I have a 2001 Ram 1500 with 5.2L with automatic transmission and a manual shift 4x4 on the floor. I have no troubles shifting in and out of four wheel drive. My problem is the 4x4 light doesn't want to go off.

Sometimes it will go off then out back on with a solid light and then sometimes it rapidy starts blinking. I know the truck is out of 4x4 drive but the light is really starting to bug me. Most of the time it will stay on for 3 or 4 miles after I take it out of gear.

I'm sure its just a sensor somewhere, but can someone steer me in the right direction.

Thanks Shane

 

if it's a 4x4 on the floor then the only thing i can think of is the sending unit for the 4x4 light is either loose or broken. dont ask me where it's at because i dont know but there's nothing electronic to a manual transfercase.

 

here's the whole story.
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm


the t-case shift engages the gears and the front drive shaft, and the stupid little vac switch, which runs over to the cad vac motor, which slides the coupler over the axle which also depresses the switch for the light.

your blinky light might be a bad elec switch, or the coupler moving back and forth, and/or a vac leak. or it could just be a dirty elec connector on the end of the cad. disconnect it and spray it out with cleaner or wd40. my light didn't work once because it was full of mud.

 

The shift lever only controls the transfer case output to the front driveshaft. Actual engagement of 4WD by the axle is done by the CAD (see the glossary sticky) located on the passenger side of the front axle. It is controlled by vacuum and a switch located on top of the transfer case. The switch that turns on/off the light on the dash is on the CAD. If there is any malfunction of the CAD system (and there often is) the actuator on the CAD will pop in and out of 4WD without affecting the transfer case. This can cause the light to stay on or not. Do a search for the "No X4" thread (with the quote marks) for more info on how this system works and fails.

EDIT: Damn you, DHV!

 

^ gotta be quicker.

 

alright next time i'll try an be a little more detailed in my response!

 

I've had this happen "one" time early in the freezing morn temps, then it went away after the temp warmed up,(happened first thing hunting in the morning,then after i was done afternoon,it was back to normal) Could condesation cause it to freeze up? I dont know if its possible .

 

I've said it many times, the vacuum-actuated 4WD system on these trucks SUCKS! There are so many things that can cause it to either work erratically or not at all. Yes, cold can affect it because the CAD relies on vacuum to suck in a diaphragm (CAD motor) in order to slide a mechanical collar over the axle shaft to engage it. Even if the vacuum is sufficient, the cold can inhibit the rubber diaphragm and the CAD shifting apparatus and cause the engagement to be sluggish or intermittent. The Posi-Lok cable is your best bet for positive engagement and peace of mind knowing that when you put it in 4WD it actually is in 4WD and will stay there.

 

ok, i got a queston for you guys... i bought the posilock cable system, and i kept it in my truck for a while, i then around xmas time, and drove the truck back down to nc, and now i cant find the cable part of it... i still have the part that replaces the cad, the heat "shieth" even the stickers, but i cant find the cable... is there a place i can buy the new cable? cause my trucks 4wd light is on all the time, and i hate the vacumm.. even though it has not let me down yet... i dont want to be that day it doesnt work

 

Posi-Lok sells just a replacement cable. How you lost it is baffling, though.