2nd Gen Dakota Tech 1997 - 2004 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 2nd Gen Dakota.

2003 Dakota wont move unless in 4H

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-13-2015, 09:18 PM
jrlaplante's Avatar
jrlaplante
jrlaplante is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 2003 Dakota wont move unless in 4H

Wife was driving and said she heard some clicking noise. Shortly after the truck lost forward power and she pulled over. Engine runs fine but truck will not move in any gear. If you change selector from AWD to 4H the truck will drive. I'm thinking front transfer case but not sure. Any ideas?
 
  #2  
Old 10-14-2015, 12:15 AM
magnethead's Avatar
magnethead
magnethead is offline
Legend
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 7,935
Received 153 Likes on 140 Posts
Default

Sounds to me like like the differential in the transfercase may have come apart. Front differential is also possible, though.
 
  #3  
Old 10-14-2015, 08:21 PM
00DakDan's Avatar
00DakDan
00DakDan is offline
Section Moderator
Dodge Forum Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Could also be a bad ring/pinion in the rear differential.

Is the rear driveshaft still in place?

Pull the cover and check the gears. I don't think the front differential is bad, I think it's the only reason you're moving now. When you put the t-case into 4WD it locks the front/rear driveshafts together.
 
  #4  
Old 10-14-2015, 09:57 PM
magnethead's Avatar
magnethead
magnethead is offline
Legend
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 7,935
Received 153 Likes on 140 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 00DakDan
Could also be a bad ring/pinion in the rear differential.

Is the rear driveshaft still in place?

Pull the cover and check the gears. I don't think the front differential is bad, I think it's the only reason you're moving now. When you put the t-case into 4WD it locks the front/rear driveshafts together.
by the same token, if the front was shot, the differential in the T-case would send all drive to the less-resistive front. So it could technically go both ways.

Easy way to tell? Put it in AWD and have a friend put it in drive while you watch the rear driveshaft to see if it turns. You might be able to see the front driveshaft (I don't have a 4WD so I don't know how far down it goes). Whichever one turns and the vehicle doesn't move is the one that's shot.
 
  #5  
Old 10-15-2015, 08:31 PM
00DakDan's Avatar
00DakDan
00DakDan is offline
Section Moderator
Dodge Forum Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by magnethead
by the same token, if the front was shot, the differential in the T-case would send all drive to the less-resistive front. So it could technically go both ways.
Good point.
 
  #6  
Old 10-17-2015, 01:04 PM
jrlaplante's Avatar
jrlaplante
jrlaplante is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Update

OK, I pulled drive shaft and towed home. With drive shaft removed the truck will not move either in AWD or FWD. makes the grinding noise which is coming from the front transfer case.
 
  #7  
Old 10-18-2015, 02:19 PM
magnethead's Avatar
magnethead
magnethead is offline
Legend
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 7,935
Received 153 Likes on 140 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jrlaplante
OK, I pulled drive shaft and towed home. With drive shaft removed the truck will not move either in AWD or FWD. makes the grinding noise which is coming from the front transfer case.
which driveshaft? The front or rear?

There's only one transfercase in the middle of the truck. Are you saying the front axle is making noise when towing?
 
  #8  
Old 10-18-2015, 09:53 PM
jrlaplante's Avatar
jrlaplante
jrlaplante is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Rear drive shaft. Now will not move and noise is coming from underneath drivers side when truck is put into drive.
 



Quick Reply: 2003 Dakota wont move unless in 4H



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:44 PM.