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Posted on Sep 17, 2009
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2001 Dodge Dakota 4wd Auto w/4.7 Need to reset 4wd unit so 4wd will work. Service 4wd light was on. Disconnected battery for a while and cleared 4wd light but the dash selector for 2wd/4wd doesn't have light or work. I suspect it is in a default mode 2wd only. Had this problem once before and dealer took me for $200 saying it needed a computer upgrade. It worked again but there should be a way for me to reset it? No code showed on the computer before clearing it. I just replaced the heater resistor and now the 4wd quit working?!! email: [email protected]

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  • dodge73dart Sep 17, 2009

    I would think that but this has happened before and only needed to have the code cleared.
    The first time this happened I thought the switch was bad.
    Keep in mind no Service 4WD light was on at that time but the 4WD switch had no light and would not respond.

    I think the problem had something to do with the disconnect I had on the battery. When not in use for long periods I was disconnecting the battery. Finally when I reconnected the battery the 4WD switch quit working.

    This time I was traveling and first got a Check engine light because the fuel cap was loose. I cleared the code by removing fuses and had no further problem.
    Next day the AC fan quit working and I found that the resistor was bad. While looking for the problem the fan switch in the dash was disconnected to test for power.
    After the repair was completed I got the Service 4WD light the next day and the switch was not working.

    I checked for trouble codes and found none.

    I searched the net and found info about clearing the Service 4WD light.
    Light cleared after disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes but still no 4WD because the switch is not responding and no light. (think I got bad info cause now trouble code is probably lost!)

    My feelings are that the system has switched into a default mode which is 2WD.

    Do you know how to get the switch responding again or get the system back on line without a trip to the dealer?
    Unfortunately the dealers in this area are blood thirsty and I prefer not to give them any of my hard earned money!
    I have a simple code reader but if it takes a more advanced reader then so be it I will buy one before I will pay them. I also have a laptop computer that I could data link it a connector and program if that would be an option.

    Thanks again and I look forward to your response,
    Richard


  • dodge73dart Sep 23, 2009

    .
    Finally after much research and a trip to another mechanic I found what the problem was. It was something that I always suspected.
    Are you a certified Dodge mechanic and do you get paid for your input?
    Please reply and we may discuss the correct fix and optional fix further.
    Thanks,
    Richard



  • dodge73dart Sep 23, 2009

    Dodge Tech central has not yet released this info to customers or dealers but there is a voltage problem with the computer system.
    No where in any service manuals, owners manuals or service bulletin about this problem.


    Anytime when disconnecting a battery a secondary voltage needs to be provided to the system.
    The dealer tech suggested using a jumper from a small battery and hooking it to the cigarette lighter.
    This will provide enough back up voltage to the system to retain memory and save having to flash (upgrade) the system again.

    I have spoke to other Dodge owners and they two have been charged for a repair when in fact it should have been covered at no charge due to Chrysler's failure to either correct or inform of the problem.

    At present I am awaiting a decision from Chrysler about refunding the amount for repair.

    Dealer Tech did a BCM update and now the system can communicate with the TCCM. I am concerned however that they said that if it happens again such a repair may not be possible since it has no further updates available. I didn't ask if the previous update could be used to wake up the BCM again.

    I have done other research and found that the system can be bypassed by disconnecting the TCCM and providing a current to the transfer case module in turn engaging the 4WD.



    I will probably remove the dash mounted switch and replace it with a 4 position switch. This could control for netural, 2wd, 2wdh and 2wdL. I am pretty sure the black larger pin(s) connector on the TCCM should be the ones that control the TCM.

    This would do away with the TCCM and the need to spend many $$$ on useless repairs.

    I will say that if I had do do it all over again I would have found a left over 2000 model with the manual 4WD floor shift.
    I have always been a firm believer that the more bells and whistles only add up to possible failures.
    I have no regret about ordering this truck with crank up windows and manual door locks. No window motors etc to replace.

    Thanks again and hopefully you know how to spread the word about the voltage problem.
    Richard


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  • Master 3,741 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 18, 2009
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If the buttons are not lighting it likely means a bad switch. Usually if the encoder (shift) motor fails, the buttons will flash to let you know there is problem. Check for power at the switch and if it's there, you probably need a switch.it flashes while everything moves into place, once it locks in, the light should be on steady after that. Unless you have lost power to the switch, no lights is usually a switch failure.
In most cases if the encoder motor has a failure the system picks it up and flashes the lights continuously when trying to engage 4WD.
--------------- also try reset: unplug the fuse, take off the pos lead at the batt, ground the pos batt lead against the eng for a moment, reinatall the lead + fuse, try 4wd. --------------- check out the wires of the battery and the tccm (motor wirings)if any of the wires get loose the 4wd stops working.remove and reinsert wires very tightly.then check out/. --------------------------- thanks.this will help.please do rate the solution.thank you for using fixya.keep updated

  • 1 more comment 
  • Anonymous Sep 23, 2009

    yes,plese update so we can discuss further to solve the issue.

  • Anonymous Sep 23, 2009

    it was a good update.and thanks for letting us know the details which you received from the service center.

    --------

    thanks again.

    ---------

  • Anonymous Nov 06, 2019

    where is the fuse located

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Marvin

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  • Dodge Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 17, 2009
Marvin
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This light is not on because u need a reset of the 4X4, it is on because a fault has occurred in the engagement motor drive located on the transfer case, this is a common problem, and yes you will need to have the dealer test the 4 wheel drive module for the trouble code that will indicate the problem, I am sure about this but you may disconnect the battery and see what happens, most likely nothing, these things do wear out, replaced 100's of these units.

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