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4wd not engaging for the second time

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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 10:47 AM
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Default 4wd not engaging for the second time

Hey guys,
This morning my 4wd did not want to engage, which would have meant I was not taking my truck to work today. I happened one other time, it was very cold out and had been sitting for a couple days so I thought it was just a one time incident. The truck was in the garage overnight last night so temperature should not have been an issue.
It has been working well otherwise. I kept trying 4 hi to 4 lo, was about to give up and tried one more time, it decided to work and I took off.
I don't know much about the way this 4wd system operates, have only owned this truck since January. It this a common failure with an easy solution?
Thanks.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 01:23 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

do a search here on posi lok.it might just solve all your trouble.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2007 | 09:49 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

You needed Lo-Lock? For what?
 
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 10:43 AM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

I needed 4hi to get out of my driveway, was trying 4low also since 4hi did not want to engage, just trying to get some kind of 4wd. My driveway is a fairly steep hill when leaving and is crushed stone based, it was pretty icy yesterday morning on it and I couldnt even make it 1/4 of the way up it in 2wd.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 10:54 AM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

What isn't locking - the front axle or the transfer case? The front axle is engaged by a vacuum modulator on the front axle. Check the vacuum lines running to it to make sure there are no cracks or breaks. There should be plenty of info on here about that issue. Forum search for "4wd not engaging" or something similar.....

Edit - I see that you have a 2002 - which is a "3rd gen" truck. You might want to post your questionon the 3rd gen site- as I'm not sure if that is the same setup as a "2nd gen".....
 
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 01:39 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

I consider my truck a second generation, so have been posting on this forum. The 2500 and 3500 for 2002 remained the old bodystyle, only the 1500 was updated to the third gen. for 2002. I did see a post or two on the 3rd gen forum from people with trucks like mine, but I really don't see mine as a 3rd gen truck.
I'm also not sure yet what was not engaging, only that my 4wd light would notcome on, and I was spinning like crazy in my driveway. I have the next couple days off and will get under there and check out the vacuum lines.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 04:13 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

Sorry - I forgot the 2500 kept the same body as an '01...

Here is the link for a whole bunch of info on your question:
https://dodgeforum.com/searchpro.asp...bmitbutton=+OK+
 
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Old Mar 11, 2007 | 06:54 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

That is a lot of information - thank you! I will let you know how it turns out.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2007 | 08:50 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

How long were you waiting for the 4WD light to come on? Sometimes mine takes 20-25 seconds to engage ... sometimes it does it pretty quick. The fact that you got into 4x4 at all (finally) seems to rule out any real problem. Some trucks just take longer than others.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2007 | 09:16 PM
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Default RE: 4wd not engaging for the second time

happened to me acouple times too.. i had to leave it in 4hi and drive around for acouple minutes and around 25 mph for it to finally engage.. but ever since then its been working fine
 
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