Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 4x4 not working????

[edgeman]

I have a 95 4x4 and the other day at work we had a snowstorm. I put the truck in fourwheel drive to go up a hill and it went in fine(little bit of a clunk). As i got up the hill i took it out of 4x4 and proceded to drive. Well go figure i need it again so i pull it back to 4x4 and it clucks in ( truck is in nuetral) and i inch forward only to have it clunk 3 more times the next 6ft. After the third clunk there was no 4x4 the front wheels didnt do a thing. I got the truck to go about 6ft and it went back in to fourwheel drive, only to have it come right back out. It still wont go into fourwheel drive and im not sure what is wrong with it. I was thinking the acuator fork in the front axle but am not sure. Any help would be great. Snow is melting and it is muddy in my drive way.

 

[WPeschel]

There are vacuum hoses that run from the transfercase to the front axle... I would check to make sure that they are in tact and not corroded or leaking... Just thinking out loud...

 

[edgeman]

would that also make the 4x4 indacator light not come on also.

 

[WPeschel]

Not 100% sure on that one... I would almost gurantee it though... Just check them I know other pple that drive in snow/salty conditions have had problems with the lines rusting...

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I would say that it is the vaccumm hoses too and that if you have a leak you probably would not have your 4x4 indicator light working either

 

[Ahopper]

last week when i was off road the truck would not come out of 4x4 all the way it seemed. the light was off then came back on and then off. it ended up beeing a slightly cracked vacum line. id check the lines first and then mabey your linkage?

 

[edgeman]

ok i wil check the lines and thanks for all your help.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Edgeman I don't have your signature but am guessing if your setup standard then yes, if the vacuum motor can't slide the coupling sleeve ALL THE WAY the 4X4 light wouldn't light reliably (blinks, on/off with accel. ??) as the shaft slides , butting against the switch pin and closing it is the last movement. Seems like alot of shift motor problems in the posts—corrosion, etc. I have noticed IMHO Dodge messed up by having the relief line (which relieves the 'dead' side of the vacuum motor) down near the road slop. I moved mine up behind the firewall/hood gasket so only drier air is inducted.

 

[edgeman]

Edgeman I don't have your signature but am guessing if your setup standard then yes, if the vacuum motor can't slide the coupling sleeve ALL THE WAY the 4X4 light wouldn't light reliably (blinks, on/off with accel. ??) as the shaft slides , butting against the switch pin and closing it is the last movement. Seems like alot of shift motor problems in the posts—corrosion, etc. I have noticed IMHO Dodge messed up by having the relief line (which relieves the 'dead' side of the vacuum motor) down near the road slop. I moved mine up behind the firewall/hood gasket so only drier air is inducted.

So are you saying also that it is vacum lines having a crack or the plastic caps on the acuator fork. When i took a closer look at the actuator fork again today i noticed that the plastic caps at the very ends of the forks ar both missing (one on each end of the fork). Now i have been told that this will not allow it to go into fourwheel drive all the way (going in and out of fourwheel drive). On my dads 96 he had the same problem when he had someone look at it they told him vacum lines. But only to find later that it was those stupid plastic caps on the end of the fork. Now there could also be a vacum leak, but i checked today and could'nt find anything.

 

[ttbird]

There are also lines running to top of transfer case to the switch up there. I've had snow knock off a vaccum line located at the skid plate protecting the trans, where they start up to the top of the trans.

 

[Loren]

edgeman,



I hope I can help you find the trouble.



The 4x4 indicator light is controlled by the position of the axle disconnect. The axle disconnect is operated by vacuum. If the light is working correctly, then the problem is probably not the vacuum system nor the axle disconnect. In this case, the problem is most likely in the transfer case itself or in the shift linkage.



If the indicator light is going on and off, and especially if it corresponds to the truck's shifting in and out of 4WD, the most likely cause is with the axle disconnect or with the vacuum system that operates it.



I hope this helps. Good luck,

Loren

 

[edgeman]

well i will check all of my vacuum lines again just to make sure. I do think that it is those plastic tips on the actuator fork, being that they are gone. But i will not know for a couple days. I would like to ask a ? about anyone who has stacks or knows anything about them. Should i put flex pipe on or not. I have herd that you should because of the truck box moving while driving. And the truck i have is completly stock and was wondering what size fuel plate to put in it or if i should do anything before. I didnt want to start a new thread, i just figured i would add it to this.

 

[HerbW]

Edgeman, To give advise on a fuel plate, we need to know the year of your truck and if you have an auto or manual transmission. Do an email search for TST Products: TST Products, Inc. or Piers: PDR Diesel Performance. I bought mine there. They explain which one to use for your truck set up and your needs. I havven't been to either site in a long time. Both great companies. Good luck. Herb