WEIRD 4x4 problem here with a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins -

Shift transfer case into 4Hi, dash light comes on, no 4x4. I checked and i have proper vacuum at the disconnect with truck running; still running i go and pull the dissconnect of axle, keeping the lines connected, and sure enough the axle are locked together. Put it back together, still in 4Hi but no power on front wheels.

I'm stuck, only thing i can think of is the transfer case in messed up some how, but no noise or anything strange that i can see.

 

Put the truck in 4x4, wait for the lite to come on. Shut off the engine. Jack up the passenger front wheel. Try and turn it by hand. Can you?

 

Yes the wheel will turn....that is why i thought it was the actuator, and installed a new one. However, after isntalling it - put truck in 4hi, nothing to front wheels. left truck running. pulled actuator out and axles were locked together. further tested it by shifting t-case and the actuator worked fine. Put it all together, and still nothing to front wheels. This is why i am stumped.

 

When your turned that front wheel, did the driveshaft spin as well?

 

When did you buy the truck? Snapped an axle at the ring gear. Or the teeth are gone from the pinion and ring gear. Snapped it at the wheel hub. Does the axle spin when both axles are locked together? Throwing ideas out there. Take the cover off the front diff and see if there is any damage.

 

That i don't recall....I will check it out again in the morning and get back to you

 

Hope its warmer where you are there here.... They are calling for 5 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow.

 

You can remove vacuum CAD and leave t-case in 2hi. Slide collar by hand so shafts lock together. With LF wheel on ground or u-joint bound with a pry bar, elevate RF and spin the front d/s by hand.

If it doesn't force right shaft to turn, then yeah, something's broken.