2001 dodge ram 1500 4wd 5.9gas

so I’m having a bit of an issue I’ve noticed when I placed my truck into four-wheel-drive. I get a gear whine and a little bit of a hesitation and then it won’t easily go back into 2wd. And then when it’s in four-wheel-drive, it just doesn’t seem like it’s acting properly.
I did make sure that my fluids in my transfer case as well as my front differential are correct level as well as I change the fluid entirely in my transfer case with atf+4

And I checked my vacuum lines and from what I can tell, they all appear to be in good shape so I’m thinking it might be my vacuum actuator. What are you all think ?

 

Does the 4x4 lite in the dash come on? If so, the vacuum system is working. It may take it a few seconds to engage, but, that's the nature of the beast.

A bit more noise if 4x4 is also normal.

Could you clarify 'doesn't seem like it's acting properly'? It WILL drive different in 4x4.... and if you try that on a high traction surface, yeah, that's gonna be interesting. (not a good plan.....)

 

It seems to have a high gear wine, similar to how it sounds in low gear. Which I don’t recall being the same sound it used to previously. I found that I have to change it between neutral and 2 Wheel Dr. multiple times To get it to be able to disengage to go back into 2 Wheel Dr. It doesn’t automatically seem to go when you transition four-wheel-drive high to 2 Wheel Dr. high.

As for the four-wheel drive indicator light, it does turn on, but will also stay on in 2 Wheel Dr. on those times that it chooses to not disengage

 

Is it difficult to shift? Or does the lite in the dash stay on for longer than you think it should?

 

It does not seem to be difficult shifting, but the four-wheel drive indicator light does stay on in 2 Wheel Dr.
Even if I drive it around the block it’s still reacts like the four-wheel drive is still engaged even though the actual shifter is placed in 2 Wheel Dr.

 

That just means the front axle is still locked. They aren't actually driving anything, and it probably does change the steering feel, but, if you drive in a straight line, and just kinda rock the steering back and forth a bit, it'll help it disengage. Also probably wouldn't hurt to check for vacuum leaks. Make sure you have good vacuum at the actuator, so it can work properly.

 

Yeah, but that’s the thing like I would still have the gear whine and it would drive like it was in four-wheel-drive even though the shifter was placed in 2 Wheel Dr. and I would literally drive it around the block and it would stay that way until I had to move the shifter to multiple different positions and then eventually it would go back into 2 Wheel Dr. And it definitely never gave me this problem before. And then 2 Wheel Dr. I don’t have the gear whine

 

If the front axle is still locked together, all that front driveline stuff is still turning, it just isn't powered, and front/rear are not locked together. You likely have a vacuum problem. Either a leak somewhere, and there are a LOT of opportunities for that.... a bad switch, or a failing diaphragm on the actuator. On my truck, the front axle will engage/disengage within a few seconds of moving the shift lever. Yours isn't. Vacuum problem.

 

Thank you, I’ll go on the hunt

 

Steel lines between switch and axle like to rust out. Either that, or collect moisture, and if it gets below freezing, no 4wd for you. (ask me how I learned that one......)