No 4X4 dash light

check the bulb first.
Me wrote:
>Hi all! Got a great 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport extended cab. Seems to be
>great, BUT, when I shift into 4X4 I get no dash light indication. It sure
>SEEMS to be in four wheel drive, but no dash indication. Called Dodge and
>they want to harge me over $50.00 do diagnose it. I figured somebody out
>there must have a clue to tell me what to check before I go pay the
>dealership lots of $$$ to 'fix' something that may be simple. ANY IDEAS???
>THANKS!
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

> check the bulb first.

Easier to futz with the connector on the CAD than to pull the cluster out
and apart.
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

Good point

Tom Lawrence wrote:
>> check the bulb first.
>
>Easier to futz with the connector on the CAD than to pull the cluster out
>and apart.
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

"Tom Lawrence" <tNlOaSwPrAeMnMcIeN5G RemoveThis @earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:Dn0Sg.1463$Y24.877@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> check the bulb first.
>
> Easier to futz with the connector on the CAD than to pull the cluster out
> and apart.
>
>Futz? Another "technical" term, Tom?

Actually, I agree... this is the easiest approach.

;^)

Mike
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

run diagnostics on the unit with the key on-key off 3 times routine
and see if the bulb lights up when all of the dash lights come on.


"Me" <Me.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9849887B351Meyahoocom@216.196.97.142...
> Hi all! Got a great 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport extended cab. Seems to be
> great, BUT, when I shift into 4X4 I get no dash light indication. It sure
> SEEMS to be in four wheel drive, but no dash indication. Called Dodge and
> they want to harge me over $50.00 do diagnose it. I figured somebody out
> there must have a clue to tell me what to check before I go pay the
> dealership lots of $$$ to 'fix' something that may be simple. ANY IDEAS???
> THANKS!
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

> run diagnostics on the unit with the key on-key off 3 times routine
> and see if the bulb lights up when all of the dash lights come on.

I don't know if the '96 had a cluster test. On the newer vehicles ('98 and
up), you would initiate this by holding down the trip odometer reset button
while turning the ignition on, then releasing when it all lit up. Since the
'94-'97 trucks have a mechanical odometer, I doubt this would work.
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

Tom Lawrence wrote:
> > run diagnostics on the unit with the key on-key off 3 times routine
> > and see if the bulb lights up when all of the dash lights come on.
>
> I don't know if the '96 had a cluster test. On the newer vehicles ('98 and
> up), you would initiate this by holding down the trip odometer reset button
> while turning the ignition on, then releasing when it all lit up. Since the
> '94-'97 trucks have a mechanical odometer, I doubt this would work.

My 4X4 dash indicator works when I lock the transfer case on my '99 but
the cluster test doesn't light it up, and it doesn't come on during the
startup bulb check. Maybe a glitch in the programming?
--
Ken
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

The lights that illuminate are the ones controlled by the computer as well
as any critical warning lights and the 4WD light does not fit either
category.

--
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
"Nosey" <ThunderSnake51.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1159429616.226307.49000@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> Tom Lawrence wrote:
> > > run diagnostics on the unit with the key on-key off 3 times routine
> > > and see if the bulb lights up when all of the dash lights come on.
> >
> > I don't know if the '96 had a cluster test. On the newer vehicles ('98
and
> > up), you would initiate this by holding down the trip odometer reset
button
> > while turning the ignition on, then releasing when it all lit up. Since
the
> > '94-'97 trucks have a mechanical odometer, I doubt this would work.
>
> My 4X4 dash indicator works when I lock the transfer case on my '99 but
> the cluster test doesn't light it up, and it doesn't come on during the
> startup bulb check. Maybe a glitch in the programming?
> --
> Ken
>
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

>>> I don't know if the '96 had a cluster test. On the newer vehicles
>>> ('98 and up), you would initiate this by holding down the trip
>>> odometer reset button while turning the ignition on, then releasing
>>> when it all lit up. Since the '94-'97 trucks have a mechanical
>>> odometer, I doubt this would work.
>>
>> My 4X4 dash indicator works when I lock the transfer case on my '99
>> but the cluster test doesn't light it up, and it doesn't come on
>> during the startup bulb check. Maybe a glitch in the programming?
>>
> The lights that illuminate are the ones controlled by the computer as
> well as any critical warning lights and the 4WD light does not fit
> either category.
>
That makes sense. It just seems odd that every light on the dash can be
tested except that one.
--
Ken
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light 

"Tom Lawrence" <tNlOaSwPrAeMnMcIeN5G.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:IJYRg.1343$Y24.891@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net:

>> they want to harge me over $50.00 do diagnose it. I figured somebody
Sorry for the long delay. THIS WAS THE PROBLEM (Great call). I DID take
it to Dodge (Tom Addis Dodge in Coer d'alene ID... stay away from them).
They diagnosed the "actuater" that TRIGGERS the switch as the problm,
and wanted to replace the switch "just to be saf", and as a FREE BONUS
they torqued the fram taking the truck off the lift and cracked my
radiator wide open then tried to say it was pouring water when I brought
it in.... THEN to help me appreciate their helpfulness they charged me
$60.00, then tried to charge me $457.00 for a new radiator instalation.
I declined and went and got a used one for 50 bucks and installed it
myself in an hour.
GET THIS, the 4X4 light NOW WORKS.... sheeesh... I guess the switch
actually just needed to be wiggled.... Man, this is why people HATE
mechanics!

THANKS for the response though you DID call it right!

>> out there must have a clue to tell me what to check before I go pay
>> the dealership lots of $$$ to 'fix' something that may be simple. ANY
>> IDEAS???
>
> Sure. The switch that makes the 4x4 light come on is on the CAD
> (central axle disconnect) on the passenger-side of the front axle.
> You'll see an electrical connection on the side closest to the
> passenger tire. The switch is a plunger-type switch, normally closed,
> but held open by the shift motor when in 2WD mode. Disconnect the
> electrical connector, and short the two pins in the connector (with
> the ignition turned on). If the light comes on, it's a problem with
> the mechanical switch on the CAD. If not, you either have a broken
> wire, or a lamp out in the instrument cluster.
>
> Of course, this is all assuming that you're correct, and 4WD is really
> engaging.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: No 4X4 dash light