96 ram 1500 4X4 problem

I just bought my first dodge and i have been having lots of small problems. the one i need the most help with is my 4x4. It dosent work. When you pull the shifter back the 4x4 wont work and light stays off. What should i check? PLEASE HELP. the truck is a standard cab, automatic with the 360.


ALSO my cruze dosent work. The power light comes on but it wont ingage. are the two problems related?

the first thing I would check is easy for your 4x4. Crawl underneath and make sure your vacumm lines are attached at both ends. One on the front axle the other on the T-case. Most times its a loose connection if not post back. Others may also be able to help.

i checked the vac lines, the red line has suction to the accuator when its not pulled into 4wd then the black line has suction when its pulled back into 4wd. The 4x4 light still stays off, is there a fuse or breaker i can check? I cant seem to find one.


ALSO I found a broken vaccume line that goes from under my air cleaner to a (cruse control part?) under my battery tray, I will go to napa and get a new line tommorrow.

after searching another forum I'm on I found a similar post that might help you diagnos more. Although they ended up with just a broken vac line going up along the tranny to the manifold. It rested along the exhaust and melted a hole in it. But there is more diagnosis on the post that will help you figure out if its the fork not engaging or the cad unit.
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23167&highlight=4x4+problems

EDIT:
Also here is another thread it includes a diagram of the cad unit and shift fork on the front axle.
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143659

There is a 4x4 swith on top of the transfer case and it is a pain in the butt to get to.That is a common part to fail or the the shift for the 4x4 is froze up and that is a common problem too.

I got under it today and checked for vac leaks and I couldnt find any, it still has suction to the accuator in both the red and black lines as i described, could it still be those other componets? I cant afford to throw parts at it. it would seem like everything is working up to the accuator. The previous owner must have tried to take the accuator off because 2 of the 4 bolts are broke off, and there is "smurf poo" around the unit, but no vac leak. I found an accuator in a magazine that gets rid of the whole vac system and makes it a manual action to turn on and off the 4wd. Are those units any good?

I also fixed the broken vac line and the cruz works now..... YESSS.

I got under it today and checked for vac leaks and I couldnt find any, it still has suction to the accuator in both the red and black lines as i described, could it still be those other componets? I cant afford to throw parts at it. it would seem like everything is working up to the accuator. The previous owner must have tried to take the accuator off because 2 of the 4 bolts are broke off, and there is "smurf poo" around the unit, but no vac leak. I found an accuator in a magazine that gets rid of the whole vac system and makes it a manual action to turn on and off the 4wd. Are those units any good?

I'm not sure on the manual actuator I've never used anything except for the stock 4x4 parts on any vehicle so far. I asked a buddy of mine that works at dodge and he basically told me the same thing I already told you to check out.

I have a 97 and my cruise was not working either. The problem was a vacuum line somewhere near the battery. My mechanic said over time battery acid got on the line and corroded it. He said it was an easy fix.
Hope this helps
Chris

That was what it was, the cruze works now, there is another problem not there is a pinging viberating like every 30 seconds, you cant hear it unless you are at an idol. it sounds like a click then the pinging rattle. any ideas???

well i was going nuts not being able to find the problem so i took it to a shop. I will let you know as soon as i get it back. thanks a million for all your help