I just got this truck.. 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9l 4x4 Automatic 4dr. The Transfer Case remains engaged all the time in 4x4, and the light on the dash says it is in 4x4.. I have shifted it any way possible, forward and reverse, nothing. The front axle isnt locked in 4x4, just the transfer Case. Any clues as to what may cause this? I am a complete idiot about this stuff, as my work involves motor parts and body parts, not tranny/transfer case/4x4 stuff.. Thanks a bunch!

 

This is all you need to know. http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm

 

Checking it out now. Thanks a bunch!

 

I know I am way late, but Im still lost here.. I checked the page.. just lifted the truck.. All the hoses have vacuum.. Now, In 4x4, the front wheel still turns, no matter what 4x4 gear I am in.. The driveshaft, however, turns if the front wheel turns.. No matter what gear its in.. I am replacing u joints on the front axle, checked the u joint on the front of the front drive shaft, and it is SHOT. Seals fell out, and it clanks, BAD.. (I actually heard it, thinkng it was the axle u joints.. even those are bad, but not like this) Anyway, after messing around with it, I turned the wheel, and for the first time, the front drive axle did NOT turn... So finally, ( I hope) the transfer case is disengaged, In 2wh.. Anyone have a similar issue,? Surely the u joint being bad and still turning doesnt cause the whole 4x4 to mess up?

 

The lite doesn't care what the t-case is doing, it simply indicates that the front axle is locked. (CAD unit.) I would suspect that your CAD isn't "D"ing.

 

The light I have learned to completely ignore now.. It just caught my attention that the front drive shaft is turning with my front wheels in two wheel drive.. and yet in 4x4 the front axles never lock.. and even with the front drive shaft turning, which it just stopped, the wheels still turn freely when it is in 4x4.. if that makes sense.. Up until now, the front drive shaft has always been engaged since the day I bought it..

 

"all the hoses have vacuum" You mean at the same time? Or the vac switches from one hose to the other when you put the TC in 2wd or 4wd?

 

The vac switches from one hose to the other, after shifting from 4x4 to 2x4.. the only thing I can manage to get is when I put the transfer case in neutral, it really is in neutral..

 

I'd take the CAD off and make sure one of the two shafts are not burred and the collar slides freely back and forth over each shaft. Also , make sure the intermediate shaft bushing/needle bearing is not worn and has all kinds of free play. There is also a composite bushing that goes in the end of the outer axle shaft where it joins the intermediate shaft. If you have taken the axle shaft out to do ujoints or the seal, that little bushing sometimes falls out. There are also two composite pads that go on the end of the shift fork. If they are worn and/or missing, that will also create a problem.

 

it sounds like your vac hoses at the cad are reversed.
vac on one in 4wd pulls the collar over towards the drivers side to engage axle.
vac on the other in 2wd pulls the collar toward passenger side to disengage.

if not already, put it up on at least front jack stands, crank truck and test it. 4 jack stands are better.