Sorry if this has been asked before but I haven’t seen anything about this specific issue. I noticed a clunking noise while in 4x4 and thought it was a bad u-joint but took it in for a diagnostic and the shop said it was fine. A few days later the clunking stopped and my 4x4 stopped working completely. I’m sort of lost on where to look now. Thank you for any help!

 

What are you driving?

 

Sorry definitely should’ve mentioned that. 2001 Ram 1500 SLT. I’m new to the whole forum thing.

 

Everyone was new at one point.

Does the light in the dash not come on? T-case is shifted manually, and it's pretty stiff..... at least, mine is. So, easy to tell if that's doing what it should, or not. Also, are you pulling it back toward the seat one notch to engage 4x4? (patterns changed over time, so, just checking. ) If everything else seems ok, (just not getting the lite) probably just a vacuum problem. Here is a pretty good explanation of how it works.

 

The dash light does come on. I’ve pulled it back into 4 Hi and pushed it forward into 4 Lo and the light still comes on. I’ll definitely have to check the vacuum lines though. Thank you!

 

If the lite goes on/off when it should, vacuum system is working right.

Try this, start it up, put it in 4x4, wait for the lite to come on. Give it another minute, then, shut the truck off. (leaving it in 4x4) jack up the passenger front tire, then try and turn it by hand. You shouldn't be able to.

 

I’m guessing if it does move that’s something more serious like transfer case or differential?

 

More likely something in the central axle disconnect (CAD). Lots o' little stuff to go wrong in there. Typically just when you most need it to work.

 

Sweet I’ll look into it. And yep, driving in the winter in Alaska in 2wd isn’t the greatest.

 

Now there is an understatement......