i have a 98 dodge 2500 auto i pulled off in some wet grass on a slope today. well needless to say when i went to back out i just spun so i pulled forward and went to put it in 4wd and it acts like to transfer case engages but maybe its just my imagination my light is not coming on or anything so i dont know i cant find any fuses or relays i had a chevy that had front actuator problems but this thing doesn't have anything like this being the straight axle does it
with the engine off and in 2wd the front driveshaft will spin but if i engage the 4wd with the engine still of the driveshaft won't spin

 

Its all done by vacuume so there are no fuses besides for the wiring in the light. Sounds like the vacumme acuator went bad in the front axle. Its just 4bolts to pull it off and easy to replace. most ppl just convert it over to the mechanical 4x4 acuator to get rid of the vaccume problems

 

I would have to agree on the vacuum actuator being the problem! Very common problem

 

what all has to be done to make it mechannicle instead of all this vaccumm and is there anyway to test the vaccumm acctuator

 

posi-lok
4x4 Posi-Lok Positive Axle Engagement System for Dodge 4x4s
Well worth the money

 

make sure the vaccum line didnt slip off and is crack free

 

yes if your blower motor only blows air through the vents on the windshield then its a vaccum line.

 

or your vac pump off back of power steering pump ***.

 

Just had my vacuum switch quit on mine on the transfer case. Instead of fixing a problematic system I ordered the alloy cable differential lock kit should be here early this week. It retails for 230+ through them but got it through cseoffroad four about 125 with free shipping haven't heard anything bad yet and don't have it on my truck yet. But they beat the crap out of every price I could find.

450400 Alloy USA Differential Cable Lock Kit, With D44 or D60 Axle, Dodge 1500 1994-2001, 2500 1994-2004


Just add it to your cart and there will be a free shipping option somewhere in there says it just takes a week to get there. I was thrilled to find it being even ebay wants 145 and everyone else goes up from there on price after shipping.