Front Axle Locker Actuator

Son bought dad's 2014 3500 4x4. Traveling back to TX service 4wd yellow light came on and also on dash. Connection looked good, what is the fix if any besides bending over for a new part?

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Diagnose it first before firing the parts cannon?

 

Hooked up his scanner and I believe two things said actuator.

 

Check the actuator for power and movement. It takes a beating on the axle! This is why it's recommended to engage the 4x4 several times a year when on gravel or in the yard. Just remember to back straight up to make sure it's fully disengaged! Hope you don't need the part.

 

Id probably pull the actuator and confirm everything is moving and in good service at a minimum, Im not sure about the layout, but I assume its similar to the turbo actuator with a sliding collar?

 

He ended up getting a Dorman from SCAMAZON with free returns for $175 and a lifetime warranty from Dorman. Cant go wrong with that.

 

Usually Dorman stuff isn't the worst, just got a new fan blade from them.
Same with power window switches and a PW motor.

 

See my post from a few months ago: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/4wd-serv.274908/

 

Sent this to my son. Thanks

 

I put a Dorman cam sensor in one of the Subaru's I built and it ran terrible and was setting random misfires. I replaced it because I damaged the OEM sensor when I disassembled the engine. I checked all the other potential causes and decided to install the OEM sensor and it was still running great when I sold it.

 

why. the aam genuine is only $160 and takes about 10min to change. 10yrs isnt bad since he probly let the grease turn into tar

 

please give me a AAM part number and source.

still trying to figure it out but it looks like OE wasn’t bad.

 

Thanks to Amazon for the return option then.

Part# is in the above posted Link as I asked for it then.

 

14-18 https://cmgearworks.com/product/201...front-axle-electric-disconnect-fork-assembly/

19+ https://cmgearworks.com/product/2020-dodge-ram-2500-3500-4x4-front-axle-shift-motor-actuator/

cm gearworks is probly the best place for genuine aam parts

 

And very competitive pricing, I'd always go OEM where it really counts.

 

In all my searches the OE never came up. Sad the best price on MOPAR/AAM was $450.

 

Mystery continues. Dorman gives the same codes as the OE in the 14. Son took the Dorman and put in his 15 and wala the code appeared on it also. SOOOOO, that tells us the Dorman is bad also. I hadn't mentioned it but the one bought was "used" for a better price on AMAZON. I have done so with several products that simply had been returned with no damage.

So the AAM OE unit was ordered last night and hope that puts this saga to bed.

 

Someone sent his bad one back, after ordering another one..
I had this problem too with something else.

I hate it if people take advantage in that way from the Amazon system to get free parts.

 

It seems that many folks have mentioned that 4wd actuator warnings were often one a of a few random signs that the batteries were going bad.

Have you verified if the actuator is actually not working?

 

Not sure on that question but New Costco Interstates just before the trip back to TX.