when i put it into 4 hi or low the rear end engages but the front doesnt. the front drive shaft spins and makes no noise at all. if a gear was stripped out or something it would make a noise but it doesnt. wat could this be and how do i fix it? im new to diesels so im not really familiar with vacuum lines and all that good stuff. please help i need it ASAP winter is coming very fast up in the the E.U.P of Michigan. TXT ME ALSO! this is urgent! 1 (906) 440 4118

 

I know this doesn't help, But I'm curious. Says ur truck is a 98? Dodge didn't start making that style sport package until '99....Is it a 99 year model?

 

Does the 4x4 lite in the dash come on?

 

no its a 98 sport slt laramie

no the 4x4 light doesnt come on

ALSO another thing. the wait to start light doesnt show up. and at night u kno how u can see all the other lights..well i dont even see a wait to start light..

i just bought this truck a month ago. only as 112k on it.

 

Check the vacuum lines from the transfer case, to the CAD unit on the front axle. There are a pair of steel lines that run along the frame rail on the passenger side (along with some hose...) that like to rust out.

 

They did not make a sport edition with your style bumper in 1998. If you swear its a 1998, than someone modified your front bumper so that a 1999-2001 sport bumper would fit. Thats not the factory bumper, nor the factory headlights. (Looks good though. )

Back to the question at hand... I agree with HeyYou. Check the vacuum lines.

 

ya i kno its a newer style bumper and the headlights are aftermarket. i realized the bumper was added on when the fog lights didnt have a switch for them. they do now tho.

ok so the vacuum lines are the red and black plastic lines that connect to metal lines and that run from the actuator to the top of the transfer case right? i had a mechanic at work check the vacuum and he said that in 4x4 in drive while revving it up ..there was no vacuum that he could feel. but in 2wd in drive revving it up ..there was little vacuum. how in the hell does that make sense? shouldnt there be vacuum in 4x4 if there is in 2wd?

 

There are two seperate lines there, one engages the front axle, the other one disengages it. If there is vacuum in 2wd, but none in 4wd, then you just need to follow the line back to the T-case, and find the break. Fix it, and you should have four wheel drive then.

 

thanks alot! sounds simple enough. ill do that tomorrow. but why is the light not turning on? is there a sensor in the front axle?

 

contact switch in the end of the cad housing. switch is easily replaceable, but usually the problem is either wires torn off or mud in the elec connector. spray wd40 in the elec socket to clean the mud out.