97 Dakota 4x4 not working

From : thoranw

Q: i just found out that my transfer case will not shift into 4 wheel drive. of course i find this out when the storm hits and i have to run out and go to work i live in massachusetts i would like some ideas on what to check to find the problem. here are some specs and what the truck is doing. 97 3.9l with manual trans and lever/stick transfer case selector. 2wd operation is fine no extra noise or vibration can shift the transfer case into all modes you can shift into neutral and 4 low but the light does not come on and it will not engage the front wheels please leave all comments about how bad dodge is and should have bought a chevy/ford at the door. thanks in advance .

Replies:

From : tom lawrence

actually tom your zip tie method will not work. if the cad is functioning once both axles are engaged the front diff will turn the drive shaft by itself when the truck moves regardless of whether or not the transfer case whoops... yeah good point. didnt think that one all the way through .

From : fitch r williamstom lawrence

lost@lost.org wrote what fluid do i use in the darn thing gear oil or hyd. fluid my 1976 2600 ford tractor uses regular hydraulic fluid in the transmission and rear end - there is a specification nu7mber for it - i dont remember it but i wrote it in the factory service manual i bought for it. if it was me id wait for the manual or ask a dealer what to put in it. the machine may not like it much if you use the wrong one. fitch .

From : tbone

i just found out that my transfer case will not shift into 4 wheel drive. of course i find this out when the storm hits and i have to run out and go to work i live in massachusetts okay - lets first determine if its a transfer case problem or a cad problem. put the truck up on jackstands put it in 4wd and verify that both front and rear driveshafts are turning. alternatively wrap a long zip tie around the front driveshaft so that it will smack the floorboard when it turns. drive the truck in 4wd and listen for the ticking sound. actually tom your zip tie method will not work. if the cad is functioning once both axles are engaged the front diff will turn the drive shaft by itself when the truck moves regardless of whether or not the transfer case is functioning. your all 4 wheels off of the ground is the only way that i can see to test the transfer case. an easy way to test the cad without crawling under the truck would be to jack up just the passenger side front wheel and try to turn it with the engine running in park. in two wheel drive the wheel should turn freely but once shifted into 4 wheel drive it should lock up if the cad is functioning. if it doesnt then you need to crawl under the truck to determine what has failed. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .

From : ken

thats the reason i bought a dodge ram. my 1999 chevy silverado left me high and dry during last years big snow storm. so far so good! i just found out that my transfer case will not shift into 4 wheel drive. of course i find this out when the storm hits and i have to run out and go to work i live in massachusetts i would like some ideas on what to check to find the problem. here are some specs and what the truck is doing. 97 3.9l with manual trans and lever/stick transfer case selector. 2wd operation is fine no extra noise or vibration can shift the transfer case into all modes you can shift into neutral and 4 low but the light does not come on and it will not engage the front wheels please leave all comments about how bad dodge is and should have bought a chevy/ford at the door. thanks in advance .

From : thoranw

thanks for your input but how does this help me with my truck...... .

From : xcr chris

as a precautionary measure i always lock the 4x in at least every month to test it out. it also helps to keep things inside the front pumpkin moving freely. maybe a vacuum line came undone over the summer thoranw wrote i just found out that my transfer case will not shift into 4 wheel drive. of course i find this out when the storm hits and i have to run out and go to work i live in massachusetts i would like some ideas on what to check to find the problem. here are some specs and what the truck is doing. 97 3.9l with manual trans and lever/stick transfer case selector. 2wd operation is fine no extra noise or vibration can shift the transfer case into all modes you can shift into neutral and 4 low but the light does not come on and it will not engage the front wheels please leave all comments about how bad dodge is and should have bought a chevy/ford at the door. thanks in advance .