2020 Ram 1500 Dt 4x4 not working

[Racfox450]

I've tired everything possible. I just had my truck in with Ram they did a computer update because my front differential actuator had been replaced 6 months ago and started doing the whole flashing and not engaging thing. Got it back they told me I just needed it updated. Fast forward to the snow storm I lock in head down the road and I'm fish tailing all over. I notice on the dash that it says 4x4 overheating performance reduced. No front tires spin at all. I've replaced the front passanger side intermediate shaft and and cv axle and hub assembly beings I was right there. That side was horrible. I checked all fluids in transfer case, front diff. Both actuators appear to make sound when you enguage into 4x4. It's hard to believe the clutch plates in the transfer case are shot I rarely use 4x4. Maybe 5 times since I've had the truck. I purchased with 28,000 miles now at 80,000. Mostly highway miles.

It worked before the Update I was just having issues with front actuator with blinking light prob due to oil in the plug most likely. Would the computer update cause this issue? Maybe transfer case motor not engaging all the way to put pressure on the clutch plates. Gentleman man at Ram told me the trucks computer don't have anything to do with 4x4 not working but from all my research that's a lie from what I been gathering.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[jmagsho]

Are you running it in 4Auto or 4high? Auto will make the clutches work harder in the transfer case and only engages if one wheel is slipping.

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[Racfox450]

I tried 4 High, 4auto, 4 low and nothing. As soon as I get 2 seconds of wheel spin it says 4x4 overheating/Reduce 4x4 performance. The transfercase oil didn't smell burnt or anything looked almost like new. I dont hear any clunk or any strange noises other then transfercase motor and front actuator motor clicking in.

I have all the parts to do the driver side intermediate and cv shaft as well as a new hub assembly. But honestly that side feels tight. Hard to believe the would cause an issue if it was bad.

My tires are not the greatest as the fronts are a little chewed up on the outside of the tire and seems to have more tread then the rears. I've read this could cause it but again hard to believe.

 

[jmagsho]

I saw the overheat error on my '19 once when I stomped on it when the roads were wet. It was while I was chasing down what I thought was a problem with the traction control and trailer brake wiring. I was getting a traction control and trailer brake error too. In the end it was caused by engine oil in the axle disconnect plug caused by changing the oil filter. However; during the troubleshooting process I pulled every connector under the truck associated with the 4wd, and trailer wiring and put dielectric grease in them. I haven't had an issue since.

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[Racfox450]

I've pulled that plug, cleaned and blew it out multiple times as I did notice oil inside the plug. Still having the issue. This makes me believe the update caused this issue and they may need to undo the new update. I've been under the truck for the past 2 weeks trying to figure this out. Unfortunately I'm out of my warrenty and was just trying to save a buck.

 

[jmagsho]

I would see if you can get a scan tool connected that can read codes from all the systems instead of just the engine and see what it tells you. It could be anything from wiring to a bad actuator, module, switch, or even something as dumb as a bad ground. I would start there instead of throwing parts at it.

Although, it might be worthwhile to see if you can back out those recent updates and see if it resolves it.

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