4 Wheel Drive Won't Engage

[Donelam304]

I was wondering of anyone has had the issue of the 4 wheel drive not engaging. I have the manual shift in the floor. I've replaced the 4 wheel drive actuator, twice now. I get no light or message on my dash as to what's wrong. No codes or anything. I have power to the actuator. Is there a relay built in to the fuse box that isn't listed.

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[muddy12]

Not sure what “actuator” you are referring to? If you have the manual shift lever on the floor, the only electronic part I’m aware of would be the switch for the dash indicator light.


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[Donelam304]

Not sure what “actuator” you are referring to? If you have the manual shift lever on the floor, the only electronic part I’m aware of would be the switch for the dash indicator light.


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There is an electric actuator on the front axle. All vehicles after 2013 have them I guess. Because the one that fits mine is for 2013 to 2018. I wish it was all manual. That's why I ordered it with the shift lever in the floor. I was told it was. But now I know it's not. LoL.

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View attachment 234121

 

[mtofell]

Are you sure your truck has that part? Just because it's available doesn't mean it's present on all models. I agree with Muddy12 that your setup should be all manual (other than the dash light, of course).

 

[CVX20]

Are you sure your truck has that part? Just because it's available doesn't mean it's present on all models. I agree with Muddy12 that your setup should be all manual (other than the dash light, of course).

Frt axle actuator has always been either vacuum or electrically controlled since they got rid of locking hubs.

 

[ripping r]

There is an electric actuator on the front axle. All vehicles after 2013 have them I guess. Because the one that fits mine is for 2013 to 2018. I wish it was all manual. That's why I ordered it with the shift lever in the floor. I was told it was. But now I know it's not. LoL.

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View attachment 234121

I have the same set up. only thing i can think of is the coller that locks the axels togather is not working. i wish they made a kit to get rid of the interaxel lock.

 

[CVX20]

There is an electric actuator on the front axle. All vehicles after 2013 have them I guess. Because the one that fits mine is for 2013 to 2018. I wish it was all manual. That's why I ordered it with the shift lever in the floor. I was told it was. But now I know it's not. LoL.

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View attachment 234121

If you have power to the actuator then either it's bad or you have an issue right in the diff.You did get the fork lined up with the shift collar I'm assuming.

I suppose there could be something broken in the t-case but unlikely.They're pretty bullet proof.

 

[muddy12]

There is an electric actuator on the front axle. All vehicles after 2013 have them I guess. Because the one that fits mine is for 2013 to 2018. I wish it was all manual. That's why I ordered it with the shift lever in the floor. I was told it was. But now I know it's not. LoL.

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View attachment 234121

The axle disconnect was eliminated from the 2500’s in the early 2000’s (when they started using AAM axles on the late 2nd gen, and 3rd gen 2500’s). I was not aware that they brought it back for the 4th gen’s.


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[Quyonmob]

Front diff actuators are the Achilles heel of modern 4wd systems.

I replaced my 92 k1500 with a cable system. A friend with a 94 k1500 threw a deep socket in his actuator to keep the plunger depressed all the time.

See if there is a way to physically and permanently keep the fork in the engaged position. Mpg will suffer as the diff will always be pushing the driveshaft in 2wd instead of freewheeling.

my fleet F250 nearly left me stuck when the front actuator failed. Luckily Ford left manual hubs on them as a back-up. Hubs have never been moved in 9years and 150,000mi, so it was tricky.

 

[ripping r]

The axle disconnect was eliminated from the 2500’s in the early 2000’s (when they started using AAM axles on the late 2nd gen, and 3rd gen 2500’s). I was not aware that they brought it back for the 4th gen’s.


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they did and it sucks!

 

[392DevilDog]

The axle disconnect was eliminated from the 2500’s in the early 2000’s (when they started using AAM axles on the late 2nd gen, and 3rd gen 2500’s). I was not aware that they brought it back for the 4th gen’s.


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The Center Axle disconnect returned in 2013. To save 1mpg.

Wish people would stop buying trucks that want gas mileage. Lol

 

[392DevilDog]

You can buy the kit to blank them out or get the posi cable where you have a mechanical link.

You can also flip the e clips on the actuator fork to make it be on when off and then unplug it.

I did this to my 99. Which was vacuum actuated and a pain.

 

[csuder99]

Weird, my 2013 2500 built in 7/13 does not have the CAD.

 

[392DevilDog]

Weird, my 2013 2500 built in 7/13 does not have the CAD.

Does your 2013 have the 2.5 inch class 5 receiver?

I do not believe it was a mid year thing...but it could have been. Not sure what month my 2013 was built but it had it and so does my 2015.

Interesting

 

[392DevilDog]

https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/09/first-look-2013-ram-25003500-hd.html

This article says it was for the 2013 model year.

Very interesting if yours did not have it

 

[crazy jerry]

I was wondering of anyone has had the issue of the 4 wheel drive not engaging. I have the manual shift in the floor. I've replaced the 4 wheel drive actuator, twice now. I get no light or message on my dash as to what's wrong. No codes or anything. I have power to the actuator. Is there a relay built in to the fuse box that isn't listed.

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first things first. if your not familiar with the 4x4 system on these trucks and how its all tied together electrically, you need to find somebody who is and speak with them

mechanics 101 says that if a component doesnt have clear signs of failure then you need to bench test it. did you bench test the original cad actuator ? if not, it may be in good working condition and your problem lies else where. ive never had to test one but you should just be able to apply electrical current to the plug plongs and the motor will turn on and slide the fork. wiring diagram may help determine what electrical current is needed for testing. other wise consult with someone familiar with these electric systems

the second actuator you installed. was it genuine aam part or chinese knockoff ? im not even sure there is knockoff actuators but figured i would ask. stay with genuine aam parts

i believe it is possible to install the actuator in the axle housing and have it not be aligned in the collar groove. double check proper installation

the fact youve replaced two actuators and still theres a problem leads me to think that likely you have something going wrong elsewhere. we have these newer rams at work and the 4x4 system is extremely reliable for us

 

[csuder99]

Does your 2013 have the 2.5 inch class 5 receiver?

I do not believe it was a mid year thing...but it could have been. Not sure what month my 2013 was built but it had it and so does my 2015.

Interesting

Yes 2.5" receiver. July is pretty much at the end of the MY too.

Playing with the parts catalog it shows the CAD for 2013 3500s but not 2500s. The part is listed for both starting in 2014.

 

[392DevilDog]

Interesting. Thanks for the info. @csuder99

 

[CVX20]

You can buy the kit to blank them out or get the posi cable where you have a mechanical link.

You can also flip the e clips on the actuator fork to make it be on when off and then unplug it.

I did this to my 99. Which was vacuum actuated and a pain.

You drive it on the street with the frt locked all the time?

 

[Donelam304]

You can buy the kit to blank them out or get the posi cable where you have a mechanical link.

You can also flip the e clips on the actuator fork to make it be on when off and then unplug it.

I did this to my 99. Which was vacuum actuated and a pain.

Do you possibly have a link where I can buy this cable at. I'm going to look at flipping the fork today.

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