Need Help - Trying to get Transfer Case into Neutral

[BlueHemi1500]

Hello all,

I have a 2020 Laramie with the 5-position (per the manual) Transfer case.
I have read the manual and tried to follow the directions step by step, I just can not get the transfer case into neutral.
I downloaded the manual and printed out the relevant 2 pages for towing flat as my truck did not come with a manual followed line by line without success.
I held the button for several seconds and no response.
Do you push with the pen on what looks like an LED at the top of the switch?
I can get the transfer case to switch to each of the other modes, 2WD, Auto WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low without problems.
I have googled my question and tried YouTube for a solution.
I have also tried looking on the forums where I am a member, but no luck.
There are no error codes and no check engine light on the dash.
So please help me figure out my problem.
I am sure the vast amount of knowledge here will provide me with the solution.

Thanks in advance all.

BlueHemi1500

 

[kapinallinen2]

Hello all,

I have a 2020 Laramie with the 5-position (per the manual) Transfer case.
I have read the manual and tried to follow the directions step by step, I just can not get the transfer case into neutral.
I downloaded the manual and printed out the relevant 2 pages for towing flat as my truck did not come with a manual followed line by line without success.
I held the button for several seconds and no response.
Do you push with the pen on what looks like an LED at the top of the switch?
I can get the transfer case to switch to each of the other modes, 2WD, Auto WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low without problems.
I have googled my question and tried YouTube for a solution.
I have also tried looking on the forums where I am a member, but no luck.
There are no error codes and no check engine light on the dash.
So please help me figure out my problem.
I am sure the vast amount of knowledge here will provide me with the solution.

Thanks in advance all.

BlueHemi1500

There is a letter N with an arrow above it, pointing up to the little switch. Put transmission in neutral IIRC and push and hold the little button, might have to have a foot on the brake also, should put the TC in neutral.
Should be somewhere in the 700 pages of the owners manual.

 

[HemiDude]

Hello all,

I have a 2020 Laramie with the 5-position (per the manual) Transfer case.
I have read the manual and tried to follow the directions step by step, I just can not get the transfer case into neutral.
I downloaded the manual and printed out the relevant 2 pages for towing flat as my truck did not come with a manual followed line by line without success.
I held the button for several seconds and no response.
Do you push with the pen on what looks like an LED at the top of the switch?
I can get the transfer case to switch to each of the other modes, 2WD, Auto WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low without problems.
I have googled my question and tried YouTube for a solution.
I have also tried looking on the forums where I am a member, but no luck.
There are no error codes and no check engine light on the dash.
So please help me figure out my problem.
I am sure the vast amount of knowledge here will provide me with the solution.

Thanks in advance all.

BlueHemi1500

This is from my manual, I assume yours would be the same (step 4 is what you referenced):

 

[Darksteel165]

Remove the plastic trim under your headlight switch and pull the rip cord to go into neutral.
Idk those weird witchcraft procedures people above are linking. It's an orange cloth cord.

 

[dts828]

Remove the plastic trim under your headlight switch and pull the rip cord to go into neutral.
Idk those weird witchcraft procedures people above are linking. It's an orange cloth cord.

Whichcraft... Lol. I believe there talking about 4wd front transfer case not transmission.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Kicker]

Sounds like the secret sauce is first setting the parking brake...............

 

[Darksteel165]

Whichcraft... Lol. I believe there talking about 4wd front transfer case not transmission.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using Tapatalk

I mean it lost me when the manual said to use a ball point pen to...

 

[Nascar Tommy]

I love my 2002 Ram with the manual stick shift case!

 

[Nascar Tommy]

I mean it lost me when the manual said to use a ball point pen to...

That is quite complicated especially steps 6 & 7, but It's probably to ensure proper lubrication of stuff before a flat tow.
I don't think the dashboard trans disconnect is meant for long distance flat towing. It's an emergency thing.

 

[DuaneMiller]

I regularly tow my truck behind a motorhome, and go through this process all the time... And once you do it a time or two, it becomes second nature...
1. Hook the truck to whatever is going to do the towing... Contrary to what the directions say in the manual, place the transfer case into neutral after you connect the truck to whatever is going to be tow vehicle. If you need to make positioning adjustments (pulling forward or moving backward), its easier to do it while the truck can move under its own power..
2. With the engine running, apply the parking brake, then the brake pedal, and shift the transmission to neutral.
3. Take a pointed object (ballpoint pen, etc. I use a small screwdriver) and depress the very small button just above the "up arrow and "N" and hold it there until the transfer case shifts into neutral.
4. A message will pop up in the center display: "4WD Neutral, Vehicle May Move Even in Park". There will also be a an amber "Neutral" indication that will light up just to the left of the odometer, and the led that you pressed will light up red.
5. I then shift into D or R just to make sure the transfer case is in neutral.
6. I disengage the parking brake
7. Turn off the truck so that Autopark engages





Video of Shifting Transfer Case to Neutral

 

[kapinallinen2]

This is from my manual, I assume yours would be the same (step 4 is what you referenced):

View attachment 177372
View attachment 177373

I have not done that in a long time but looks right.

 

[kapinallinen2]

This is from my manual, I assume yours would be the same (step 4 is what you referenced):

View attachment 177372
View attachment 177373

Just checked my manual, I have that same procedure listed on pg. 398.

 

[Nascar Tommy]

Just checked my manual, I have that same procedure listed on pg. 398.

While you're looking at your manual, is the truck on the cover the same color as your truck?
I've always wondered if they matched books to trucks.
My truck is Patriot blue so is my manual.

 

[kapinallinen2]

While you're looking at your manual, is the truck on the cover the same color as your truck?
I've always wondered if they matched books to trucks.
My truck is Patriot blue so is my manual.

No idea, never broke open the paper copy, still in its sealed plastic.
I downloaded the PDF file and use that.
edit: Just checked, my truck did not come with a paper manual, just with some useless "lets get started" booklet.

 

[Darksteel165]

No idea, never broke open the paper copy, still in its sealed plastic.
I downloaded the PDF file and use that.
edit: Just checked, my truck did not come with a paper manual, just with some useless "lets get started" booklet.

Did you buy it used? All new trucks come with the manual.

While you're looking at your manual, is the truck on the cover the same color as your truck?
I've always wondered if they matched books to trucks.
My truck is Patriot blue so is my manual.

My manual has a black truck on it, my truck is black.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Did you buy it used? All new trucks come with the manual.


My manual has a black truck on it, my truck is black.

Bought it brand new.

 

[Darksteel165]

Bought it brand new.

At least they didn't keep your trailer tpms like some other folks I have seen.

 

[kapinallinen2]

At least they didn't keep your trailer tpms like some other folks I have seen.

What trailer TPMS?
My truck was assembled April 2018, this was before tpms or paper manuals were invented LOL.

 

[Darksteel165]

What trailer TPMS?
My truck was assembled April 2018, this was before tpms or paper manuals were invented LOL.

Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Sensors that come people that got some of the trailering packages. Sometimes the dealer would take it and hold it hostage or by mistake.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Sensors that come people that got some of the trailering packages. Sometimes the dealer would take it and hold it hostage or by mistake.

I know what they are. The early trucks did not come with as many of the bells and whistles as the later ones did.
I faintly remember the conversations on how to download the owners manual on-line.