4wd actuator connector issue

[jtrock123]

All,
I have a 2019 ram 1500 5.7 hemi. Recently I have not been able to get it to go into any 4wd modes. I bought a replacement actuator to replace the old one. I disconnected the old one and connected the new one before installing. It went into 4wd modes immediately. I reconnected the old one and tested, and it went into 4wd mode successfully. I tested a few more times with the old actuator and it started having the same problem. I went to disconnect while it was trying to engage and I felt the actuator engage. After several attempts it seems like the original actuator Is fine, but the connector doesn’t make great contact with the pins. Anyone seen this issue before or know of a recall on the 1500 that replaces this connector?

 

[silver billet]

All,
I have a 2019 ram 1500 5.7 hemi. Recently I have not been able to get it to go into any 4wd modes. I bought a replacement actuator to replace the old one. I disconnected the old one and connected the new one before installing. It went into 4wd modes immediately. I reconnected the old one and tested, and it went into 4wd mode successfully. I tested a few more times with the old actuator and it started having the same problem. I went to disconnect while it was trying to engage and I felt the actuator engage. After several attempts it seems like the original actuator Is fine, but the connector doesn’t make great contact with the pins. Anyone seen this issue before or know of a recall on the 1500 that replaces this connector?

I've read reports that this can be caused by oil changes, taking the filter out means you're getting oil over anything under and near that part of the engine and the 4x4 actuator is right under the filter, oil gets into the connector and does its thing there. I'd try spray the connector out thouroughly with brake cleaner and see if that fixes the issue. Might take more than one attempt to fix it, but try spraying it out as often as needed over the course of a few weeks.

 

[cshorvat]

Curious how this turned out.

 

[mpmitch1]

Inquiring minds are waiting.....

 

[shawnblink281]

Hey all just wanted to let you guys know I was having the same issue, pulled the plug on the actuator cleaned it then put it back in and it worked! So thanks for the help!

 

[fmartins96]

Having the same issue on my 2020 1500 Limited. I tried spraying electronic cleaner on the connector, plugged back in and tried again 3 times. Hasn’t worked for me. I bought the actuator from Amazon. Seems like it worked for the guy with the high mileage Limited from Truck Central (on YT). My only concern is how much fluid I will lose and if I need to refill.
Most people say its not more than 2 table spoons but will it be harmful to not refil?

 

[THFD334]

Having the same issue on my 2020 1500 Limited. I tried spraying electronic cleaner on the connector, plugged back in and tried again 3 times. Hasn’t worked for me. I bought the actuator from Amazon. Seems like it worked for the guy with the high mileage Limited from Truck Central (on YT). My only concern is how much fluid I will lose and if I need to refill.
Most people say its not more than 2 table spoons but will it be harmful to not refil?

ill let you know in about 10 minutes. I’m diving in.

 

[Teaser71]

Same issue. I cleaned it with WD40 contact cleaner and after once nothing. Second time I cleaned it and then compressed air to really dry it good. Works like the day I bought it.
Thanks for the info guys.

 

[silver billet]

Same issue. I cleaned it with WD40 contact cleaner and after once nothing. Second time I cleaned it and then compressed air to really dry it good. Works like the day I bought it.
Thanks for the info guys.

Some of us are running the pacbrake oil filter relocation kit, it moves your oil filter closer to the bumper so that you don't have to worry about oil dripping down on the harness anymore.

 

[fmartins96]

ill let you know in about 10 minutes. I’m diving in.

So I have taken the truck to RAM to look at it. They charged me $663 for a “software update” and said this was the issue. When I got the truck and tried to put on 4wd auto, it did not work.
I am going back after the winter storm passes but I am most certainly sure the problem is the actuator. When I looked under the truck today, there is oil alllll over the actuator and transfer case. There are 0 leaks, but the oil was spilled during the oil changes.

 

[merdas]

I am having the same issue, I replaced the actuator with Dorman one, I bought on Amazon. The issue remains. The 4wd service light comes on intermittently. Not sure what are my options. This is so annoying.

 

[firecadet613]

I am having the same issue, I replaced the actuator with Dorman one, I bought on Amazon. The issue remains. The 4wd service light comes on intermittently. Not sure what are my options. This is so annoying.

Did you clean out the truck harness electrical connector? Mine was covered in oil when I swapped by actuator out.

 

[merdas]

Yes, I did with the brake cleaner, did not help much.