I have just got a 02 Durango 4X4 SLT plus 4.7. It has a odd 4X4 problem.

When i got the truck it was in 2wd. It would not switch to 4wd. I figured out the switch was unplugged. I plugged it back in to test the 4wd. I put it in 4high and it engaged. Now it will not disengage from 4hi. When i turn the **** too 2wd the light for 2hi blinks for a few seconds then lights up 4hi. I can not get it out of 4hi. Any ideas to what this is?

Thanks for the help.

 

Did you try going real slow forward about 20 feet or so and then real slow backward about 20 feet? I had to do that a few times to get it to go back into 2hi on mine. Make sure and keep the wheels straight when you do it.

 

Shift it while slightly moving forward and in drive.

Read your owners manual, it has instructions.

 

This problem is not just drivng a few feet to disengage it. The service 4wd light is on as well (I should of posted that i guess).

I i put the durango into 2hi it will just flash for a few seconds then light back up in 4wd. It will not go into 2hi. I have tried this while moving and standing still.

Is there a motor that puts the Durango into 4WD and 2WD? Maybe it is broke?

 

Why not try to unplug that connector for a temporary fix?

 

Im trying to get it fixed. Im not looking for a temporary one.

 

The '03 4.7 has a motor / sensor combination that puts it in and out of 4WD, I believe the '02 is the same setup. You should be able to hear / feel it moving if you're under the truck. I'd bet it's either not moving, or the sensor is not registering movement and telling it to stay in 4WD.

Bob

 

This is a great starting place. I am not hearing anything happen when i put the truck in 2hi.

I do believe the motor worked because it went from 2hi too 4hi but them never worked again. Maybe the sensor is bad.

 

It may have moved once and then stuck. The PO could have had the same issue and got it back into 2WD, then unplugged the switch so it wouldn't happen again.

FWIW, I think the sequence of operations is
1) Move switch
2) motor moves / lights on switch blink
3) Sensor confirms that motor has moved
4) lights change on switch accordingly.

I had to troubleshoot mine a long while back because it wouldn't come out of 4WD without driving in reverse, and then it slammed out hard. I replaced the motor thinking it was bad and had some improvement, but it still wasn't right. The final fix was when I found a wheel hub bearing starting to go. It was putting enough strain on the drivetrain to prevent it from coming out smoothly. Once I changed that it was smooth as silk again, both moving and standing still. Truck drove better in 4WD as well, previously it felt like it "swayed" when driving in 4HI.

EDIT: You know, another thought just came to me. Since the switch was unplugged I'd assume the indicator lights weren't working. Could the truck have been in 4WD the whole time? I'd think you would have noticed the difference, but you never know....

Pretty simple to troubleshoot.... crawl under the truck & locate the motor on the transfer case. remove it but leave it plugged in, then rotate the switch. You should see the motor move. Or, just put your hand over the motor and have someone move the switch so you can feel it. Ignition has to be on but the truck doesn't need to be running to do this. At least on mine it's that way.

Bob

 

The problem is solved. Upon closer inspection the the plug under the car, two of the pins in the plug where pushed back. Changed the plug and it works great.