bobbytomorow
Junior Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2022
- Posts
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Vancouver Island, Canada
- Ram Year
- 2004
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
I purchased a 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 a few months back. This is my first pick-up and first 4x4 vehicle. I've only ever owned cars prior. I bought this because I have recently moved from a city to buy my first home in a more rural region with more snow etc..More or less wanted this as a winter vehicle and to do hauling tasks (firewood, dump runs, pick up home reno material etc)
This model has the 4WD selector knob on the dash with 2WD, 4 Hi and 4 Lo.
Everything worked well until my wife (I know) took it for her first time up to a mountain for skiing. She claims she got stuck and the 4WD function simply wouldn't work. She had to get pulled out and was able to drive it home. She more or less got stuck in the snow in 2WD then panicked and I'm not sure exactly what she did. She claims she just switched to 4WD and it wouldn't work.
Now I have the the truck at home and sure enough the 4WD does not work. I drove it to a gravel lot to confirm and no power goes to the front wheels when in 4WD.
What happens when engaging 4WD (High and low):
- orange light comes on and stays on as though nothing is wrong
- no power goes to front wheels
- can hear a clicking sort of sound from front axle area when I apply power
- also notice that when in 2WD driving down the road I can hear intermittent clicking sound from the front axle area (like keys jingling in a can) even when in 2WD. The sound will stop if I make a hard turn and it will come back again when I make another turn.
- no codes on dash from ODB scanner
I am mechanically inclined but have only ever worked on cars. I am not sure where to start diagnosing, what I should check first etc...
Any help to get me going appreciated.
This model has the 4WD selector knob on the dash with 2WD, 4 Hi and 4 Lo.
Everything worked well until my wife (I know) took it for her first time up to a mountain for skiing. She claims she got stuck and the 4WD function simply wouldn't work. She had to get pulled out and was able to drive it home. She more or less got stuck in the snow in 2WD then panicked and I'm not sure exactly what she did. She claims she just switched to 4WD and it wouldn't work.
Now I have the the truck at home and sure enough the 4WD does not work. I drove it to a gravel lot to confirm and no power goes to the front wheels when in 4WD.
What happens when engaging 4WD (High and low):
- orange light comes on and stays on as though nothing is wrong
- no power goes to front wheels
- can hear a clicking sort of sound from front axle area when I apply power
- also notice that when in 2WD driving down the road I can hear intermittent clicking sound from the front axle area (like keys jingling in a can) even when in 2WD. The sound will stop if I make a hard turn and it will come back again when I make another turn.
- no codes on dash from ODB scanner
I am mechanically inclined but have only ever worked on cars. I am not sure where to start diagnosing, what I should check first etc...
Any help to get me going appreciated.