2011 RAM 4x4 won’t engage

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Stephen leblanc

Junior Member
Joined
May 8, 2019
Posts
10
Reaction score
3
Location
Cape breton
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 won’t engage. Light on the dash flashes continuously.
I’ve changed the transfer case motor and the front differential lock actuator. Still doing the same thing. The front driveshaft locks when I put it in 4x4 but won’t engage the axel (reason I changed the lock actuator). Any ideas? 4x4 high just blinks
4x4 low blinks but high goes solid, still no 4x4. “ESC system off” and “service 4x4” are on the dash. Any help or advice would be great thanks. “ESC system off” light only comes on when I turn the knob to 4 low which I think is normal anyway.
 
Last edited:

Brandon-w

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Posts
3,256
Reaction score
4,938
Location
Yukon
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500
Engine
6.4
Sounds like a wheel speed sensor is gone. You have a code reader? If a speed sensor is gone esc/abs lights come on and 4x4 won't work no matter what you do to the 4x4 system. I'd start there for sure.
 

westcoasting

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2021
Posts
48
Reaction score
32
Location
Victoria
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7
Sounds like a wheel speed sensor is gone. You have a code reader? If a speed sensor is gone esc/abs lights come on and 4x4 won't work no matter what you do to the 4x4 system. I'd start there for sure.
What’s a good code reader to purchase?
 

Brandon-w

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Posts
3,256
Reaction score
4,938
Location
Yukon
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500
Engine
6.4
What’s a good code reader to purchase?
Honestly if you use Android products I highly reccomend alfaobd. You can read codes, change factory settings and get into things like airbags and ais suspension codes which most cheap scan tools won't do. I've set my truck up with Alfa to keep fog lights on with high beams and to have led headlights with no canbus and no codes. Its handy to say the least.
 

huntergreen

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Posts
12,187
Reaction score
25,932
Ram Year
2016
Engine
hemi 5.7
Honestly if you use Android products I highly reccomend alfaobd. You can read codes, change factory settings and get into things like airbags and ais suspension codes which most cheap scan tools won't do. I've set my truck up with Alfa to keep fog lights on with high beams and to have led headlights with no canbus and no codes. Its handy to say the least.
What’s available for apple product users ?
 

westcoasting

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2021
Posts
48
Reaction score
32
Location
Victoria
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7
Honestly if you use Android products I highly reccomend alfaobd. You can read codes, change factory settings and get into things like airbags and ais suspension codes which most cheap scan tools won't do. I've set my truck up with Alfa to keep fog lights on with high beams and to have led headlights with no canbus and no codes. Its handy to say the least.
Ahh ok now I get it, so that is just a download kind of program.
 

Brandon-w

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Posts
3,256
Reaction score
4,938
Location
Yukon
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500
Engine
6.4
Ahh ok now I get it, so that is just a download kind of program.
Yeah you just buy the dongke I use bb-fly off of amazon it's cheap but works well. Then download and pay for alfaobd and off you go.
 
OP
OP
S

Stephen leblanc

Junior Member
Joined
May 8, 2019
Posts
10
Reaction score
3
Location
Cape breton
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7
Still no luck. Have a few things I am going to go out and check today. Just changed the front wheel bearings a few weeks ago so I know it’s not the front sensors. Plus no ABS light on. Checked the back speed sensor last night and everything checks out. Does anyone know if the 4gens 4x4 is vacuum assisted? I know the 3rd or 2nd are. I really really don’t want to chase wires around I’m kinda putting that off lol.
 

jws123

Senior Member
Joined
May 16, 2018
Posts
2,049
Reaction score
1,952
Location
nj
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7
Still no luck. Have a few things I am going to go out and check today. Just changed the front wheel bearings a few weeks ago so I know it’s not the front sensors. Plus no ABS light on. Checked the back speed sensor last night and everything checks out. Does anyone know if the 4gens 4x4 is vacuum assisted? I know the 3rd or 2nd are. I really really don’t want to chase wires around I’m kinda putting that off lol.
No vacuum assist all electronic on my 2011 every once ina while serv 4x4 comes on could be for a day or for a week and then just goes away for months. I have chased it never figured it out. My opinion is something gets moisture in it and then drys out? or possibly softare issue maybe? its kind of a common issue for 4th gens. I would disconnect battery for a few hours then re hook sometimes that works.
 
Top