The last 2 times I have put my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 into 4X4 it has not wanted to go back into 2 wheel drive, The Shifter moves back into the 2wheel drive positions easily but the 4x4 light stays on and it stays in 4 wheel drive, I will drive a little bit and eventually it will go back into 2 wheel drive.... I have tried putting the truck in nuetral and 4low and then back into 2wheel drive with no luck, Please help

 

I am not familiar with that year but, if Dodge still uses the vacuum servo to engage the 4wd, then the vacuum hoses would be the first place to look. Ever try slipping the tranny into neutral, or reverse for a fews seconds after disengaging the transfer case? Maybe even roll back a few inches? I spent about 4 hours one day and replaced every inch of vacuum hose on my truck. MAJOR DIFFERENCES in reaction times to think like axle engagement, switching air flow from say, vent to defrost. It's something to check. If you have a hand pump like a MityVac style, then it take about 30 seconds to check vacuum. Good luck.

 

Yes, the first time it happened I put it into reverse and went back a little and it disengaged, when it happened today I tried putting it in neutral but nothing changed, I drove for a minute then started to stop so I could try the reverse thing and it disengaged as I stopped. What should I look for with the vacuum lines? cracked or broken ones?

Thanks

 

Slipping it into reverse usually does the trick for my truck.

 

Your CAD unit on your axle probably has a vacuum leak. This could be on the unit itself or on one of the lines going to/from it. The 4 wd indication light is not attached to the t-cause, so if you shift the t-case into 2 wd, your gonna be in 2 wd. The front axle will stay locked though, and that is what the light is actually hooked to. When the axle is locked and you turn a corner you will feel the front axle bind (its actually the axle u-joints) and thats probably why you think its still in 4wd.

 

yea sounds like the its not disengageing all the way, be like me and make your own posi

 

I'm pretty sure it was still in 4X4 cause when I got back on the pavement I felt the extra load and stopped and floored it from the stop and the back tires did not spin as they always do. I guess tomorrow I will get under there and look at all the vacuum lines. Thanks for the help

 

if its feels like theres extra drag and if it turns without binding up its definatly the transfercase is still engaged and the cad isnt. if it does bind then the either its in 4wd and the front is locked. it will also bind if only the front axle is locked. wait im going to go try that right now.

***edit- yea it binds up. doesnt seam as bad as while in 4wd but it does bind.