How do I turn 4wd on? - 2005 Dodge Dakota

Turn on the vehicle.
Hold the brake petal down.
Shift into neutral.
Pull the 4WD lever and shift into 2WD High.

You'll need more then that , you'll also need a professional scan tool to check for code's in the 4X4 control module . You have no clue how this system works , do yourself a favor an take it to a qualified repair shop.
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Systems The 4WD system consists of a power take off unit (PTU), rear driveshaft, coupling device control module (4WD control module) and a rear axle with coupling device.
4WD Indicator Light 4WD - Illuminates continuously when the 4WD system is locked in 4WD due to its heat protection mode. In the locked mode, the vehicle resists turning and binds up when driven on dry pavement. To exit the locked mode, stop the vehicle and allow it to cool for 5 minutes with the engine running. When the 4WD indicator turns OFF, normal 4WD system function is restored.
4WD - Blinks continuously when the 4WD system is disabled due to its heat protection mode. To exit the disabled mode, stop the vehicle and allow it to cool for 5 minutes with the engine running. When the indicator turns OFF, normal 4WD system function is restored.
4WD - Blinks 3, 6, 8 or 10 times every minute when the 4WD system requires service. Use a scan tool to check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Refer to the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Control Module Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index in this section.
Principles of Operation
The vehicle is equipped with an intelligent 4-wheel drive (4WD) system that is always active and requires no driver input. The system has no mode select switch. The system combines transparent all-surface operation with highly capable 4WD, and is capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway driving as well as off-road and winter driving.
The 4WD system continuously monitors vehicle conditions and automatically adjusts the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. During normal operation, most of the torque is sent to the front wheels. If wheel slip between the front and rear wheels is detected, or if the vehicle is under heavy acceleration (high throttle position), the 4WD system increases torque to the rear wheels to prevent or control wheel slip.
The 4WD control module varies the torque sent to the rear wheels by varying a pulse-width modulated current to the clutch in the rear axle. The 4WD control module also provides the brake system with its current clutch duty cycle and whether or not the brake system may take command of the clutch duty cycle.
NOTE: The active torque coupling is not repairable. If replacement is required, the active torque coupling and rear axle are replaced as an assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 205-02 .
The PTU is a gearbox that attaches to the transaxle.
On automatic transaxle vehicles, the RH halfshaft passes through the transfer case and engages the differential side gear as in normal FWD applications. The transaxle differential drives the PTU.
On manual transmission vehicles, the PTU is directly driven by a gear in the transmission. The halfshaft/intermediate shaft connects directly to the transmission differential by passing through the PTU. The PTU then drives the driveshaft at all times. The driveshaft drives one half of the rear axle clutch pack. The other half of the rear axle clutch pack drives the rear axle ring and pinion.
NOTE: PTU repair is limited to seals, gaskets and output flanges. If any of the geared components, bearings, case cover or internal shafts fail, a new transfer case must be installed.
The PTU is sealed from the transaxle and has its own oil sump. The PTU on an automatic transaxle vehicle uses 355 ml (12 oz.) of SAE 75W-140 gear lubricant. The PTU on a manual transaxle vehicle uses 350 ml (12 oz.) of SAE 80W-90 gear lubricant.
The active, on-demand 4WD system uses data from other systems as inputs to the 4WD control module. The 4WD control module uses the inputs to determine the appropriate amount of current to send to the active torque coupling that delivers the desired torque to the rear wheels. Specific inputs to the 4WD control module are:

• throttle position.
• transaxle range from the powertrain control module (PCM).
• brake system status from the anti-lock brake system (ABS).
• wheel speed from all 4 wheels from the ABS.

Some outputs of the 4WD control module are:

• solid-state clutch (pulse-width modulated signal) to the active torque coupling.
• 4WD indicator received by the instrument cluster.
• percent of torque transfer commanded signal to the PCM.
• torque request available signal to the ABS.

Heat Protection Mode During very extreme off-road operation, the 4WD system has a heat protection system to protect the active torque coupling from damage. If the system detects an overheat condition, it enters a locked mode and turns on the 4WD indicator light in the instrument cluster. If the heat in the system continues to rise once in the locked mode, the 4WD control module disables the active torque coupling and causes the 4WD indicator light to flash continuously.
4WD Indicator Light 4WD - Illuminates continuously when the 4WD system is locked in 4WD due to its heat protection mode. In the locked mode, the vehicle resists turning and binds up when driven on dry pavement. To exit the locked mode, stop the vehicle and allow it to cool for 5 minutes with the engine running. When the 4WD indicator turns OFF, normal 4WD system function is restored.
4WD - Blinks continuously when the 4WD system is disabled due to its heat protection mode. To exit the disabled mode, stop the vehicle and allow it to cool for 5 minutes with the engine running. When the indicator turns OFF, normal 4WD system function is restored.
4WD - Blinks 3, 6, 8 or 10 times every minute when the 4WD system requires service. Use a scan tool to check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Refer to the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Control Module Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index in this section.


Blinks Cause 3 Cluster is not receiving the 4WD indicator message from the 4WD control module 6 Invalid throttle position data received from the PCM 8 Invalid wheel speed data received from the ABS module 10 Active torque coupling circuit fault

Does the driveshaft for the front wheels turn when in 4wd? The actuater might work but the diff lock for the front wheels might have broken. If the front driveshaft does not turn when in 4wd, the transfer case might be the problem.

when the 4WD light comes on you more likely have problems in the 4WD low switch circuit.well this is a dealership fix.because your 4WD is pcm controlled.when 4WD light turn on pcm detected the transfer case ratio was 0.8 - 1.2 or during condition 2 with the 4WD low switch not in 4WD low, transfer case in 4WD low,tcc commanded on, tcc slip speed from 100 to 3000 rpm, the pcm detected the transfer case ratio was 2.5 - 2.9 all conditions met for 10 seconds.see dealership has to check.many things will cause your 4WD light to turn on.dealership has to hook up diagnostic equipment to find your problem and fix it.hate to tell you.they will charge $100.00 or more to trouble shoot.then charge for labor and new part.call around and get a price check.it will be good if your vechicle has a extended warranty.

If the tech 2 device is indicating the code for 4wd module then it has to be replaced.Get the module and its connections checked before going to replace the module.If the module connections are getting short or loose then getting the connections repaired solves the problem.But most probably when it shows module problem,the module has to be replaced.The actual testing procedure is as follows:--- If you have an ODBII code reader, you can check if there are any codes stored in the ECU. There is also a diagnostics mode you can go into for transfer case issues:

1. Warm up the engine. Turn it off.
2. Turn the ignition switch on and off at least twice, then turn the ignition switch to off.
3. Shift into park.
4. Turn the 4WD selector to Auto.
5. Turn the ignition switch to on. Do not start engine.
6. Is the 4WD warning lamp on? Continue if no.
7. Shift into reverse.
8. Turn the 4WD selector to 2WD, Auto, 2WD.
9. Shift into drive.
10. Turn the 4WD selector to 4H, Auto, 4H.
11. Shift into neutral.
12. Turn the 4WD selector to Auto.
13. Shift into park.
14. The 4WD indicator light will come on for 2.5 seconds, then go out. It will then flash a series of times to represent a one or two digit code, with half-second delays within a number and 1 second delay between numbers. e.g. to represent the code 23, it will flash twice with 0.5 seconds between flashes, wait a second, then flash three times with 0.5 seconds between them.Get it rechecked again by disconnecting the 4wd module and reconnecting again,. --------------------Thank you.

Your Bulb Behind The 4wd Light.

Lift and support the front of the truck so the front wheels are off the ground.
Key on, engage 4x4 and try to turn the front drive shaft.
If it turns it is a problem with the transfer case.
If it doesn't it is a front axle engagement problem.

If you have a 4WD on your Laredo (mostly this version is sold as 2WD - rear wheel drive), you can't turn them off. The Granny with 4WD has a All Time 4WD. The only way to turn it off is to remove the drive shaft and close the hole in the gearbox...smile..

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Hope this helps you

Don't mess with it!!!!! Your new vehicle has a warranty. Get back to the dealer ASAP and don't take anything apart. You paid good money .... let them tear their hair out.....that's what they get paid for!!!!