Thank you for the video. Mine did this a few weeks ago while I was towing my RV, and I was 6 hours from home. I was in a panic as there was no dealership around for a very long way. At my next stop, I shut the engine off and when I came back the light was off. I have put hundreds and hundreds of more miles on it, mostly towing my trailer, and it has not come back on. I'm at least relieved to know what is causing the light to come on, but now I know it won't leave me stranded. This was also a common failure point on the YJ Wranglers, although their biggest problem was the actuator was vacuum driven. When the TJ Wrangler came out in 1997, they had done away with the CAD actuator and it was simply a solid axle which spun the transfer case all the time, so I'm pretty confident the actuator here won't cause any major issues if it fails. I'm also happy that it is something I can fix myself because I doubt this is going to fall under the powertrain warranty, and I have over 60,000 miles on my truck.
Thank you for your timely video. My 4wd service light went on today after a short trip last weekend, but I had a different problem instead of the actuator itself. We have ground squirrels always running around our house and my two dogs always seem to chase them under our vehicles. They were chasing one as we returned and I did not notice that it ran under the truck to get away. One of the dogs chased it up into the motor bay and apparently chewed the actuator harness to get to it. Thanks to the video I started with your advise and immediately found the problem and repaired it fairly quickly. This is the second vehicle we've had this happen to, the first had so much damage that I traded it off. I will use a .22 rifle again to make a more permanent repair
Would you recommend aftermarket over OEM? My issue is similar. The service 4wd only comes on when I try to shift into it but goes out shortly there after.
@@LandingZoneHome Thanks for getting back to me. You were right, it was super easy and I lost virtually no oil. Unfortunately, the truck still won't start and the SERV 4WD light is still illuminated. Any other thoughts? I'm dreading a starter replacement. It's in a tough spot. It does click when I turn the key, but the SERV 4WD light being on still is throwing me off that idea.
@@bobgang8700 I would bet that once the vehicle cranks the SERV 4WD light will go out. I didin't have to clear the code it just went out once the vehicle was cranked. Good luck.
It happen to me multiples times with a 2011 Ram 1500. It happen always offroad(it can happen on paved road to). The first time, it was a ''speed weel sensor'' (each weel have one speed sensor). The speed sensor wire was broken(due to vibrations), its 2 tiny tiny wires molded in a rubber cable. The easy way to verify what the problem is with a scantool with ''live data''. The scantool show the 4 wheel speed in real time and if one dont show up its the one that have a broken wire. I bought the replacement speed sensor at Rockauto 5 years ago and it still work today :0) This year, i triggered the ''service 4wd code'' 2 times and i explain : it ALWAYS happen in ''wavy gravel road'' (non paved road) and when one weel loose traction because the computer detect a big difference of RPM weels, normally the rear wheels(when you turn and the rear ''slide'' :0). When it happen, the code disappear the day after or somtin like that. But in all cases, when the code is triggered, you loose your ''cruise control'' and the 4wd to. The computer have to compare all 4 weels speed and if they match, it all good but if they dont, the 4ed and cruise control is desactivated.
@@LandingZoneHome Oh, i forget to tell that if you have a ''turn knob'' for the transmission and you cant put it to park(stuck button) and you cant start the vehicle, just unplug the battery for 15 minutes, it reset the computer, i saw it many times at the dealership, it can happen to brand new truck. In all cases, check the battery health.
This is a case of "Use it, or lose it!" You admit that you have only used your 4WD once, in many thousands of miles. That's your problem. If you don't engage 4WD over a very long time, dirt builds up on the actuator, and fluids inside settle out and get bogged down. Gummy actuators fail to engage. The solution, if you're lucky: Get your car warmed up by driving it for fifteen minutes, or so. Along the way, towards the end of your drive, switch into neutral, on the side of the road, and try to switch into 4WD Low. If that only gives you the blinking light, drive on. Pull over, repeat the preceding. After a few times, you will find that you can now switch into all three 4WD modes. That has never failed, for me I'm at 43,000 miles on my 2020 Ram, 1500 Diesel. I've had the problem twice, and beaten it, both times. When I remember to switch into 4WD once a week, I never have any problems. Yeah, use it, or lose it!
Its happening so frequently because new vehicles are complete junk. My 2007 Dodge ram 3500 has 350k miles on it and the 4wd works everytime with the electric shifter
@LandingZoneHome it is designed to fail. I work on vehicles for a living and the newer the vehicle the shorter the life expectancy of all of the components. Planned obsolescence is at an astonishing level with everything.
Guess thats what is wrong with mine also? But wait I use mine about every time its moved. 16K on my 22 3500 and had this issue today. Sad part is, if it will not go into 4x4. I'm out a wrecker call. Dually will not move in loose gravel pulling a boat. To the video poster, Thanks for the heads up. Mine's still under warranty. Will get it in this week.
Thank you for the video. Mine did this a few weeks ago while I was towing my RV, and I was 6 hours from home. I was in a panic as there was no dealership around for a very long way. At my next stop, I shut the engine off and when I came back the light was off. I have put hundreds and hundreds of more miles on it, mostly towing my trailer, and it has not come back on. I'm at least relieved to know what is causing the light to come on, but now I know it won't leave me stranded. This was also a common failure point on the YJ Wranglers, although their biggest problem was the actuator was vacuum driven. When the TJ Wrangler came out in 1997, they had done away with the CAD actuator and it was simply a solid axle which spun the transfer case all the time, so I'm pretty confident the actuator here won't cause any major issues if it fails. I'm also happy that it is something I can fix myself because I doubt this is going to fall under the powertrain warranty, and I have over 60,000 miles on my truck.
Glad my video was useful and good luck with your truck. Please subscribe if you can.
I can't find the video friend @@LandingZoneHome
Thank you for the very imformative series! I will be replacing mine as well! God bless and happy camping!
You are welcome, good luck with your repair and thank you for watching.
Thank you for your timely video. My 4wd service light went on today after a short trip last weekend, but I had a different problem instead of the actuator itself. We have ground squirrels always running around our house and my two dogs always seem to chase them under our vehicles. They were chasing one as we returned and I did not notice that it ran under the truck to get away. One of the dogs chased it up into the motor bay and apparently chewed the actuator harness to get to it. Thanks to the video I started with your advise and immediately found the problem and repaired it fairly quickly. This is the second vehicle we've had this happen to, the first had so much damage that I traded it off. I will use a .22 rifle again to make a more permanent repair
Excellent! Glad I could help and I like your more permanent repair :)
Thank You very much Sir. My 3500 did this @ 200000
Glad it helped.
Thank you for sharing… this video has been very helpful 🙏🏼
I am very glad to hear that. Hope you can subscribe.
Thank you very much for your input
You are very welcome.
Would you recommend aftermarket over OEM? My issue is similar. The service 4wd only comes on when I try to shift into it but goes out shortly there after.
Two OEMs failed for me and I'm on a aftermarket part now. So I don't know yet know which is better. Thanks for watching.
when you said jacked up the right side, could you clarify, passenger side or driver side?
Sorry, that is the passenger or curb side in the U.S.
@@LandingZoneHome Thanks for getting back to me. You were right, it was super easy and I lost virtually no oil. Unfortunately, the truck still won't start and the SERV 4WD light is still illuminated. Any other thoughts? I'm dreading a starter replacement. It's in a tough spot. It does click when I turn the key, but the SERV 4WD light being on still is throwing me off that idea.
@@bobgang8700 I would bet that once the vehicle cranks the SERV 4WD light will go out. I didin't have to clear the code it just went out once the vehicle was cranked. Good luck.
@@LandingZoneHome Therein lies the problem, no crank whatsoever. It won't even take a jump. Really stumped.
@@bobgang8700 It could be as simple as bad batteries.
Does that cut the light off
yes
It happen to me multiples times with a 2011 Ram 1500. It happen always offroad(it can happen on paved road to). The first time, it was a ''speed weel sensor'' (each weel have one speed sensor). The speed sensor wire was broken(due to vibrations), its 2 tiny tiny wires molded in a rubber cable. The easy way to verify what the problem is with a scantool with ''live data''. The scantool show the 4 wheel speed in real time and if one dont show up its the one that have a broken wire. I bought the replacement speed sensor at Rockauto 5 years ago and it still work today :0) This year, i triggered the ''service 4wd code'' 2 times and i explain : it ALWAYS happen in ''wavy gravel road'' (non paved road) and when one weel loose traction because the computer detect a big difference of RPM weels, normally the rear wheels(when you turn and the rear ''slide'' :0). When it happen, the code disappear the day after or somtin like that. But in all cases, when the code is triggered, you loose your ''cruise control'' and the 4wd to. The computer have to compare all 4 weels speed and if they match, it all good but if they dont, the 4ed and cruise control is desactivated.
Wow, a lot of info here. Thanks for the tips.
@@LandingZoneHome Oh, i forget to tell that if you have a ''turn knob'' for the transmission and you cant put it to park(stuck button) and you cant start the vehicle, just unplug the battery for 15 minutes, it reset the computer, i saw it many times at the dealership, it can happen to brand new truck. In all cases, check the battery health.
Where is the actuator located?
Front axel on the passenger side of the differential. Thanks for watching.
Thanks
You are welcome.
What if it was red when it came
&
I don't know, RAM customer service just said if yellow keep driving. Thanks for your question, sorry I don't have a better answer.
I have a 2012 3500 ram 6.7 4 wheel service light is on
I think you know your options after watching the videos. Good luck.
This is a case of "Use it, or lose it!" You admit that you have only used your 4WD once, in many thousands of miles. That's your problem. If you don't engage 4WD over a very long time, dirt builds up on the actuator, and fluids inside settle out and get bogged down. Gummy actuators fail to engage. The solution, if you're lucky: Get your car warmed up by driving it for fifteen minutes, or so. Along the way, towards the end of your drive, switch into neutral, on the side of the road, and try to switch into 4WD Low. If that only gives you the blinking light, drive on. Pull over, repeat the preceding. After a few times, you will find that you can now switch into all three 4WD modes. That has never failed, for me I'm at 43,000 miles on my 2020 Ram, 1500 Diesel. I've had the problem twice, and beaten it, both times. When I remember to switch into 4WD once a week, I never have any problems. Yeah, use it, or lose it!
Thanks for the tip.
A brand new 2024 ram 2500 with 2500 miles on it mine is doing it now
sorry to hear it but you are under warranty.
Its happening so frequently because new vehicles are complete junk. My 2007 Dodge ram 3500 has 350k miles on it and the 4wd works everytime with the electric shifter
Yep, probably the water intrusion that damages the electric components.
@LandingZoneHome it is designed to fail. I work on vehicles for a living and the newer the vehicle the shorter the life expectancy of all of the components. Planned obsolescence is at an astonishing level with everything.
it shust off well driveing
I assume it happened because you never used it.
Haha, good one. :)
Guess thats what is wrong with mine also? But wait I use mine about every time its moved. 16K on my 22 3500 and had this issue today. Sad part is, if it will not go into 4x4. I'm out a wrecker call. Dually will not move in loose gravel pulling a boat. To the video poster, Thanks for the heads up. Mine's still under warranty. Will get it in this week.