I put 90,000 miles on my 03 2500 4x4 Hemi. Been a pretty good truck. Last week I started hearing a squeaking sound from under the bed. Figured it was the brakes. Put on new brake pads and noticed a 1/4" of the driveshaft coming out of the tranny was shinny. Thought that was weird and put it into 4H and back to 2H no problem. But it won't go forward into 4 neutral or 4L.

Tranny (automatic) shifts fine. Goes through all the gears into OD, downshifts when giving a little extra juice. But there's that squeak. Squeak stops if put the brakes on (that's why I thought it was the brakes). But I think it could be the u-joint? Don't know.

Another oddity, possibly electronic related is that it through an 02 sensor high voltage code after the brake pads. So I replaced both 02 sensors and engine light stayed on. Cleared the code, started the truck, and it lopes between 800 RPM and 300 RPM and will eventually die. Started it again, same lope, drop it into gear and idles smooth as could be. Put it in neutral, lopes bad again, put it in gear smoothes right out. Drives fine through all the gears, put it in neutral or park and bad loping. Engine light is off, stayed off the 20 mile ride back to the farm.

Gonna bring it to a trusted local shop. Wondering if I should just go strait to dealer. I'm original owner, I'm pretty sure '03's only have 70,000 drivetrain warranty. Anybody know when they offered the lifetime drivetrain warranty? Any ideas? Tranny fluid measures right (no leaks) and was changed at 30K and 60K miles.

Thanks,

Johnny

 

manual shift transfer case or electronic?

 

Manual shift on the floor for transfer case. Transmission itself is automatic.

Although I think there are some electronics involved somewhere. Almost wonder if I got a motor mount loose or something, but no clunks under acceleration or anything. Maybe a binding u-joint at the rear differential f'd the tranny? I'm just grasping at straws. MPG is same as it has been for years 12.5 mpg. The 02 sensors are probably unrelated, other than when I replaced them (Bosch) and cleared the codes, it started doing that crazy loping thing. Drove 20 miles to town with an occasional squeak, pulled into the O'Reilly lot and idled just fine. Cleared the code and engine is doing weird loping. So I believe 02 sensors are unrelated other than loping started when I cleared the codes.

 

did u put the transmission in neutral and apply the brake before trying to shift into 4L? you gotta put some meat behind it!

 

Gotta be moving at least 3mph when going into 4 low and ease into the gear, after first putting the main autobox into neutral.
Then when 4low engaged, put the main tranny back into drive.
Works 100% of the time with my 03 "shift on the floor" transfer case and is the method described in the manual.
Al.

 

Yeah, I've always had to be rolling for it to engage in 4wd. I have used 4L in the past, but with these new issues I can't get her in there.

 

thats odd mine wont engage 4L what-so-ever if the truck is moving at all

 

I know for sure I have to be rolling for it to go into 4H. Anywhere from 3mph to 45mph. 4L may be a different story.

Bringing it into the local shop today. They think it's probably the u-joint squeaking and they'll try to diagnose the computer to see about the idle issue. That's all over the phone of course.

Appreciate the advise. I'll post what comes out of it all.

Thanks again,

Johnny