Hi everyone,
I got a problem with my 2006 dakota trx4 V8 slt crewcab, About a year ago I notice the 4x4 works sometime and sometimes it don't. I did not bother to fix it because it did work most of the time but after a long ride in the past 6months it would not engage but on colder mornings it would engage weird..But if i keep it in 4x4 for a long drive and switch it back it will not disengage. The next morning I would try it and it worked agaain...When it don't work You can hear it trying to engage 3-4 times with blinking lights on the dash then the lights goes out. Switch it back to 2wd no lights and back to 4hi then it starts blinking again for a few sec 5-10 and you still can hear the transfer case motor trying to engage.
Last fall i was offroad and i never had the truck in 4wd and i got stuck on in the mud for 2 hours after a while I manage to get out in 2wd and the next day when I started the truck I tried the 4x4 and it worked, boy was I pissed!!!!
So if the motor is trying to engage what could be the problems, bad transfer case motor, possible ground wire connection, or vacumm. I heard alot about vacuum but I have no clue about where to look for a vaccum even if it has a vacuum on the newer models. Please I need help!!!! thanks

 

I would try disconnecting the battery. I had a problem one time in 6 years with the 4wl not disengaging. I disconnected the battery and never had the problem since. I would double check the connections between the switch harness and t-case motor harness as well.

 

thanks but I tried that, had the battery off for 10 mins or more, checked fuses, try to check wire kinda hard lol, what I found weird before it would go in 4x4 mostly in the morning but then after a ride it will not most time but sometime it do. now the past week it will not go in 4x4 at all but you can hear the motor trying to engage, it makes a few trys then stops trying and 4x4 blinking light goes off. it will not lock (or go solid).

 

update..
putt in 4x4 2 days ago went in fine, urn to off working in put it in 4low work fine, then tried to put back in 2wd did not, stuck in 4low!!!!!
so i was lock in 4low for the day and stumped on what to do so the next morning tried it and it came out.
So today i tried it again and it worked perfect for most of the day , I must of tried it about 10 times during then day and worked. But then tonight i put it in 4x4 and now it is stuck there again will not come out.
The only thing i tried i took the battery off for a hour afew days ago.
So what could be the problem it seems like there is not enough power to the transfer case motor you can hear it trying to engage but it just dont sound right but when it do engages it sounds like there is more power and it shifts a little louder. is there any way to see if it getting enough power, . any help please thanks....

 

I have not checked yet, but if we do, start by replacing the relay. It could be a sticking armature.

 

ChadObrien,

Have you checked to see if there are any outstanding recalls on your Dakota.

If you'd like me to look into this for you Please PM me your VIN# or you can review online at:
- http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/dodge/index.jsp
- select "I need RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION INFORMATION."