I bought my truck a few weeks ago. I noticed that when I put it in 4WD, the light on the dash doesn't come on. I just used the odometer reset/turn ignition on technique to test my guages. A few lights didn't come on - most noticeably for this discussion, the 4WD light didn't come on. Before I start tearing my dash apart, does this light actually work on a yr2000 2500 4x4 with a CTD? I would hate to spend a bunch of time taking dash apart to find out this feature isn't supported on this truck. I promise this is my last question for the day and hopefully sometime soon I can actually contribute answers instead of just consuming information.

 

I can't speak for everybody, but I don't think you have anything to apologize for. Ask away, and as your knowledge and experience grows, you will contribute.
I have no idea what the answer is, but I assume this- most 4WD's today have indicator lights. I imagine that yours does too. My 94 does, and even my old 85 Bronco down in Haiti does.
Before I would start tearing apart the dash, I would find the switch that sends the signal to the indicator lamp, and check it. Take the path of easiest to hardest. Check it, rule it out or find it bad, and them move on to the dash.

 

My 02 has....well had, one. Mine went out a couple years ago, but if im driving in an area where i need 4x4, I can tell if its engaged or not. I did some research a while back. If I remember correctly (its been a while) there is a sensor somewhere on the t-case that kicks that light on. More than likely it's bad. I beleive its only like a 15-20 dollar part. Once ya find the sensor, try crossing the contacts to see if that lights it up, if so, bad sensor. As for me, I'm not that concerned about it, so I havent messed with it. I'm more concerned abt my fuel guage being dead.

 

Thanks for help so far but a couple of things. I thought the point of putting the gauges into diagnostic/test mode was that it tested the lights/gauges. If I do the trip reset/ignition on thing, shouldn't that light the 4wd dash light even if the sending unit is fubar? Second thing, even though I have only posted two questions with no help for others ,it doesn't feel right. I am used to being the wrench turning/knuckle busting guy giving the help. I swear I could diagnose the old Chrysler 225 slant 6 with my eyes closed and over the net with only the most basic of symptoms - so thanks for support until I am back up to speed on pentastar world. I can do same for Chevy 305 4x4 but that is no help on this forum. I honestly thought I finally bought my dream truck 3 weeks ago - a 2000 Ram 2500 ext cab and Cummins diesel in black with all the toys. $4,000 later is has a new head, new front-end and it is getting close to my dream. Gimme a year of twisting wrenches again and hopefully I am back to loving Ram trucks again and helping every one else.

 

Yes that light is their and supposed to light. The first thing I would do is make sure your actually in 4 wheel drive before opening the dash. I'm sure you know this but put it in 4 wheel hi or lo and turn on hard pavement, move forward. Front wheels should give you a hard time in binding/chirping. As I recall with my 2000 CTD the only time the light didn't go on was cuz the vacuum line fell off causing the axle to not engage and therefore not turning the light on. If not, pulling the dash out takes two minutes. Very simple. On your other question you can buy programmable remotes on the net. Good Luck.

 

Same thing here

 

This specific light may or may not test. To be sure, I would unplug the connector on the CAD and short the wires and see if the light comes on. If there is no light then you KNOW that is the problem. Sounds backwards, but you gotta be sure....

 

I will find the wires/connector and test today but I have one question about the above posts. Is my 4wd vacuum activated? I didn't think there was a vacuum supply anywhere on a cummins. I also assumed that since I have a big old 2wd/4wd shifter on the floor that my transfer case was manually actuated. Just trying to make sure I understand how things work on this truck. I usually twist my own wrenches but can't do that when I don't know how things work. I definitely need to get my hands on owners manual and shop manual for this truck (yr 2000 Ram 2500 4wd with cummins 24v)

 

CAD system 1994-early2002
http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/4X4/4x4_engagment.htm

 

Just read tech bulleting above. Someone should have told me to pay attention and listen. I was so fixated on the transfer case I wasn't paying attention. Yeah, t-case is manually activated but the front diff (where the senser is is a whole different story. Funny thing, I noticed since I bought the truck that there is a dual wire with a connector hanging down right by the bottom of he rad. Betcha $5 I know what the wire is supposed to be connected to....... (the front diff)

 

Still wondering if you were actually in 4 wheel drive? Front axle engaged? The light comes after wards and getting out of that ditch when you engage the T-case would be 1st on my list. Between sand dunes & snow drifts here, locking in is a weekly affair. I cut back my vacuum lines and zip tied them. And yes my plug fell/pulled out at one time. Let me know if you want me to fax you the owners manual section of the alarm system.

 

Duck Soup - just sent you a pm with my fax number etc. Thanks for help.

 

Check your PM and fax, on it's way.

 

I don't know about yours, but if it were my daughters' 95 or my 96, you just lost 5 bucks. I don't know what it's for, other than maybe driving light set-up, which we don't have.

 

Its (front axle for 2000) not actuated by a wire, its a vacuum tubing set up.

The wires you found are either for the fogs or the quad beam headlights, which your truck probably doesn't have, unless its a "Sport" model.

Go to "User CP" and fill out your sig so we can see what you have. It's at the upper left of the screen, above the advert box.