Hello,

I was hoping you all could help me out with an issue I'm having with my 2001 Ram 1500.

The issue its having is that as I drive along at 25 mph or more, the '4x4' light on the dash flickers in and out. Sometimes it stays on a while, then I'll hit a bump and it'll go out, then it'll come back on a while, then go out... you get the picture.

I've searched this issue on these forums and others, and have replaced both the actuator on the top of the transfer case (the one with the 4 vacume lines coming out of it) and the actuator (indicator?) near the front diff. These repairs have made engaging four wheel drive easier, and though the 4x4 light worked well in the plot of dirt I was testing it in, it still flickers when driving at road speeds (in 2wd of course).

From what I have read on this forum at others, I would guess that my issue is now a vacume leak somewhere in that rats nest... so I come here asking two questions:

1.) Am I correct in thinking I have a vacume leak?
2.) Has anyone replaced the neccessary vacume line(s) to stop the 4x4 indicator from flickering? Have a diagram of the lines, or advice for someone looking to do this? Please?

Any help on this would be much appreciated - and at this point I should thank this forum for its collective expertise - through simply reading old threads I have been able to sort a lot of odds and ends on my truck!

Thanks !

 

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm

 

I thought i was having this problem too until i realized that he "low wash" light is right beside the "4x4" light and the are the same exact color....... Mine is a 97 and im not sure changed this in 98 with the rest of the interior. But just thought i would throw this out there, and if it dont apply to you it may help someone else, it can be real easy to overlook this kinda stuff.

 

disconnect the elec connector on the drivers end of the cad. spray it out with wd40 or brake cleaner and get out all the mud and sand and dirt. let dry. reassemble clean or with some dielectric grease and see if it works any better.

if so, you're done. if not, dig into the vac leaks.


edit, you can easily test the vac line with a gauge. test idle vac on any one of the vac lines on the manifold. should be something like 15-20. label your vac lines at the cad, and then disconnect them and measure them in 2wd and 4wd. one should have the EXACT same vac in 2wd and the other should have the same when in 4wd. if not, solve the vac leak. if so, your problem is not vac.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman17

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

I had forgotten about that site - its a great resource; thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpcD1500

I thought i was having this problem too until i realized that he "low wash" light is right beside the "4x4" light and the are the same exact color....... Mine is a 97 and im not sure changed this in 98 with the rest of the interior. But just thought i would throw this out there, and if it dont apply to you it may help someone else, it can be real easy to overlook this kinda stuff.

I wish that were the case… I even double-checked! But nope, definitely 4x4…

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhvaughan

disconnect the elec connector on the drivers end of the cad. spray it out with wd40 or brake cleaner and get out all the mud and sand and dirt. let dry. reassemble clean or with some dielectric grease and see if it works any better.

I'm going to try these suggestions this weekend - thank you !




Thanks, everyone for your help! I'll post back after I have another go at fixing it this weekend...

LastV8

 

Vac. lines replaced - problem solved!

Thanks, everyone!


LastV8