Have a 2001 Dodge Ram, 318 - the 4-wheel drive is not working. I changed the actuator and it is getting vacuum. When you shift into 4WD, the shifter shifts into either high or low, the dashlights 4x4 come on, but the front tires will not spin..... the transfer case was low on fluid (filled it) - not sure if that would even matter

 

Front tires won't spin? How are you testing?

 

We still have some snow/ice on... initially I had drove on icy area.... when giving gas - back tires sit and spun on ice.... front did nothing..... we drove it on driveway... and turned front wheels all way one way then other - to try and get it to "grab".... and it just dont seem like it is and dont seem to be "pulling".....

 

Since there's a "we", get one who isn't driving to stand in a safe place and observe the fronts while you smack the go pedal hard enough to get spin on a low traction surface. If neither front spins while one rear does, then you have a problem. If one front spins, then you just aren't very perceptive, which is better than having a broken truck.

 

That is what I tried after changing the actuator.... put it on icy surface, hit gas and rear tires spun and spun.... neither front tire did nothing.....

 

Open up the CAD, and see what's going on there. The actuator is doing its job, the light tells you that, but, is the fork doing ITS job? Apparently not.

 

pull the CAD out and shift it and see if the fork moves over. make sure the fork was seated down in the shift collar, i have put one back in before and didnt get it on the collar.

 

Since replacing the actuator, had you assured yourself all the vac lines were intact (e.g., cracks, breaks, etc.)?

I'm not saying the CAD and related are the problem, but the vac system can just be a pain in the buttah. Is the HVAC working properly? If not, then that is a symptom that can contribute to the 4x4 engagement.

You got any jack stands? Have a floor jack?