12 problems related to transfer case have been reported for the 2005 Dodge Dakota. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Service 4wd light keeps coming on and I was watching it and notice the 4 low light blinked on once. Nothing seems to be wrong with the transfer case but I think it wanting to go into 4wd on its own. The serv 4wd light stays on at times and other times after awhile it will go off but later come back on.
Approximately two weeks ago from this complaint, while driving the aforementioned vehicle (2005 Dodge Dakota) during normal, summer time road conditions, writer noticed that the "svc 4wd" warning indicator light illuminated. Light remained illuminated for approximately 3 miles before turning off. Light didn't illuminate again until Sunday, 09/09/2018. When unlocking the vehicle using the vehicle's remote unlock on the key, writer noticed a sound that sounded like the vehicle engaging the four wheel drive mechanisms. Writer started the vehicle, noted that the vehicle was not in four wheel drive, and the service light was not illuminated. During the course of this week, the service light has intermittently illuminated on occasion, remaining on for a short period of time, then turns off. Today, 09/14/2018, when leaving my work for an errand, I noted that the "svc 4wd" light was illuminated immediately after starting the vehicle. Writer noted that the vehicle was also, in fact, in four wheel drive, as the vehicle was "skipping" the tires while turning and exhibiting signs of a vehicle in 4 wheel drive while driving on dry pavement. Writer noted that the "4wd control knob" was in the 2wd position. Writer parked the vehicle and made several attempts, while both in park and neutral, to engage the 4wd and disengage using the 4wd control knob. None of these actions were able to disengage the transfer case. Writer drove the vehicle to my destination, (approximately 3 miles), noting upon my arrival that the service light was no longer illuminated and the vehicle was not in four wheel drive any longer. Writer also notes electrical symptoms such as vehicle now honks after locking with the remote lock on the key. Complaint is concerning spontaneous engagement of the four wheel drive mechanism, without cause, possibly related to defects associated with the tipm.
The transfer case on this vehicle will randomly shift from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive or even to 4 wheel drive low range with no driver input. Shifting to 4 low is very dangerous as it tends to lock up the drive train which could result in loss of control of the vehicle.
Randomly, the 4 wheel drive will engage when not selected. So far this has only happened at low speed (in parking lots). I can tell it is engaged because I get wheel slippage while turning. After straightening the truck and shifting to neutral, the problem will be resolved. Additionally, the "service 4wd" light or "4lo" lights will illuminate while driving, but the transfer case does not appear to actually shift. No damage to drive train so far. Thirdly, the transfer case will shift while the truck is parked in the driveway, the ignition is off, and the key removed, with no-one in the vehicle. I can hear the shift motor trying to engage.
Transfer case shifting into 4 wheel drive on its own. You can sometimes here it shifting when you open the door no key even in the car yet ? it tries to shift into 4 wheel drive at all speeds . It sometimes goes into 4 wheel drive when turning at low speeds ? I don't have a problem paying to fix the problem but no one seems to have a solution ? change front control module?, transfer case shift motor?,change wiring from module to transfer case ? change 4 wheel drive selector switch . Which one, where do you start . Need help! should be a recall. Seem's very dangerous . Sounds like hundreds with the same issue and no answer's .
The 4wd transfer case motor sometimes operates while the vehicle is off, after doors are unlocked with the key fob. The 4wd randomly & spontaneously attempts to engage at highway speeds without any 4wd-related indicator lights. There is a moment of resistance - like an extreme headwind, then a violent thud in the drivetrain when it disengages. At times there is a rolling pulsation in the drivetrain, as if the 4wd is attempting to engage over longer distances. Engaging 4wd unexpectedly at highway speed could cause catastrophic failure of the drivetrain, loss of vehicle control, and potentially serious accidents. This complaint is posted literally thousands of times on internet forums and should be investigated.
The 2005 Dakota began showing a service light on the dashboard instrument panel, indicating to service the 4-wheel drive system. Service light was intermittent but frequent, and continues today!. Four wheel drive gears would engage and disengage on there own, and the 4-wheel drive selector switch proved useless to disengage the 4-wheel drive upon choosing the various settings. Upon turning off the vehicle and exiting with the vehicle in park, the transfer case can be heard attempting to engage the 4-wheel drive gears, even with the key in the off position and after a number of seconds have passed. This would prove very hazardous if the vehicle self-engaged into 4-wheel drive at highway speeds, especially if it occurred and engaged the "lo-4-wheel drive" function, which would likely cause loss of control/steering and possibly damage to the rear chunk/differential resulting in highway debris. I see and read many instances from consumers on the internet about this problem in Dodge 4-wheel drive products from 2001 thru 2009, and it is supposedly caused by an electrical mechanism called the tccm or ipm (dependent upon your model) and which purportedly controls the transfer case motor that engages the 4-wheel drive.
"4lo" intermittently flashes when traveling at speed. "svc 4wd" may come on and go out for a few seconds, following by "4lock" flashing for a second or two. 4wd will engage/disengage on it's own with no indication. Transfer case motor will engage/disengage on it's own while vehicle is parked, turned off, and key out of the ignition. Today, the 4wd engaged and bound up the wheels. Transfer case was overheating. Pulled in parking lot and can manually "4lock", then "2hi", then pulled fcm fuse to disable 4wd. Manufacturer and dealer have not been contacted at this time.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Dakota. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle forward drive activated independently and unknown warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case connection motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Vehicle while on highway would flash 4lo on dash or illuminate svc 4wd. Vehicle at highway speeds would attempt to engage 4lo as well. While engaging, vehicle would lose acceleration and rpms would immediately increase. This would cause loss of control of the vehicle. With vehicle off and key removed, transfer case motor would try to change transfer case position. None of these symptoms occurred while 4wd was engaged using selector switch. Vehicle was taken to dealer for service. Codes recorded in computer were for transfer case position sensor being out of range. (both high and low values were recorded simultaneously) dealer originally found leads on fcm connector between wiring harness and pcb had corroded due to faulty sealant and were possibly shorting out. Manufacturer was made aware of fault. Manufacturer replaced fcm at no cost. After fcm was replaced vehicle would still exhibit symptoms. Vehicle was taken back to same dealer. After several days of testing, tech was able to get vehicle to exhibit symptoms in shop. Tech found that the range position sensor was failing. It was found that vibration would cause the sensor to short out or go open. Manufacturer was made aware but would not cover repair. Transfer case motor assembly was replaced at cost to customer. Vehicle has since been driven over 2000 miles without further issues.
Upon slowing to enter a garage the truck slowed further as if it was about to stall (svc 4wd dash light came on) but regained power. After parking, the truck was turned off but I began to hear mechanical noises from the undercarriage. When departing later in the day, the same slowing motion started as I emerged from the garage but the truck regained full power and operated normally. After arriving home, I parked and locked the truck from my key fob but again the undercarriage noises started again and sounded like the power locks were running amok. A couple days later, the same occurrence. Took the truck to my trusted garage (not a Dodge dealer) who called Dodge (no clue) and another mechanic hotline service to check for any technical service bulletins/recalls, but no good results. Next, the chief mechanic road tested the truck and could not replicate the undercarriage noise but did see the svc 4wd dash light. The truck was returned with an admonishment to return if it crops up again. Two days later it did and I return where upon driving up, the chief mechanic heard the noises and declared it was trying to shift into 4wd. By this time I was seeing the 4 hi dash light in addition to the other warning light. The team at the garage went back to work and contacted another mechanic helpline that wasted no time in identifying the issue. As a matter of fact, after explaining the situation the helpline guy asked if the truck had rolled on it's own - because if it has not it would eventually. This is supposed to be a documented problem in these truck that Dodge has not seen fit to fix/recall for safety. Fix was test and replace the transfer case shift motor assembly.
: the contact stated when engaging the 4-wheel drive as long as the vehicle was going straight it worked. The more the contact turned the steering wheel to the left or right the wheels tended to stick and not want to roll. The front wheels tended to lock if turning it all the way to right or left. If vehicle was off road and going down grassy surface and had to turn the wheel, the back wheels will push the vehicle or contact was unable to steer vehicle where he wanted to go. If vehicle was on a pavement it just lock or froze up. The vehicle was seen by the dealer, who determined it was the normal function of the 4-wheel drive.