Correct way to disengage 4WD HI: Dealer says sometimes backup 5 feet?

[Hemi4905]

Hi Members,

The reason for my question is that with 31K miles for some reason my 4x4 HI mode remains on when I try to switch back to 2WD. Plus, the 4x4 dashboard indicator turns off to confirm I should be in 2WD? Has anybody else experienced this problem? Note: I always follow the manuals shifting directions but there is nothing documented anywhere at the Ram dealership or in my Ram manual to justify this is normal or the recent advice of my Ram Service Advisor. For example, my Ram Service Advisor had to call one of his mechanics to advise me that if my 2019 Ram 1500 Classic SLT 4x4 Hemi doesn't come out of 4x4 Hi with the touch of a button then follow the "Work Around" which is to back up 5 feet or so and push the 2WD button again?

 

[muddy12]

Did they change the 4x4 shifting procedure for the 19’s?
Typically, 2wd to 4wd(and 4wd to 2wd) should not require shifting to neutral.

Should be able to just push the button while driving, to go into and out of 4x4. Only time shifting the trans to neutral is required, is when going from 4hi to 4 lo.



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[Hemi4905]

@muddy12 Have you ever heard of this "Work Around" which is to back up 5 feet or so and push the 2WD button again to get out of 4WD?

 

[BWL]

It should come out automatically when you hit the button. However if you are on the throttle or turning around a corner or even parked with your foot on the brake it may not disengage until you straighten out, coast a bit or roll forward or back.

 

[muddy12]

@muddy12 Have you ever heard of this "Work Around" which is to back up 5 feet or so and push the 2WD button again to get out of 4WD?

Yes I have. However, not since floor mounted shifters and manual hubs were the norm.

Also, some of the “auto locking” hubs (think 70’s & 80’s) requires backing up after shifting the T-case back to 2wd, in order for them to disengage.


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[Tach_tech]

During certain conditions it is possible for the system to partially still be in 4X4, backing up a few feet will allow it to properly engage. It really depends on what you’re doing and which transfer case you have.

The most common way it can kind of get stuck in 4X4, is during parking lot maneuvers if your switching back and forth from 2 and 4 wheel drive.

 

[chrisbh17]

I have as well, but it was for trucks with actual locking hubs. My RAM (and I think most 4th gens? and maybe even earlier) dont have a locking hub setup, they have an axle disconnect.

I suppose its possible for the axle "slider" to remain connected if its under torque when you turn off 4WD, but I would think the computer handles actually doing that. So you press 2WD, the computer will wait until there is no speed or torque or throttle request to actually turn off 4WD.

I do think there might be a note about having to backup when going from 4 Lo back to 4 Hi or 4 Auto, though.

 

[Hemi4905]

@Tach_tech - You are dead on accurate. I was leaving a parking lot after work and I never got it out of 4wd or never had to back up the truck until I was at the Ram dealership. Final note: The “Work Around” is not documented anywhere so I’m of the opinion it’s problematic of more potential problems. Do you agree?

 

[Tach_tech]

@Tach_tech - You are dead on accurate. I was leaving a parking lot after work and I never got it out of 4wd or never had to back up the truck until I was at the Ram dealership. Final note: The “Work Around” is not documented anywhere so I’m of the opinion it’s problematic of more potential problems. Do you agree?

Did you put it in 2wd after leaving the parking lot or not until you got to the dealer. Usually either backing up or driving forward a 100ft or so should allow it to completely come out of 4wd.

 

[Hemi4905]

@Tach_tech Before I left my work parking lot I tried and tried multiple times to get it out of 4wd and into 2wd for the ride home but it only succeeded when I arrived at the dealership after they backed it up within 5 feet and pushed the 2wd button.

 

[Tach_tech]

@Tach_tech Before I left my work parking lot I tried and tried multiple times to get it out of 4wd and into 2wd for the ride home but it only succeeded when I arrived at the dealership after they backed it up within 5 feet and pushed the 2wd button.

That’s a little odd, driving that much should have allowed to to completely disengage from 4wd.

 

[Hemi4905]

I am still discussing this undocumented “Work Around” with my Service Advisor and since it's still under warranty they agreed to evaluate this further by leaving the truck with them on Monday morning. Any final thoughts because I'll post the resolution when I get my truck back from the Service Center? Thanks again!

 

[Tach_tech]

I am still discussing this undocumented “Work Around” with my Service Advisor and since it's still under warranty they agreed to evaluate this further by leaving the truck with them on Monday morning. Do you agree?

See what they say on Monday.

Otherwise its a 2019, you’ve got lots of warranty and it’s documented as a concern. So as long as backing up works if/when it doesn’t disengage properly I would just drive your truck and enjoy it. If the issue changes or get worse then take it back.

 

[huntergreen]

@muddy12 Have you ever heard of this "Work Around" which is to back up 5 feet or so and push the 2WD button again to get out of 4WD?

Haven't heard of having to back up to get out of 4we since the late eighties or early nineties.

 

[FCAEMPLOYEE]

These newer trucks are definitely finicky with all the tech

 

[chrisbh17]

It kinda makes sense why it might be necessary in certain conditions, but not nearly as necessary as it is on trucks with actual locking hubs.

Personally I'd rather have auto locking hubs and have to back up a bit to unlock them, rather than the axle disconnect setup

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[madtrucker2016]

Hi Members,

The reason for my question is that with 31K miles for some reason my 4x4 HI mode remains on when I try to switch back to 2WD. Plus, the 4x4 dashboard indicator turns off to confirm I should be in 2WD? Has anybody else experienced this problem? Note: I always follow the manuals shifting directions but there is nothing documented anywhere at the Ram dealership or in my Ram manual to justify this is normal or the recent advice of my Ram Service Advisor. For example, my Ram Service Advisor had to call one of his mechanics to advise me that if my 2019 Ram 1500 Classic SLT 4x4 Hemi doesn't come out of 4x4 Hi with the touch of a button then follow the "Work Around" which is to back up 5 feet or so and push the 2WD button again? [

Should be shift on the fly. That back up crap they told you is like from the 80,s not in today's four wheel drive systems.

 

[madtrucker2016]

Should be shift on the fly. that back up crap is like from the 80,s not in today's four wheel drive systems.

 

[ram1500rsm]

If it works and get you out of 4wd who cares what year was first used ?
put the shifter in 2wd, then shift to reverse and backup. It will prob disengage 4hi faster that way sometimes. It’s a transfer case not an automatic transmission so it’ll be clunky and sometimes not in sync with the shifter even more so since we have this electric garbage. It also helps if you use 4x4 often as everything is lubricated properly.
My Jeep sometimes will keep 4hi on even though the 4x4 light was off so going in reverse was something I’ll do almost all the time to get it out of 4hi. I haven’t have that happening with the RAM but I’ve driven close to a mile with the switch on 2wd and the 4x4 light still on from 4hi. Stopping and going in reverse couple of ft has fixed it. I’ve found this out when playing to go 4x4 for a few seconds then wanting to go 2wd after that.
I can go 4lo for 4-5 hours in contrast and the shifter gets me to 2wd right away (after doing the expected dance of coming to a stop and putting the trans in N and yada yada yada I hate the electric shifter crap)

 

[pacofortacos]

With the 44-45 and under torque, I have had to either
a. stop and back up a few feet - usually not driving far. or
b. accelerate and then super light throttle/coast for a couple of seconds - either way has worked on my 2016.
Usually never a problem when moving at a decent speed, happens more in parking lot/yard situations.

Not a bug, the drivetrain just has to be unloaded for the actuator to completely disengage in my opinion.
I would rather have it do that than jump out of 4WD under load.