I need some help with this one. I just bought this truck 2004 Ram 2500 diesel. Owner took good care of it but told me about some issues after I bought it. Wipers will not turn off or park (sometimes) usually when this happens the speedometer drops to zero and then jumps around and sometimes in gets stuck is 4wd. I have the wiper problem and speedometer problem once and I'm planing on replacing the multifunction switch I parked it in 4wd last night right up against the garage door because of hurrican Irene and now its stuck in 4wd. If I select 2wd in blinks but reverts to 4wd. 4wd light is on on the dash and I know its stuck by the way it drives. Power is out at my house and I have spent all day cutting trees and still have alot more to go. I need to get this fixed ASAP before my wife says "I told you not to buy it". I have bought a hanes manual but its no help. I have a jeep but it has a manual handle but this electric selection has thrown me a curve ball. I can't find a diagram of the system on the net or anywhere. This thing has a BT tranny but the transfer case is the original. I'm thinking the swith control a relay on the transfer case? Free firewood to all who answer....you just need to cut it and carry it away! Any help would be great! I finally got the truck i have been wanting and now i'm stuck!

thanks,
Dave

 

sounds like it is the on the transfer case. motor etc goes bad sometimes.

 

Probabally either one of three things.

1) The switch on the dash took a crap (mine did couple months ago). $45.00 at the Dodge dealer and 10 minutes to change.

2) The transfer Case Control Module died. It's several hundred dollars and buried under the dash. P.I.T.A. to change cause the entire dash needs to be removed to get to it.

3) The 4wd Actuator Motor on the t-case itself. They run about $150.00 and bolt right to the side of the t-case.

 

thanks.....I think I can ohm out the switch without a diagram but is there a way to troubleshoot the transfer case control module and actuator motor? Or should I roll the dice and opt for the easier or cheaper part? If I can get it back in 2wd I'll deal with this later. I'd like to get it rolling because I need to carry alot brush away.

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Another question. What was the indication the switch was bad? When I switch from 4wd to 2wd the 4wd light on the switch flashes for awhile and then goes steady. It looks like it sees the swith command but thinks about switching and can't so it reverts to 4wd. Is the slow response and indication of something? Is there a way for me to force it into 2wd?

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I took a break from cutting trees and located the motor on the transfer case. I going to start with the switch then moter and hopefully it will be fixed. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know what happens.

 

My truck was stuck in 2wd. When I tried 4wd, the light may or mat not move but the t-case never shifted. Then the light went out completely.

 

I took a break from cutting trees and located the motor on the transfer case. I going to start with the switch then moter and hopefully it will be fixed. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know what happens.

 

I got a hold of the transfer case wiring diagram. TCM has two wiring going to go the motor. I'm going of get my son it cycle the switch while I read out the two wires. I'm thinking its 12volts dc because the motor is grounded. According to the diagram the it defaults to high. Would it be possible for me to remove the switch and manually shift into 2wd. Just a thought.

 

Sorry but I have been unable to post due to a crashed computer and no power (again) compliments of hurricane Irene so I open up this thread. I bought a transfer case motor and while waiting for it to come in my son moved the switch to 2WD and it shifted. I did a little more research and it turn out the signal going to the motor is 5-7 volts and reverses to reverse the motor. I still have not checked but I'm going to have my son turn the switch and I'll check for a voltage going to the motor. If the voltage is there I think I'm going to return the motor. Right now it’s in 2WD so it’s drivable. ****Another issue**** I got a bulb out message on the dash and it turned out the right rear brake lamp was out. Replaced the lamp on joy. Next day turn signal flashes more than 100 times a minute. The second day I have no turn signals except of the left rear. No right brake light. Head light now only work one at a time. Low beams I get a left head light. High beams left lamp goes out and right (only) come on. Later on that day the lamp under the hood went out. Also no front hazard but I have rear hazard. Check the fuses. No power to 32 and 34 (goes to left and right turn signals) these fuses are fed by #15. No power front 15 either. I also check two empty spare fuse holders and there IS power. I think I'm looking at a bad front control unit but using the diagrams I'm not too sure. The way I understand this is that the FCU send power to the devices on the bus once a command is sent. I'm dropping it off at the Dodge dealer today because I have spent two days on this and reached a road block. If it is the FCU it’s a dealer item and has to be programmed by the dealer. Thinking back to my 2-4WD shift problem, wiper problem, speedometer jumping around and now a lighting issue. Maybe all these issues are related and I have found the problem. I’ll update this link it two days with the results from the dealer. Thanks for all the help.

 

Well, its not the FCU its turns out its the power dist box itself. The FCU mates to the PDB so I was close. Part is avaible but it may take a week. Price is 456 plus programming and labor of 140. Hate to spend it but I have no choice. The problem is an internal short. Thanks for all the help. This thread can be closed. If the issue comes back I'll reopen the thread. Thank again for all the help.