Archived stuck in 4WD 4hi

[LSchlekau]

I have a 2004. 5 3500 Quad CTD LB 4WD with electronic shifting. With 4292 miles on the odometer, including a few feet in 4WD on maybe 3 or 4 occasions (no offroad use, just mud/gravel), I became stuck in 4hi. I was backing onto very loose gravel, nothing being towed, truck was unloaded. I shifted into 4hi- it didn't seem to want to go into 4lo, but I thought nothing of it since I was shifting (in N) at a standstill. The next morning (Saturday) as I tried to leave, I found I could not shift out of 4hi, either at a stop or moving slowly. I could turn the switch, but the light would just blink at 2WD for a while, then go back steady at 4hi. Had to call Chrysler emergency service. They took me to a Hagerstown dealer whose service dept was closed, as were all service depts within about 40 miles. No rental cars available either. No buses, trains or flights home until Monday. Had to call AAA to get towed almost 100 miles back to my selling dealer, near home. No leaks or disconnected wires. No obvious damage or clues. There's something like 45 fuses in the box, unlabelled, and the manual does not label them either. None were obviously blown, but I did not remove/reinstall them. Gotta buy an aftermarket manual when available.



Any ideas as to what could be wrong? Bad solenoid? As I plan a 2500 mile trip in a couple of weeks, towing a TT, I need to have a reliable vehicle.

 

[LSchlekau]

Just got word from the dealer: They have no idea. They appear to be having a problem finding someone qualified to diagnose it. Sure beats random parts replacement. Hope I get it back by Friday...

 

[Ron Bissett]

I have had several auto with 4 wheel drive and always had to back up several feet to get out of 4 hi. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY P. S fuse label inside the cover of the box.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I agree with Ron, my experience with those auto-shifting axles is to slowly drive forwards/backwards until it lets loose. Sometimes, when coming out of 4 HI, I have had to shift to 4 LO to make it do something, then back to 2 HI and reverse. usually does the trick.



Oh, one other thing. While backing up, rock the front wheels from left to right about a 1/4 turn. preferably do this on dirt. If on pavement, puts a lot of stress on things and that makes it hang up causing the problem you had.

 

[LSchlekau]

Well, the dealer returned it to me today. Said there was no problem. However, on Monday and Tuesday they admitted there was a problem. Maybe they just didn't "get around" to my truck until Wednesday. Anyway, "nothing broken" they said- so I insisted they tell me how they got it to work.



You guys are right - they just moved it in reverse a few feet, or so they said. Then the mech said maybe there was just some junk blocking the electric motor. Not likely. I had moved it in 4hi, mostly forward, but could not get it working/shifting into 2WD or 4lo. I had also backed it up in 4hi (manuevering it for tow truck), but perhaps not enough? A couple of car lengths? If it happens again, I'll try moving it in reverse while the switch is switched over to the desired new setting. I didn't think that was a good idea, but I guess it's what's needed. In their parking lot, it worked just fine shifting between 2WD and 4hi and 4lo, at a dead stop in N. Maybe it's been "fixed" and just not discussed, or just "broken in" more. I should have checked for codes before giving them the truck.



Anyway, this weekend I will be on the same gravel drive again, and I'll find out. I need some confidence in this before our July vacation.



Thank you for your help.



And I most humbly accept this DS award for my outstanding blindness in not seeing what I was looking at (fuse IDs).

 

[John - K5AWO]

In my experience, the reason for the difficulty in getting it to unlock is:



. one side or the other axle has some preload on it creating too much friction for the shift mechanism to over come.

. not backing it up far enough

. not going forward far enough first and then backing up



I use 4LO a lot to help control trailer backing up a small grade with a gravel surface so the duallies don't spin out.



I switch it to 4HI, back up 2 lengths wiggling the steering wheel



switch to 2HI and pull forward while wiggling steering wheel.

. that usually unlocks it, if it don't just repeat the backing up exercise. That will usually do the trick.



It's just preload ont he shifting mechanism. Nothing unusual. Once you do it a couple of times, you won't think nothing of it.



I like to do the backup b4 driving off routine ONE EXTRA TIME after I see the light go out. paranoia, but FWD components are expensive to replace. Backing up one more time is cheap.