[align=right]Post #2[/size]3[/align]1996 1500, 5.2l, 5-spd., 4x4.

In 4x4 the light on the dash will not come on, but the truck is in 4x4. I thought it was the switch at the CAD soI pulled the switch out and cycled it by hand and the light on the dash came on. I put the switch back in,drove thetruck in 4x4and no 4WD light.

I took the switch back out and watched the plunger (connected to the shift fork of the CAD) move full stroke as the T-Case was cycled between 4x4 and 4x2. The plunger is moving more than enough to push the plunger on the switch. There is also plenty of pressure behind the plunger. Using a bolt I could not push the plunger back to the 4x2 position.

Mechanically the 4x4 system is working as it should, so why does the switch work outside of the CAD housing? But when it is screwed into the CAD housing it does not work?

Any ideas or comments is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading my post (sorry it is long),
John[/align]

 

that is odd, sometimes it take about 5min. for my lgiht to appear, and some jiggling of the lever. i guess thats not your case. all of your other dash lights working?

 

Yeah, that is odd. When I put in my 4x4 Posi-Lok I noticed it had to be adjusted juuuuust right for it to make the contact. That switched seemed to be kind of touchy when it came to making the contact for the light to come on.

 

it might be getting pushed at an odd angle so the switch isent making proper contact

 

Thanks to all for your input andcomments.

BIGRED97 - Yes. all the dash lights are working. You make a good point, even when it did work (the 4WD light) it took about 45 sec. to illuminate. Probably the delay while the vacuum pressure (or should I say negative pressure) was building up enough to move the shift collar in the CAD. I will check the vacuum at the CAD.

Aubrey - How did you adust you switch? Mine has a face seal so it has to be screwed in all the way.

Thanks for the help. I will let you know how (if) I get it fixed.

Thank again,
John

 

The adjustment is on the 4x4 Posi-Lok. If you have the stock vaccum switch, there's no adjustment that I know of. With the Posi-Lok, you have to get the cable throw adjusted right so it will engage and disengage. It will actually move without making contact to throw the light so you have to get it adjusted just right for it all to work properly. Once it's set, you're good to go.

 

Mine just started doin the same thing about 3 days ago. I can put it in 4x4 and it kicks in cause i can feel it and all tires spin when i go but i have no 4wd dash light. I was told my light just burned out in the dash is this possible?

 

I suppose but sounds kind of odd for the light to just go out. I don't know but I wonder if there's a fuse for those lights.

 

Test the light by pulling the dash bezel and gauge cluster and putting power and groundto it.

If it doesn't light and you want one and it's not a huge PITA to get out, you can have mine. I put a one peice passenger axle shaft in mine which deletes the CAD.I also have a different t-case in mine that does not have vacuum lines, so bottom line is I will never have a need for it again.

Let me know if you need it.

 

possible, but i doubt it.
if you have the digitial odometer, an easier way to test it is to hold trip meter in while turning key on. continue to hold in trip meter until you see CHEK. then turn it loose. cluster will perform a self test where it lights up all the lights, then sweeps the gauges to about 1/4, 1/2, then full.