I just bought a 98 ram 1500 4x4.I tried the 4 wheel drive today and it does not engage.
The front driveshaft is locking in but the frontend does not lock.Has anybody had this problem?
What do I need to check?
Thanks

 

Common Problem Areas:

The vacuum lines running to the CAD housing on the front axle. They can often rub on the frame and develop leaks.

The vacuum switch on the top of the transfer case.

The vacuum lines on the transfer case. They can sometimes slip off. Mine did that this winter when the ice/snow built up on them.

The vacuum operated diaphram on the CAD housing on the front axle.

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Is the 4wd light on the dash lighting up at all?

One thing you can try is shifting it into 4wd, and then shifting the transmission into reverse and backing up just to see if it will engage.

The problem with some trucks is that the owners never put them in 4wd, and diaphram gets stiff/hard. That's why it specifies in the owners manual that you should put it in 4wd ONCE PER MONTH and take it for a drive on a dirt/gravel/sandy road or other surface that isn't hard like concrete or black-top.

 

I had the same problem on my ran shortly after I had my ramzilla trans installed, thought maybe the t-case went bad, turned out the vac line from the case to the axle got melted on the exhast manifold leaking not allowing vacuum to pass in the line, I would start by clearly checking all your vacume lines, next step is the front axle, if not there then t-case, check least expensive to most expensive is my motto.........

 

The 4x4 light does not come on.I have tried it in 4hi and 4lo and I tried backing up.
I checked the vac lines but didnt find any loose, broke or melted.
If you unhook the line from the frontend and put the t-case in 4hi would you be able to feel the vac on the lines?
Thanks

 

I'd get a vacuum tester and check for vacuum at the CAd unit. If theres vacuum there the cad unit is probably bad. Lst time I took one apart they looked REALLY chinsey in there.

 

I would say the vaccum diaphram on the axle. Does it make a grinding noise when you put it in 4hi and spin the tires. Im not sure if they run them but if its a chain drive transfer case the chain could be stretched or broke.
Jared

 

wait did you just buy the truck today? or just tested the 4X out today... how long ago did you buy it? if it hasnt been too long id take that thing back to the dealer and bitch at them... its one thing if youve owned it for a year or so but if you just bought it last week thats bull****....

 

I just bought the truck Fri. from a private owner.I dont think he used the 4 wheel drive,he was the second owner.I should have checked the 4wd,thats my fault
I am not fussing,I dont think it is any thing major,plus I think I got a good deal.
98 ram 1500 quadcab
4x4 360 auto 110,000 miles
Leather inter.power seates,wood grain dash,all power and new tires
I paid 5800 for it.
I have not found anyother problems so far.

 

aahhh ... i see now... yea sounds like a great deal!

as far as the CAD system... you could dl that merrychristmas sticky at the top of the thread and check out what ihas to say in there... its mainly for a 2000 but in the 4X4 section of the pdf theres troubleshootin tips that might point you in a good direction

 

I am happy with the truck so far. For the price I didnt expect it to be perfect.
Truck prices are crazy.I looked at a 97 ram quadcab 4x4 with 180,00 miles.They wanted 6000 firm,so I was very happy when I found this one.
Thanks for the replies
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