So, I think I have a phantom 4WD light. It says 4WD is on, when I know its NOT. As in, I know its not engaged. Im thinking its either the light connection in the cluster bugging out, a fuse, or the wire or whatever that lets you know that 4WD is engaged is touching something or not where it is supposed to be...

Any thoughts? Its no big deal that it randomly comes on, although I was enjoying not having any lights on my cluster lol


Ohh..... and guess what happened to me today......... Some ******* decided to back into me or somethin and ****ed my rear wheel wells paint up and left two small dents. Didnt leave a not or anything. Im pretty pissed. I bought some auto spray paint and covered it up, but, man, it was lookin soo good! oh well

 

check the switch on the front axle, its on the passanger side next to the CAD(vacuum actuator).

 

That is GAY...sorry to hear that man...

 

the 4wd light is activated by a contact switch on the end of the cad. switch is available at most parts stores for under $20. light is activated by closing those 2 wires, so you could have wiring damage/short, so check carefully before spending money. the light problem is always at the cad or wiring near it, never in the cluster.

http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/4X4/4x4_engagment.htm

 

for what it's worth, I just had the same issue.. the light would come on when the 4wd was NOT engaged, but engage it and the 4wd indicator light went off- but it was in 4wd.. go figure..

I simply disconnected the battery post for a few minutes.. say, 20 or so.. and reconnected it and it was gone.. I haven't seen it do it since.. this was about two months ago.. I've used 4wd several times since and haven't had a problem..

I hate reacting to an issue and solving the symptoms instead of finding and resolving the problem, and intended to go back and figure out why this was happening. Since I haven't seen it since, it kinda slipped my mind until you just brought it up.

 

I was actually told I have a vacuum leak so thats why its causing the light to be on. But my light does the same thing, itll come on when Im not engaged, but it doesnt come one when Im engaged. It may come on(or flash on) then go away after awhile.

 

get the FSM from the merry christmas thread on here, and start checking wires, and rent a vacuum pump from advance, autozone, pep boys, napa, bennet, oreilys, or whatever other store you have around you.

start testing, youll figure it out, if its a vacuum leak causing it (which i highly doubt) youll see a the vacuum leak down on the gauge, however if you have ANY sort of vacuum leak this will happen.

youre better of starting on the electrical side of testing, since this system is so simple. its gonna be 1 of 2 things. A.)Bad 4WD Indicator switch, or B.) a wire shorting out somewhere.

the vacuum leak is not likely because vacuum is what causes the CAD to work, and if vacuum is not present it will not function, though its possible that lack of vacuum on 1 side could cause the CAD to engage the axle into 4wd, and turn the light on, but with what youre saying its seeming more like an electrical issue, since 4wd is not being engaged.

this could potentially be a 15 minute(no lie) repair(if its the switch itself thats bad)