I have a 99 Ram 2500 with a CTD and a dana 60 front axle. The problem i am having is that the transfer case will go into all ranges but the front axle is not engaging. Untill this point when in 4wheel drive my 4x4 would flicker from time to time but now does not come on at all. I checked at the actuator(think thats whats its called) it is getting vacuum to one of the small lines. I checked and there is no power to the electrical plug on the side. Not sure if there is supposed to be. Also i had the truck in the air and put power and ground to either side of the connector with no change. Any help is greatly appreciated. i drive alot of hairy coastal loggin roads and without my 4x4 i might be in trouble.

 

Sounds like the apply fork in the CAD may be broken, or you have a problem with the vacuum cylinder. I believe the wires are for the microswitch inside, but not sure on that point.

 

I had a 95' 4x4 that did the same thing. Your vaccum lines run to a little doo- dad (dont remember what it was called) on the back of your front axle close to the passenger side. Unbolt that and pull it out, your probably gonna lose a little fluid dont worry. The piece that you pull off is a shaft that moves back and forth when your vaccum sucks down and engages the 4 wheel drive. I took mine off and that little plunger was bent and locked in place. Could be that or a bad vaccum seal on your lines(definetely check this first). In my case it was that piece. They are only about $240 at your local auto parts store.

 

The wires are to turn on the 4x4 light when the CAD engages. The vaccum engages the CAD and locks the shaft together. Check and see if you have vaccum to one line when in 2hi and then it should pull on the other side when in 4hi. The truck must be running to check. If the CAD is bad buy a posi lock cable kit and it does away with the vaccum stuf and is the same price. works like lock out hubs, Pull to lock and push to unlock and then you can use low range and be in 2wd good for backing trailers some times.

 

thanks guys. i will probably just buy the manually operated cable kit. thanks again.

 

Where do we get the posi lock cable kit from?