electronic 4 wheel drive engagement

[BigUglyRacing]

Trying to help a buddy with a problem. (Actually the guy i bought my truck from)



It is a 2010 qc sb only 1400 miles. When he tries to put it in 4 wheel drive using the dash mounted switch it only flashes the 4x4 light on the dash. He has tried it a few times in the past month and same thing every time.

Just making sure there is nothing we should look at before we take it to the dealer.



Thanks in advance

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

This is an indication that the system has not detected proper conditions for engagement. Have you tried backing up three feet ot so, or continuing on soft/slick surfaces?

 

[BigUglyRacing]

He has tried a few things but i will be getting with him tomorrow. I totally forgot the back up thing will give that a try. So far i have just been talking to him via the phone.

 

[JJPage]

My 03 behaves the same way, but mostly on dis-engagement, always goes in easy enough, just is a pain getting back out. Wish I had the manual lever.

 

[RDHamill]

I cast another vote for the manual transfer case

 

[BigUglyRacing]

I am with you on the manual tcase. Glad the one he sold me still has it.

 

[Cosmo]

IMHO it's one of those things - use it or lose it. I shift mine in/out of 4wd at LEAST monthly even if it's just for a few feet as I'm driving to work.

I owned a Dakota with a 243 (iirc) and the FIRST time I went to use it to pull a boat out of a lake, it wouldn't shift. After getting the solenoid replaced, I started shifting it often. In my Dakota's case though, the light went blank and didn't blink at all.

When he shifts, does he ease up off the throttle? Perhaps pop it in N while rolling along?

You shouldn't need to just to get 4-high, but who knows. If it doesn't start working, he should take it in to the dealer and get it fixed.

 

[04blackcherry]

On my '04 w/273 TC , for 4 high there's no problem. You just have to not have a front to back wheel speed difference more than 13mph. For 4 low you need to be in neutral (auto or manual), No more than 13mph speed difference, and rolling less than 3mph. The switch is only to request the TCCM (transfer case control module) to perform the action. If all parameters are met the transfer case shifts into 4wd.

 

[TMitch]

A couple of years ago on my '06, I ripped the control wires out of the harness that is attached to the electric transfer case shift motor. Drove over a stick and it wedged itself in there and broke the plastic housing that holds the connector together Actually pulled the wires out of the shift motor. Lights flashed on the dash and when I got home I removed the little electric motor and put it all back together with some epoxy and silicone. I would suggest that you verify that the connector on the side of the transfer case is intact?

 

[BigUglyRacing]

Thanks for all the advice. On a visual insp. everything looked and he figured he would just take it to the dealer . I will let you know what he finds out.

 

[bighammer]

The use it or lose it thought may be right. I use mine almost every day to get up and down our road. It has flawlessly so far in hi range, but it delays on the rare occasions I go to lo range.

 

[Cosmo]

On my '04 w/273 TC , for 4 high there's no problem. You just have to not have a front to back wheel speed difference more than 13mph. For 4 low you need to be in neutral (auto or manual), No more than 13mph speed difference, and rolling less than 3mph. The switch is only to request the TCCM (transfer case control module) to perform the action. If all parameters are met the transfer case shifts into 4wd.

Well that's interesting... I wasn't aware of the TCCM's requirement for speed input from front/rear. It sounds like if one of the ABS speed sensors isn't operating there's a good chance that the TCCM won't shift.

 

[BigUglyRacing]

Update:
Well he got it back from the dealer and all they said is he was not waiting long enough for it to engage. The dealer said they did nothing. But the funny part is it engages much faster now. So no idea what was really going on.
Thanks again for all the responses