Actually, the front axle disconnect is vacuum controlled in both
directions. Binding can occur, but a simple wiggle of the steering wheel
will release this.
the real trouble is in the NP/NV tranfercase mounted vacuum switch. When
you activate 4WD, a lever presses a plunger in the bottom of the switch.
This plunger then directs the proper vacuum route.
When you release 4WD, the lever retracts and a spring in the switch is
supposed to eject the plunger and cause the vacuum switch to return to
normal operation.
What happens is that the plunger is rounded to allow easy operation by the
lever. This rounded shape allows all the little contaminants in the
transfer case to enter the body of the switch and jam the plunger enough to
make ejection difficult or impossible.
I always carried an extra switch in my Wranger because of this, and then
cleaned the dirty one.
I have not actually worked on the Dakota's system, but from my
understanding of the system from the manuals, it is identical in operation
as the Wrangler, and I have taken that one apart more times than I like to
admit.
The 4WD lamp is actually operated from the vacuum coming from the front
axle. This is one reason I like this indicator better than any other.
there is no way to light the indicator if 4WD isn't working short of
removing the front drive shaft.
Christopher Siano | "How do you control this thing?"
CSiano@Banyan.com | "Who Cares, Go FASTER!"
0- | -Suicide
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