4X4 issues on a 2011 Longhorn

[texashale]

Hi guys, last month, I bought a beautiful Longhorn, which has been taken really good care of, but has a LOT of mile on it. 185,000 to be exact. But they were for sure all highway miles. I have put a lot of mile on it myself, and it hasn't even gone through a half a quart of oil yet.

Anyhow, when I bought it, the 4X4 would activate (meaning that the lights on the dash would switch to reflect the mode that I had selected,) but I really couldn't test it out, so I just had to assume it worked. Anyhow, after I got it home (I bought it in Phoenix, but I live in El Paso,) after a couple of days, the 4X4 would only work intermittently. sometimes the lights wouldn't come on when I turned it on. Now, they never do. I don't hear any noises like anything is activating underneath nothing. Looking around, I have heard a lot of bad things about this transfer case. I wish I had known about this about the majority of the 1500 models, I would have bought a 2500. I have been a died in the wool MoPar guy my entire life, and I know they have occasionally done some stupid things, so I guess this is one of them... I love the truck otherwise, eventually I guess I'm gonna have to swap out the front axle and the transfer case... But in the mean time, can anyone help?

Oh, one other thing, I am getting really crappy fuel economy. I have a heavy foot, and that doesn't help I know, but the truck is telling me I'm getting like 12.4 MPG, when in reality it is around 10. Do you think that could be a symptom? I'm suspecting that it could be the 4WD actuator on the axle (that is such a stupid idea to me...) This is such a soccer mom's 4X4...
Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[crazykid1994]

No need to swap the front axle. Swapping the transfer case to a true 4x4 case has been done. Idk what it took. You need to see what’s causing your issue with the 4x4 module not responding. Maybe bad connection? Or bad module. Does yours have 4 auto?

 

[texashale]

Yes, it is 4X4 auto. I am disabled, so I am looking for ideas for where to look, before I for crawling around underneath, since it is more difficult these days than it used to be...

 

[huntergreen]

Yes, it is 4X4 auto. I am disabled, so I am looking for ideas for where to look, before I for crawling around underneath, since it is more difficult these days than it used to be...

First thing I would do is check for codes. Then change the fluid.

 

[BWL]

First thing I would do is switch it to 4 low and see if it engages regardless of the light. Easy to tell. And try the 4wd as the difference between 2 and 4 with the traction control off is obvious. Then fuses and plugs as mentioned above since thats the next easiest thing. You should have a service 4wd light come on if it doesn't work. If you have a scan tool you can check for codes. On the bright side the bw44-44 transfer case is fairly easy to change and used low mileage ones with attached actuator motors can be purchased fairly cheap. I recently bought one with 40,000 miles on it for $260 US. You will have to verify its a bw4444 by looking at the case on top of it just above the output shaft there should be a sticker thats says borg warner 4444. I know my 2017 has the same case as my 2011 had.just to put your mind at ease if its worst case scenario.

 

[texashale]

Thanks, that's does make me feel better, but when I do swap it out, I won't replace it with the same thing. I live in eo paso, and even though I don't go off road too much anymore, when I do, it gets pretty rough, like moderate rock crawling kinda rough (which is why I'm gonna have to put a lift kit on this thing too. My Durango has MUCH better ground clearance....) The only thing that makes me nervous are the mesquite bushes and the thorne's... Anyhow not sure what a suitable, very rugged transfer case would be for it...
But when you mentioned "service 4wd," that reminded me that when this all started l, the service 4ws light did flash in for just a second when I started it one day. Also l, I have LOOKED for the fuses, but can't find them... I think I need to actually break down and get a Chilton manual for this thing...