It fits onto the transfer case motor of my '05 Dakota.

 

har red thing is a safety clip. You have to use a flat blade screwdriver and slide it backwards, iirc.

 

Thanks for your response. I was able to move the red thing "up and down" but the connection is firmly connected regardless of the position of the red thing. Can't see the other side.

Bob

 

Once you slide the red locking tab out you should be able to squeeze the connector in the spot the tab was covering.
Pull out on the connector as you're squeezing.
For what it's worth I tried cleaning mine with contact cleaner but it did not help.
Ordered a motor from rockauto and paid a local transmission shop $100 to swap it out.
He said he had to pull the front driveshaft in order to remove it.

 

Thanks Atlantic...you've figured out that I have the "Svc 4WD" light on the dash. From what I've read fixes have included one guy who cleaned the connector, one guy replaced a control module, and one guy replaced the transfer case motor. The one thing in common is the electrical connector was disconnected in each "fix". So thought I'd try to clean it first...same logic you probably used.

I'm surprised replacing the motor fixed it for you. What in the motor would cause it to engage without being commanded??

You've answered another question...do I need to pull the front driveshaft to R&R the motor...looked like the answer was yes...but glad it's confirmed.

Bob

 

mine does it all the time, I just pulled the T Case fuse until I'm able to crawl under truck and replace the motor assembly, also check the wiring under truck, some have stated that the wire rubs against the drive shaft.

 

In my case the motor started acting up as soon as I got home from a car wash.
Some water must have gotten inside and messed up the electronics.
I shut the truck off and could hear the motor making noises intermittently.

 

OK thanks guys....I hadn't thought about water intrusion into the motor itself.

Today the light didn't come on until I'd driven the truck about 11 miles. Then after having lunch it came on about 3 miles after that engine start...which has been typical. Doesn't seem like water...it isn't raining.

I dunno what to replace...first thing is to get the connector off...look for wire damage, a couple of gallons of electrical contact cleaner and reassemble...

Not gonna be able to do anything for a couple of weeks so...will advise later.

Bob

 

Rumor is there is an internal short in the transfer case shift motor, which were supposedly made in China.