Hello,

I purchased an '05 Dakota 3 days ago, and due to issues with delivery and other BS I took possession of it yesterday night. I was trying to get the truck into 4WD, and don't know how. It does not have the standard switch that turns from one position to another. It has 2 Switches, both labeled 4hi, 4lo, on the center console. When I engage these switches I get no indicator on the instrument disply that the trucks switched over. The lights on the switches work, but no other indication. I bought the truck because I wanted a 4WD, and if it doesn't work I need to pay them a visit. I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something first. It has the Laramie package if that makes a difference. PLEASE HELP

 

Look at the 4WD fuse...

 

I'm not sure why you have 2 switches, there should be only one 4WD switch.

Can you post a picture of the switches? We'll help you out the best we can.

And Welcome to DF.

 

This should be moved out of the general discussion section

Anyways, I think he means that his 4WD **** has TWO locations.

You can only go into 4wd LO in park. Maybe neutral cannot remember.

4wd HI should go in at any location up to 55MPH

I would stop and have a visit at the place you bought the truck.

 

welcome to the forum. I remember when I first got mine, I was playing around with the 4wd **** because I had never had a vehicle with a ****, only a transfer case lever, anyway, I got mine into 4 lo and for the life of me could not get it out. I panicked. Thought something was totally screwed up. But, I read the owners manual. There is a certain sequence you have to go through in order to engage 4x4, or release 4x4. Now, I dont know if your having the same kind of problem, but read the owners manual about using 4wd. Eimer stated one method. In my truck, what I do that works for me is coming to a complete stop and putting the truck in neutral. switching the **** to 4-hi and waiting for the dash light to come on. You can also here the servo or whatever it is switching. Once in 4-hi, I can go to 4-lo from there, still in neutral. Try it in neutral and listen for the servo. If you dont hear anything, I would then suspect a fuse or other problem.

 

4-low needs a special procedure, going from 2wd to 4-hi shouldn't though. I've never done anything special for that. (On a side note 4-hi works well for getting the jump on someone at a light )