Transfer Case Problem

From : oregon

Q: my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .

Replies:

From : dennygary carter

actually it does sound like a normal condition if you are on dry pavement when you shifted. it also helps if you leave up and then gently press on the throttle several times as you shift back into 2 hi. denny my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .

From : gary carter

are you driving on a hard surface at the time you do this 4h & 4l must only be used on slippery or loose surfaces sand gravel mud snow ect. use of 4wd on hard surfaces will cause drive train bind and will lead to equipment failure. what you are hearing on unlock is when drive train bind finally let the truck pop back into 2wd. also dont attempt to shift into 4wd when spinning tires it can also damage drive train. gary carter | my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning | as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes | before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and | when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in | the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i | looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is | not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to | guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix | thanks | o. | | .

From : oregon

i had just come out of some mud onto dry pavement drove for a bit then shifted into 2h when i first noticed this. i tried it a few more times while on the road. im thinking you answered my question. as i said...learning as i go. ill try the same shift in the dirt. thanks for the feedback. o. are you driving on a hard surface at the time you do this 4h & 4l must only be used on slippery or loose surfaces sand gravel mud snow ect. use of 4wd on hard surfaces will cause drive train bind and will lead to equipment failure. what you are hearing on unlock is when drive train bind finally let the truck pop back into 2wd. also dont attempt to shift into 4wd when spinning tires it can also damage drive train. .

From : jerry

gary carter wrote are you driving on a hard surface at the time you do this 4h & 4l must only be used on slippery or loose surfaces sand gravel mud snow ect. use of 4wd on hard surfaces will cause drive train bind and will lead to equipment failure. what you are hearing on unlock is when drive train bind finally let the truck pop back into 2wd. also dont attempt to shift into 4wd when spinning tires it can also damage drive train. i shift my truck in and out of 4h all the time on dry pavement. i sure wouldnt go into 2h while still in the mud coming out or wait until in the stuff before going into 4h. on the other hand i dont make any turns while on dry pavement until im out of 4h as you certainly will create bind then and i cant think of anytime ive ever shifted in and out over 20-25 mph. usually the light goes off or on within 30-40 feet and i have never experienced the noise and jolt as explained by oregon. imo it sounds like a transfer case problem. jerry .

From : ron s

i am not sure how dodge does it but chevrolet uses a vacuum system on the s-10 series to engage/disengage the hubs up front. if they are not used on a regular basis they can hang up on disengagement and cause just the same symptoms as described. i to could shift in and out at highway speed between 4h and 4l without any problems. just bought a 94 dakota so it will be interesting to see how it handles a pa winter. ron denny my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .

From : hodad

i think you meant 4h and 2h as i very much doubt you would shift into 4l at highway speeds! ^ hd i am not sure how dodge does it but chevrolet uses a vacuum system on the s-10 series to engage/disengage the hubs up front. if they are not used on a regular basis they can hang up on disengagement and cause just the same symptoms as described. i to could shift in and out at highway speed between 4h and 4l without any problems. just bought a 94 dakota so it will be interesting to see how it handles a pa winter. ron denny my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .

From : rm

he could....once...... i think you meant 4h and 2h as i very much doubt you would shift into 4l at highway speeds! ^ hd i am not sure how dodge does it but chevrolet uses a vacuum system on the s-10 series to engage/disengage the hubs up front. if they are not used on a regular basis they can hang up on disengagement and cause just the same symptoms as described. i to could shift in and out at highway speed between 4h and 4l without any problems. just bought a 94 dakota so it will be interesting to see how it handles a pa winter. ron denny my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .

From : tbone

i doubt that he could pull the shifter hard enough to do it. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving he could....once...... i think you meant 4h and 2h as i very much doubt you would shift into 4l at highway speeds! ^ hd i am not sure how dodge does it but chevrolet uses a vacuum system on the s-10 series to engage/disengage the hubs up front. if they are not used on a regular basis they can hang up on disengagement and cause just the same symptoms as described. i to could shift in and out at highway speed between 4h and 4l without any problems. just bought a 94 dakota so it will be interesting to see how it handles a pa winter. ron denny my 2001 ram 1500 is my first venture into the world of 4wd and im learning as i go. when i shift from 4h to 2h it takes some time several minutes before it actually shifts back into 2h evident by the indicator light and when it finally shifts it does so with a very loud clunk and a jolt in the drive train hows that for technical terms. first time it happened i looked back expecting to see a trail of parts. im confident that this is not typical and ill likely make a trip to the dealer. anyone care to guess what the problem might be and if theres any chance of a simple fix thanks o. .