Hi folks --

I just found this forum when trying to figure out what might be wrong with my '02 Dakota.

Forum search turned up a recall on the control module -- was wondering if it's a prolem with this, or something else. I have to admit I'm not up on the 4wd system on this truck, although it looks like i'm gonna have to learn pretty quickly.

Here is what happened:

1) Wife complained she could not get the truck to go forward or backward, and then after a couple of tries it was ok (her words)

2) I get in to check it out. Before I started it up, the switch was in 4wd Hi. I started it up, and put it into reverse. Immediately there was a loud squeal from underneath -- sounded just like a slipping belt. I put it into neutral and the squeal stopped just about at the same time (don't know if it stopped because I put it in neutral or just stopped on its own).

3) I was still parked in the driveway, in neutral. I then noticed it was in4-Hi, and switched to 2-hi. The light blinked yellow, and it failed to go green on 2hi. The light stayed on 4-hi, even though the switch was on 2-hi. From that point on, no matter what I did with the switch, it still indicated it wasin 4-hi. Could not go to 2-hi or 4-lo.

I've seen several posts about a recall on the transfer case module -- does it sound like an issue with this?

What's best case / worst case?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

Probably just your wiring somewhere. A fuse?

 

worst case... you blew up the transfer case

 

Are you sure it's physically in 4wd and not just leaving the indicator light on.

 

Just got stuck out on the road doing a little more testing.

Yes, it's definitely in 4wd, and won't go into 2wd.

I had the same behavior as my wife: wouldn't engage in drive or reverse -- thought I was gonna have to winch the thing back up into my garage, but after fiddling with it for a few minutes I got reverse and drive again, long enough to pull back up into my driveway.

I'm done testing - don't wanna risk further damage.

It's on its way to the shop.

 

yup sounds like something broke inside the tcase. It's floating in neutral between hi and lo and when it does grab, it's going to 4wd.