Hey guys. So I just yesterday developed an issue. I have a 2004 Durango AWD. The only 2 TC settings are "AWD" and "4LOC". Its been well below freezing here lately, and I hadnt driven it since Saturday. I started it yesterday and let it run for about 25 minutes. When I went back out to shut it off, I noticed that the "serv 4wd" light was blinking rapidly under the gear indicator. I tried putting it into 4LOC, however it wouldn't go into 4 high. I shut it off, pulled a battery cable, and waited for 10 minutes. After I hooked everything up, the light came back on several minutes later and would no longer go into 4 high.

So....after a trip to Advanced Auto didn't tell me anything, I went to a local shop that services our work cars. After approx. 45 minutes, he was able to give me the problem, well, sort of.........

According to him, a particular code is thrown when there is high voltage detected. I believe he said it was 5 volts. Somehow this is also connected to the rear window wiper as well, which works fine btw.) This was as far as he can go at this point. He's saying that somewhere, there is a short possibly accounting for the high voltage. Where, however, is the $1000 question. Without tearing into it, there's no way to tell. I have the code number out in the SUV if anyone wants to know exactly what it is. I guess I have a few questions:

1) Has this particular problem been addressed before, and has anyone else experienced this?

2) Any ideas on where to look for this short, if that's really the problem?

3) Could this be a fuse issue? I have no clue what fuse would control this, as there is no diagram on the cover or in the manual.

4) Being an AWD model, do I still have the AWD capability at this point? Have I only lost the ability to go into 4 high, or has it now somehow become a 2wd only? With all of the snow here lately, its been nice to have something that will get me where I need to go. In the 1 year that Ive had the Durango, Ive never actually needed 4 high. AWD, along with the vehicle weight, has always been more than enough. Somehow though, I keep thinking that if I cant shift into 4 high, then how is the transfer case still working giving me power to both axles in AWD?

Anyways, thanks for the help. I appreciate any information and suggestions.

I don't know anything about your issue, but, since the problem developed after you let it sit running for 25 minutes, the first place I would look for a short would be melted wires near the exhaust or near anything else that could get hot enough to melt through wire insulation (which isn't much when in direct contact).

With all the snow on the streets around here, it wouldn't take but a few seconds to determine if you still had the 4x4 or something went south and you are left with a 2x4.

I've owned a lot of 4x4 trucks in the last 25 years, plowed a lot of snow and done much general abuse. In all those years, I think I've only actually put any of them in 4x4 lock one or two times in my life.

If the inspection for burnt wires doesn't revile a source of your problem, the code doesn't point to a different problem, and the 4x4 still works, I could probably live with it through the winter, if it was mine. Gene

Thanks. I'll look under things as best I can right now.

I know I dont have 4wd, as the truck does not pull while making a sharp turn. My big concern/question is if the Durango is still AWD, or 2wd now. For once, our streets are actually somewhat clear right now, so I cant really tell.

The code the mechanic found is: C1405. Transfer Case Range Position. Circuit High.

Thanks for the help.

Probably need a tc shift motor.

Well, I'm bring this one back up just in case there are any more ideas. The transfer case still doesn't lock into 4wd. The indicator just flashes. Ive had it "looked" at by a couple of people, but so far no one has been able to find the issue. Heading into winter, I still would love to know if by default the vehicle remains in AWD mode, of if it has turned into a 2wd vehicle. Is there any way to tell? Im hesitant about taking it to a dealer, as im sure the bill there would be $1k. I suppose if I cant get the issue resolved, there's no point in keeping it. It was bought for the 4wd capability, and if it's gonna cost major money to diagnose/fix, I may as well sell it and start "fresh."

Thanks.

I agree that the easiest thing to do would be to replace the t-case shift motor. It could also be the wiring or the Front Control Module. I am sending you an email with the full diagnostic flow chart, which if you don't have access to a good diagnostic scanner is pretty useless.

The truck is default to AWD, that t-case is not 2WD capable.

One more follow up, if the harness is damaged, the only way to get to it to repair is going to be dropping the transfer case. There is no room to get in there to fix it. If it were mine, I would just live with AWD until there is a need to remove the transfer case for some other reason such as replacing the transmission. Mine has been in 4WD lock twice in its history of 190,000 miles, once because I was stuck on 10,000 foot pass in the snow and the other when I dropped the drive shaft and it would not move otherwise.

Wow. Thats great information. Thank you. I will probably just let it go then. As long as its still AWD, thats all I'll realistically ever need. I hate to dump a lot of money in it too. I hardly drive it anymore, so its really just not worth it. Ive actually got it up for sale locally now too.

Thanks for the help!

To test AWD, a gravel road and "hit it" will tell.

I had a sort of similar problem on a later Durango with console switch. My dog, left alone for a while, would walk over the console and step on the switch on his way to the front seat. He would press it down hard and it wanted to go into "N".

Getting all the way into "N" was one of those deals where you press the switch, put it on N, press the brakes 3 times and wiggle your nose 6 times (or something like that). The dash light flashed but it never went all the way into "N". I had to pull the console cover and use a dull knife to pry the switch back to normal position. After about the 3'rd time after I got it back to normal I pulled the switch connector and no more problems. AWD is fine.

The dog (RIP) recently suffered a stroke. Despite or maybe because of his love of the front seat we loved him dearly.

Aww. Sorry to hear about your dog. We had a doberman that would do that too.

When the truck was looked at initially, it was suggested that a squirrel had possibly crawled up underneath and had chewed or otherwise damaged the harness, preventing it from switching into 4wd. Ive just never looked at it since.