1992 Dakota NO 4x4 working

jkevin5 · 03-11-2008, 04:01 PM

My 1992 Dakota will not engage into 4x4. The front end does not engage ... is there a fuse or should I look for other problems?... such as linkage adjustments. This is my first Dodge and also my first 4x4. The console light does not light and neither 4/high or 4/low work. Also how do I reset the dash light (red one that says MAIN REQD) so it will go out...it's buggin' the heck outta me. I have a Haines book but I don't find the info I need to correct my situations.....
Kevin

crabtruck · 03-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Welcome to the forum Kevin.
Somewhat guessing here with not much exp on Daks, but it sounds electrical.
However that could be fuse (random failure) or more likely, whatever caused the fuse to blow.
Generally that console will light with the same power that is used to actuate the 4w.
Find your 4w fuse and replace. Look for the actuator and unplug it.
Try 4w, if console on and fuse doesn't blow, check the actuator plug is getting voltage.
If so, replug actuator. If the fuse blows then, there you go.
Some of these setups have one more switch in between, but you should be able to follow the wires underneath.

stumpuller454 · 03-11-2008, 05:23 PM

dodges commonly had vaucuum actuated 4WD systems, is very comon to have a hose rubbed through or melted through at rear of engine, check all vacuum lines on engine and down to switch on top of t-case and the line going to actuator on front diff. (if of course you have the vacuum system which i pretty certain, not 100% but close.) sometimes they had steel lines across crossmember and they would rust out. and as for the main. req. light could be a result of vacuum loss from leak, is like a service engine soon light, should get her scanned,...

jkevin5 · 03-11-2008, 06:03 PM

Thanks guys.... I'll spend some time this weekend playin' round with it. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SUGGESTIONS feel free to pass it along........ :>)K

crabtruck · 03-11-2008, 07:24 PM

Since it's older like the OBD-I style you can probably pull codes yourself. Read through your haines for that. Diagnostics etc.

jkevin5 · 03-28-2008, 08:32 AM

Kevin back, Took rig to Co. that replaced the tranny when I first bought it. The truck sat for 8 mos. because it wouldn't start all the time. found that the nuetral safety switch was not fully plugged in (hard to fix a parttime problem.) Since this was diagnosed I returned it to them re: the 4x4 situation. Guess what ........... a vacuum line had come off, too.! Problem fixed and now it's snowin'....Time to try it out.
Thanks guys for your input, :>)K

03-11-2008, 04:01 PM	#1
jkevin5 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4	1992 Dakota NO 4x4 working My 1992 Dakota will not engage into 4x4. The front end does not engage ... is there a fuse or should I look for other problems?... such as linkage adjustments. This is my first Dodge and also my first 4x4. The console light does not light and neither 4/high or 4/low work. Also how do I reset the dash light (red one that says MAIN REQD) so it will go out...it's buggin' the heck outta me. I have a Haines book but I don't find the info I need to correct my situations..... Kevin Last edited by jkevin5; 03-11-2008 at 04:23 PM.

03-11-2008, 06:03 PM	#4
jkevin5 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4	No 4x4 Thanks guys.... I'll spend some time this weekend playin' round with it. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SUGGESTIONS feel free to pass it along........ :>)K

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
4x4 still not working help!	ddraszt	GMC Truck Forum	2	02-12-2008 11:38 PM
heater not working	jasonv100	Chevy Truck Forum	4	12-11-2007 02:51 AM
4x4 not working	mook6979	Chevy Truck Forum	2	08-19-2007 11:01 PM
Tow/haul not working	can-amsledder	Chevy Truck Forum	3	04-07-2007 04:55 PM
Lights not working :)	PickUpGirl787	Chevy Truck Forum	9	04-02-2007 03:10 PM

03-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#2
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,364	Welcome to the forum Kevin. Somewhat guessing here with not much exp on Daks, but it sounds electrical. However that could be fuse (random failure) or more likely, whatever caused the fuse to blow. Generally that console will light with the same power that is used to actuate the 4w. Find your 4w fuse and replace. Look for the actuator and unplug it. Try 4w, if console on and fuse doesn't blow, check the actuator plug is getting voltage. If so, replug actuator. If the fuse blows then, there you go. Some of these setups have one more switch in between, but you should be able to follow the wires underneath.

03-11-2008, 05:23 PM	#3
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,043	dodges commonly had vaucuum actuated 4WD systems, is very comon to have a hose rubbed through or melted through at rear of engine, check all vacuum lines on engine and down to switch on top of t-case and the line going to actuator on front diff. (if of course you have the vacuum system which i pretty certain, not 100% but close.) sometimes they had steel lines across crossmember and they would rust out. and as for the main. req. light could be a result of vacuum loss from leak, is like a service engine soon light, should get her scanned,...

03-11-2008, 07:24 PM	#5
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,364	Since it's older like the OBD-I style you can probably pull codes yourself. Read through your haines for that. Diagnostics etc.

03-28-2008, 08:32 AM	#6
jkevin5 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4	Kevin back, Took rig to Co. that replaced the tranny when I first bought it. The truck sat for 8 mos. because it wouldn't start all the time. found that the nuetral safety switch was not fully plugged in (hard to fix a parttime problem.) Since this was diagnosed I returned it to them re: the 4x4 situation. Guess what ........... a vacuum line had come off, too.! Problem fixed and now it's snowin'....Time to try it out. Thanks guys for your input, :>)K