My front end will not engage in 4wd.I do have foward and reverse in hi and low so I no its not the transfer case.My truck uses the vacum operated motor to engage the front axles so what parts usually go first on these dohickys?And my dash light does not come on.

 

Since the 4WD light isn't coming on, sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Check the vacuum lines for any cracks/splits/etc.

 

I had the same problem with my 98 Ram 4x4 in December of 03. The vacuum line from the actuator goes from the front axle along the passenger side frame rail, and attaches near the transfer case (only to go from there back forward to the engine). The vacuum fitting at the transfer case came off (with a resultant noise and crappy engine performance too).

I got so mad having to climb under there to find it (bad winter, lots of snow and mud around), that I promptly got rid of the actuator and put in a manual actuator in its place. One side benefit to this is that if I might need to, I can now run in 2WD LO. Great for pulling a drag on the acreage up here.

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