once and I had to pull it from the front dif. and cycle the disconnect spline. I hadn't used it in a long time and it had siezed a little. Once I got it open, I slid back and forth and lubed it to get it going. The 4x4 light in on the dash also runs from a switch on the vacuum motor. May be a similar system for your Mopar as Jeep is a Mopar. Otherwise, there may be a vacuum lek as already suggested. [:)]
Earl0 -
quote:it may be the vacuum 4x4 disconnect motor diaphram (inboard of right wheel on dif.). My jeep has a similar system.
The system (I believe) you are referring to on the Jeeps is not for the 4x4 as far as the transfer case goes. It is for the two piece front axle found on many Jeeps with Dana 35 and 44 axles. It separates (unlocks) the front axle shafts to allow the front tires to turn more independently of each other during cornering. Once you lock in the 4x4 a vacuum will slide the locking collar over the halves and lock them together. I welded the one in my off road Jeep to the axle in the locked position and did away with the vacuum hoses.
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Which type of transfer case do you have?
And things to check.
Manual shift with the straight line shift pattern in the floor.
The shift lever is connected to the transfer case range lever by an adjustable linkage rod. Check that the Linkage Rod/s is/are not jammed with crud, sticks, also for bent, loose or worn bushings where the pins connect to the levers on the transfer case. These are bad to get jammed with mud and ice. A trip to the car wash with a high pressure can often cure this problem.
Electrical Transfer cases
Start by checking the fuses or breakers. Then move to the motors themselves. Check for loose or damaged wiring. If all is well check or have the motors checked.0 -
quote:Originally posted by westernMDhunter
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and today tried to engage the four wheel drive for some snow. The truck would not engage into four wheel high or low, no light comes on to display the four wheel drive is working. There is proper level of fluid in the transfer case. Anyone ever experience any problems like this or any info as to a possible fix besides replacing the transfer case.
As the Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 pickup was designed specifically to tow Gay Pride Parade floats and shuttle spotting size queens to and from the Free Clinic, the four-wheel drive system was more a marketing afterthought than of any practical concern. However, Dodge does sell vials of KY Jelly to apply to the axle locking collars to help the vacuum assist along, with a video of two towel boys from Zipperzap's North Beach Man's Spa illustrating the principle. Good luck.0 -
Les
The system is for the engagement of the split dif. axles. If the vacuum motor does not shift the spline to the engaged position, the switch will not give the light in the dash. The transfer case provides the vacuum when the shift handle is put in 4x4, it goes up to the vacuum motor. That, in turn, shifts the spline into 4x4. You can put the transfer case into 4x4 all day long and it will not give you front drive. It will, though, give you lower gearing to the back wheels in the 4xlow pos; due to the gears in the xfer case. With an "open" front dif, that most trucks have; the 4x4 option is useless until both axle ends of the front dif. are engaged. Unless you have a "locker in the front of a DANa 30,which in the front of most Jeeps, you are gonna have a low geared two wheel drive. DANA 44'S are on the new Rubicons front and rear, but the 35 has only ever been used on the rear end.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
quote:Originally posted by westernMDhunter
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and today tried to engage the four wheel drive for some snow. The truck would not engage into four wheel high or low, no light comes on to display the four wheel drive is working. There is proper level of fluid in the transfer case. Anyone ever experience any problems like this or any info as to a possible fix besides replacing the transfer case.
As the Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 pickup was designed specifically to tow Gay Pride Parade floats and shuttle spotting size queens to and from the Free Clinic, the four-wheel drive system was more a marketing afterthought than of any practical concern. However, Dodge does sell vials of KY Jelly to apply to the axle locking collars to help the vacuum assist along, with a video of two towel boys from Zipperzap's North Beach Man's Spa illustrating the principle. Good luck.
That may have been the funniest thing I've read all week. I'm in tears.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
quote:Originally posted by DancesWithSheep
quote:Originally posted by westernMDhunter
I own a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and today tried to engage the four wheel drive for some snow. The truck would not engage into four wheel high or low, no light comes on to display the four wheel drive is working. There is proper level of fluid in the transfer case. Anyone ever experience any problems like this or any info as to a possible fix besides replacing the transfer case.
As the Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 pickup was designed specifically to tow Gay Pride Parade floats and shuttle spotting size queens to and from the Free Clinic, the four-wheel drive system was more a marketing afterthought than of any practical concern. However, Dodge does sell vials of KY Jelly to apply to the axle locking collars to help the vacuum assist along, with a video of two towel boys from Zipperzap's North Beach Man's Spa illustrating the principle. Good luck.
That may have been the funniest thing I've read all week. I'm in tears.
[:0][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][:D][:D][:D]
The Funniest thing all week huh! I think that is the Funniest POOP I've heard all year!![:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]0 -
I'm sure the engagement is the same system as some Jeeps use. You may have a vacuum line off or the slider might just be stuck. You can look for a loose/dangling line near the axle disconnect which is on the longer side of the front axle. They don't usually come off unless you've been driving in the brush or corn stalks to drag it off. There is also a little selector that controls the vacuum that is either on the shift linkage or on the transfer case. On older Jeeps I've had slow engagement at times but you can sometimes make it work better by creating a high vacuum condition by engaging while letting up on the gas. If it's just stuck after you get it engaged it may not disengage either. I'm driving one now that is slow to disengage and make not at all if it's below zero. You can tell by a little decrease in gas mileage. 0 -
What redneckandy said. Vacuum lines in front of transfer case, same problem with my 2001 RAM......... 0 -
I make sure to put the Expedition through 4x4 low and hi at least once a month.
A friend of mine had a Navigator, put it in 4x4 after not using it for awhile and BAM, there went the transfer case - $8k repair (warranty).0 -
I had a 91 Ford that used an electric solenoid to engage 4 wheel drive. It went out once at the worst possible time. 0 -
Having read all this, now I don't mind so much having to get out and lock the hubs on my '03 F350. Something to be said for the KISS principal 0
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