I am not a mechanic but replacing the transfer case motor appears to be a few bolts and a plug. Is this something I can do or should I take it to a shop?

 

Hi everyone, picked up my car yesterday at the dealership. They were really great, replaced the transfer case motor and as of now all is great! Thanks to all for the help! I'll keep you all posted!

 

Hey everyone with the mystery 4lo 4 lock issue! I just wanted to give an update, I had my 2005 Durango 5.7 Hemi repaired last week. After much discussion with the dealership and from everyone posting and helping here!! I had them replace the transefer case motor and have had no issues since! Sorry if I don't have part numbers ect. The cost including labor was under $600. Thanks to all that sent me messages!

 

I have a 2006 Adventurer and I have the same problem as all of you have (as well as the fuel fill=puking issue).

So it sounds like everyone has had good luck with the Transfer Case Motor replacement. As a previous poster asked, is this something that can be done by myself? I'm not professional wrench, but I know my way around a garage. Sounds like the dealerships are ripping people off (surprise, surprise) when the part could be replaced by the owner. Looks like only a couple bolts and a wiring connector. Anyone try to replace it themselves?

Another funky issue with my 2006 D is half the time when I turn on my left turn signal the right one comes on. I have to "reset" the turn signal a few times before it starts working again. When turning the right turn signal on it will flash 2-3 times and then go out. Again I have to "reset" it so couple times before it will work properly.

At 102K miles, she is falling apart at the seams...

 

My wife has this problem with our 2005 AWD Hemi 5.7 ... The vehicle has just under 200k miles and we are not interested in expensive repairs as she is getting a new 2012 car in the next 6 months - however we would like to use the vehicle still on a limited basis if possible. I read this thread and wondered if anyone had success in unplugging the AWD or the 4lo or whatever it would take to keep it from transfering on it's own to 4lo?

I saw a tech post somewhere else that "No it's not possible to do this because it's AWD all the time" citing multiple CEL's (check engine lights) ranging from ABS to 4WD. Personally I'd rather stare at a CEL than worry if my wife is going to be in a wreck because the car shifts into 4lo at freeway speeds.

I understand this is the lesser of two evils (unplugging 4lo) but if it's possible to do this can someone please post a diy (do it yourself) breakdown of how to get it done - and if it's not possible, an explanation why? Other than it will throw CEL's

Thank you

Dear 2005DHEMI,
I am not the technical person that you need but I will say that the dealership told me that the car cannot shift into 4lo at high speeds. It may be trying to as mine did but there are supposed to be other "safety" mechanisms in the car that will not allow it. In my experience it usally happened to me when I was driving for about 10-15 minutes regardless of the speed and it would actually lock in when I was going approx 2-5mi per hour such as turning at a light. The noise was awful, such as grinding gears and losing the transmission, or it seemed so. I would have to cost to the curb! Later it would reset itself and I was able to drive it home. That is when I took it in to have it repaired. It had finally gotten bad enough to diagnose. The Transfer case motor replacement at approx $565.00 including labor. I haven't had any problems since. Good luck to you!

 

My 2006 Hemi D did this in December 2010. My local mechanic unplugged the transfer case motor and no problems except "4wd svc" light stays lit all the time. If I needed 4wd last winter, he plugged it up and then unplugged without charging me. I want to fix this for the upcoming winter and I have been trying to order the motor online and none of the auto parts places can get it, they show the p/n, but when I order, they say it is unavailable. Dodge can get it on a 6-8 week back order for about $530.00, no thanks! I am thinking of buying a used one from a salvage yard to see if it works. Cardone says they can rebuild one if it is sent to them.

 

Did you ever get your Durango back, repaired?

 

The dealer doesn't know what he is talking about. I have disconnected mine for about a year then for fun I reconnected it and the problem was still there so I just swore and disconnected it again. I hate Dodge. BTW I was one of the original posters and I think I am going to try the transfer case replacement as others seem to have had this work okay.

 

My Durango hasn't missed a beat since I had the transfer case motor replaced. Best of luck!

 

This repair solved the problem on my 2005 Dodge Durango Hemi and there has not been a problem w/ 4X4 since the fix in 2010.