Do you quickly start worrying about an expensive repair when your Dodge Ram 1500 4WD light starts flashing on the dashboard? Well, vehicles with four-wheel drive features provide an excellent driving experience regardless of the road conditions and weather throughout the year. But how would you do a Dodge Ram 1500 service 4WD light reset?
First, remove the dashboard bezel and knee pad, and afterward, drag the switch unit to turn off the service 4-wheel-drive light. Start your Dodge Ram 1500 and check whether the warning light remains on after disconnecting the gray boxes wires. If yes, remove the negative line from the battery and leave it in that position for about one hour. This should turn off the light.
The problem with the service 4X4 light flashing is a common occurrence. And knowing how to deal with the issue helps you not to freak out whenever it happens. So, go ahead to get more detailed ideas about it.
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What is 4WD?
A vehicle’s powertrain can be classified as front-wheel, rear-wheel, four-wheel, or all-wheel. This innovative classification shows how the wheels collaborate to give your vehicle its best possible power. The four-wheel drive system is among the most prevalent varieties of drivetrains. Through this system, the engine keeps shooting power to all 4 wheels simultaneously.
Dodge Ram 1500 with four-wheel-drive feature provides additional stability and traction, allowing you control in rougher terrain and extreme conditions. A 4WD Ram considerably enhances the vehicle’s ability to retain traction and preserve control across challenging terrain, including vertical inclines, uneven roads, and other obstacles.
How to Do a Dodge Ram 1500 Service 4WD Light Reset?
To clear the service 4wd indicator, you must either turn it off or reset it. Follow these simple steps to reset the service light on your 4WD system:
Step-01: Verify the service indicator is malfunctioning before beginning disassembly. Inspect the lighting as a first step. Is there a way to tell whether the indicator is on or not?
A Service 4wd or Serv 4wd indicator light should be visible on your Dodge Ram’s dashboard. The light may manifest itself in a number of different ways, like flashing or showing on in red. After identifying the signal, you may proceed to the next step.
Step-02: The following step is to remove the dashboard bezel and knee bolster or pad. Once you’re sure that the 4X4 SVC light needs to be reset, remove the dashboard bezel by simply snapping it out.
However, you may need a screwdriver to remove the vehicle’s knee bolster. Unscrew the lower portion’s screws and take them out.
Step-03 : Now, it’s time to detach the switch panel. Though it’s an easy process, you must be cautious. Pull on it equally from all four sides to avoid breaking the switch assembly. Otherwise, the switch assembly may get damaged.
Step-04: Disassemble the module of the Transfer Case Control. Check out the two cables that are attached to a small gray box. Here, you’ll need to disengage the cables.
After finishing this section, start your vehicle and check whether the 4wd indicator light remains illuminated. Since most of the time, the problem lies with the Transfer Case Control Module. Hopefully, this procedure fixes the issue.
Step-05: But, if disconnecting the TCCM doesn’t help, taking off the negative wires of the vehicle’s battery can give a solution. By using your Dodge Ram 1500 manual, you can spot its battery.
Take out the negative wires from the battery and, in this condition, leave your vehicle to rest for a minimum of one hour. Then you may start your automobile again after reconnecting the negative wire. If the first method fails, this one should solve the problem.
But be ready to be let down since this strategy doesn’t always work. There are a variety of circumstances that might trigger the Service 4wd warning light. Therefore, you should contact customer assistance if the issue persists.
What Does the Dodge Ram 1500 Service 4WD Light Message Mean?
Having your Dodge Ram’s dashboard light up with a notification may be a stressful experience, especially when you must be aware of the severity of the warning. The Dodge Ram 1500 Service 4WD Light message means a problem with the four-wheel-drive system that needs immediate attention.
When the 4WD light message shows on, it disables the 4WD system for the rest of the driving cycle. Usually, you keep your Dodge Ram in a 4WD auto while there is a lot of snow and slush on the drive home. But you still can get the 4WD SVC light instead of the 4WD Auto light.
Additionally, at the time of driving, mainly while spinning on snow or followed by acceleration on the highway, you may notice the 4WD light and message pops on and off. Or, you may notice your Dodge Ram’s transmission would randomly shift in and out of the 4-wheel lock, and the 4WD SVC light may flash on intermittently.
Common Symptoms of 4WD Problems
- Lower traction in slippery conditions like mud or snow
- A rattling sound whenever the 4WD mode was enabled
- An illuminated warning light for Service 4WD
- Unable to deactivate 4WD flashing on
- severe wear on the front tires (4WD cannot be disengaged)
- excessive consumption of fuel with a failure to deactivate the 4-wheel drive.
- Due to inadequate power, the 4WD system would not disengage.
Let’s find out now what are the reasons behind these symptoms that cause Dodge Ram 1500 service 4WD light on.
Reasons Behind the Service 4WD light On
01. Insufficient completion of the gear shift
A gear change that was not completed properly can be a potential cause of this indicator light. But, this can be confusing and harmful for the Dodge Ram engine. Also, it might cause the 4WD service light to flash constantly. To prevent this problem, ensure a complete shift prior to driving the car.
But, if the service light still shows on even after changing the gear correctly, it’s time to take your Dodge Ram to a qualified technician for checking.
02. Programming Malfunction
If the 4WD indicator keeps flashing, there may be something wrong with the system. Any driver may find that particular notice quite irritating and challenging to deal with. Automobiles are equipped with inbuilt computers capable of reading every motion the vehicle makes.
A vehicle’s onboard computer, just like any other kind of computer, is susceptible to programming errors that might set off an alarm. The frequency of the light flashes might help you figure out whether the issue is electronic or mechanical.
Problems with the computer are often the cause of other, more subtle problems inside the vehicle. Therefore, these concerns must be taken carefully.
03. Transfer Case Overheats
The transfer case breaks apart the power distribution between the forepart and back part axles. Spinning the wheels without forward motion or being stuck to a point wherein you can’t even move, continual pressing on the gas pedal may build high heat within the transfer case of your Dodge Ram 1500.
The increased temperature of the transfer case is one of the possible reasons for the 4X4 system not working as per the specifications. And this will cause the 4WD service light to flash.
Often, the flickering light indicates that the system has temporarily shut down to cool down by itself. You should look in your Dodge Ram’s manual to figure out the exact meaning of the flashing service light in this condition.
04. Sensor Problem
The throttle position, wheel speed, transmission speed, and even the actual component placement are all factors that the 4×4 system of your Dodge Ram uses to make decisions. Another possible reason behind the flashing of the 4WD light on the dashboard is the malfunctioning of one or several of these switches or sensors. It neither supplies any data nor sends a signal far off from what is considered normal.
Discuss the possibility of a faulty sensor with your technician before concluding that the transfer case is at fault. The transfer case may need to be dug into it to replace some sensors or switches, whereas others might be conveniently positioned on the exterior.
How to Diagnosis the 4WD System?
At times the 4X4 system of your Dodge Charger might get tricky. Even when everything else seems normal, there can be problems with turning the front wheels. In such a case, you can check the system by yourself.
To do this simple DIY test, park your car in a safe area or parking lot. At first, keep the vehicle on neutral and then swift to the four-wheel drive system. There’ll be noise while the system gets activated. With this system, on, drive the car forward (10-12 ft) from the former position. Because of this, the front wheel hub will be able to engage.
Next, spin the wheels to any side and drive ahead again. You are more likely to experience resistance rather than smooth driving, which is a sign that the four-wheel drive system is functioning well. However, there may be a problem if things go poorly.
4WD Servicing & Repairing
While operating your Dodge Ram 1500 on 4WD, you’re aware that you subject it to significant stress. Vehicles equipped with a 4X4 system travel off-road over rugged terrain and pull large loads; thus, they require proper maintenance regularly to ensure the ability to continue working as effectively as possible.
Off-road vehicles depend heavily on their gearboxes, so you must understand how to identify transmission issues and perform routine maintenance. Get your Dodge Ram checked out if you experience any of the following: difficulty changing gears, chattering or grinding sounds, diminished accelerator power, or transmission problems.
A 4X4 system-enabled vehicle’s transfer case fluid needs to be evacuated and replenished with new oil every 30,000-50,000 miles. It is also necessary to drain and refill the vehicle’s front and back differentials. Differentials enable the axles of both sides of a vehicle for wheel turning at separate speeds.
As a result, the risk of sliding and wheel hopping gets eliminated as the vehicle is maneuvered through corners. Altering the differential oil once after 30,000- 50,000 miles is another necessary maintenance task.
Although the interval between transmission flushes is far longer compared to differential flushes and transfer cases, it is still a good idea to have a transmission flush while having maintenance performed on your 4X4 Dodge Ram. You should get your gearbox flushed every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, this recommendation may vary depending on the manufacturer’s manual.
Last but not least, have a comprehensive multi-spot inspection performed on Dodge Ram’s drivetrain and transmission system so that any potential mechanical problems can be identified and addressed before they become more severe. This is an essential step in prolonging the life of your four-wheel-drive system and your vehicle.
Can I drive with the service 4WD light on?
When the four-wheel drive warning light illuminates, it almost always indicates that there is a problem with the system. When you notice it constantly flashing, immediately place your Dodge Ram 1500 in a safer location and inspect the system. However, if the indicator light turns after a certain amount of time, driving is safe in this situation.
Final Thought
However, most of the time, flashing the 4WD SVC light is nothing to be worried about since it just indicates that it’s operating as intended. This service light illuminates 4X4 system-enabled cars with the demand of traction circumstances.
Without freaking out if the 4WD symbol lights up on the dashboard. Perform this troubleshooting procedure to determine the most likely cause of your car’s problems and follow the Dodge Ram 1500 service 4WD light reset steps. You should always call your technician for a second view if you are in severe danger.
