I have a 2005 Ram 1500 4WD. Does not get driven much, mainly pulls a boat in the summer, and for bad days in winter. The past couple of winters, when I take it out of 4WD, it may take anywhere between a half mile and two miles to physically come out, and when it does, it does with a loud thud. The 4WD indicator light had quit working as well.

Had the transfer case replaced, and it solved nothing. In fact it may be worse. The first time you put it in and take it out it will work fine, after that, it will not come out. The indicator light was part of the new transfer case and it will show it coming out, put it does not physically pull out of 4WD.

The Dodge dealership made the repair and I have since returned it, and driven with a tech to show him. He said he can't explain it, and thinks it just needs "worn in". B.S.

If I put it in reverse and drive at least ten feet, it will come out. If I come to a stop sign, it may come out. Stopping and turning the truck off is the only way to get it out of 4WD for sure. The tech says there is nothing electrical that has to do with the 4WD. Additionally, when in 4WD it pulls hard to the right. Tech said that is normal too.

All he is telling me is B.S., because the truck never performed like this for the first five years I had it.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

I hate to say it but "if you don't use it, you lose it". Just be thankful you don't have to go out side and lock/unlock your hubs. Same thing happened to me when I moved to FL w/ my 2004 4x4 Dakota barely used it in 4wd but when I did I had to stop and or back up to makesure that it disengaged. The hubs are the problem.

 

Any other thought on this? It's been three weeks since I had the transfer case replaced.

It's about a 50-50 thing on if it comes out of 4WD when I shift it out. Also, when it does come out, it's with a loud thump, like the front axle is coming off. Really frustrated.

 

Hubs... sounds like they are not auto disengaging (or engaging maybe) properly. Take it to a 4x4 shop, the guys at most dealerships barely know how to follow the instruction book they are given. This is probably too much for them to figure out. They already soaked you for a not needed transfer case. How much more you want them to "fix" for you?

 

I'll buy that. It's just as good an answer as any. Just for clarification, the transfer case was replaced under the extended drivetrain warranty. I had to pay the $100 deductable.

I took it back to the dealership a couple of days ago. They called to say they couldn't figure it out and have calls in to Chrysler looking for help. They're supposed to get back with me today.????

On the way to the delaership, just for kicks, I put it in 4WD and took it out 50' later. It would not come out. I stopped at two stop signs and even put it in park, after a mile and a half it would not come out. I pulled over, put it in park, AND turned the truck off. It still would not come out. After another two miles I put it in park again at a stop sign and it finally popped out.

 

Had a phone message from the service department yesterday regarding my truck. They can't find anything wrong with it so they had some calls into Chrysler to see if they could figure out what's wrong with it.

They must not have known either because I had a new message today that they can't find anything wrong with it and that it is operating correctly. ???

I hate to say it because this is a Dodge forum, but after five Chrysler vehicles and major problems with each, you couldn't give me another one.

BTW, this is at Salem Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Salem, OH.

 

I would still try to find a local 4 X 4 shop. Those guys tend to be more experienced with 4WD vehicles, and might have some ideas just by talking to you.

 

Blaze,

Contact the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center directly if the dealer is not resolving your issue. They can get a Chrysler tech involved to resolve the problem. I highly doubt the dealer talked to a Chrysler tech and they indicated there is no problem with the symptoms as you described. My question to the dealer would be, if that was normal why did they replace it in the first place? Assistance Center numbers are below.

800-992-1997 United States
800-465-2001 Canada

 

At least its under warranty for that xfer case.... If you can, take a mechanic for a drive and demonstrate the issue for them. Once they see/experience it, then they have to try and find it. They may not "know" how to replicate it. Even the best shops can't always get it to do what you do... if that makes sense? It may involve a bit of your time to get there when they are able to ride with you, but it sounds like that is what you'll need to do to help them along.
I've had to do that a time or 2 to get the tech to see the problem. Of course, this sounds like it should be easy enough for them to see.
Maybe they are only going by the dashboard indicator? That only says the computer is trying to (or thinks) it has actuated the transfer case solenoid. Doesn't mean the hubs released or engaged.

 

The first time I took it back I did ride with a tech. When it wouldn't come out he said he had no explanation for why it was doing it. He's the one that told that may be it just needed to "wear in". That sound real assuring. He said if it didn't improve, he would simply put another new transfer case in, it was no sweat off of him, that Chrysler was footing the bill. I'm blown away by the whole experience.