I have a 1998 ram 1500 and when putting it in 4x4 the light doesnt light up in the dash and its not engaging it engages and the light is illuminated after a few mins of driving any idea on were to start to look to figure this out thks

 

I would first check the vacuum lines going to the actuator. There are little rubber boots where they connect and mine cracked and came off due to age.

 

Also could be the main line coming from the motor

 

thks guys

 

Not to mention the steel lines that run between the t-case and axle like to rust out.

 

Or rust in and block the vac.

 

Get rid of the whole system and put in a Perm-Lok and never have to worry about "will it engage or not" again. It involves a sliding collar to permanently connect your two axle shafts on the long side to one.

4x4 Posi-Lok Positive Axle Engagement System for Dodge 4x4s (4x4posi-lok.com)

Think about it... Jeep TJs don't have the two-piece axle up front. Nor do the Jeep ZJs, or JKs, or JTs. They have a solid one-piece axle shaft on both sides. I put the perm-lok in mine (part #1100) and never looked back. And I have a True-Trac in my front axle - no issues with it being permanently locked (Perm-Lok).

Bypass Transfer Case Vacuum Switch -- Feedback - Page 2 - DodgeForum.com

$87.00 at Summit Racing: 4x4 Posi-Lok 1100 4x4 Posi-Lok Perm-Lok Systems | Summit Racing

 

i watched a short video of how to do that just by moving the horse shoe clip then sliding the rod thru and putting the clip back on the opposite side