Dana 300 4WD Light Stays On

[Greenmule]

So, since I purchesed the jeep a year ago the wire connecting to the switch on the Dana 300 was never connected. I found the wire and the switch and connected it and now the 4wd light does not turn off. I have switched it back and forth from 2wd to 4wd and no change, even after some driving. Would this be a bad switch? Not sure what else would be wrong. And help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[elwood blues]

I thought the 4WD light only worked with the QuadraTrac automatic Transmission , might be wrong though :dunno:

 

[BajaEdition]

order a new switch yours is bad

 

[derf]

Probably a bad switch. But in the off chance your shifter is messed up, double check it. Get under the Jeep and watch that the passenger side shift rod moves when going between 2HI and 4HI. If it doesn't, you need to fix that. If it does, it's just the switch.

 

[Greenmule]

Thanks guys. I ordered a new switch. I hope that is it. I will ask more questions if it is not. Thanks again.

 

[BajaEdition]

if it is not, then we need to find out why it is not being operated.
if you hook the wires up and it stays on, but take either wire off abd it does not stay on then the switch is either a dead short, or it is not being operated and is in the on position. Most of these style switches are not like the ones on your wall, they require constant pressure to stay on. So if the switch stays on and iff taken out of the case it stays on all the time, the switch is bad, if it does not work once taken out, then something is causing it to stay on in the T case, and then we take the t case out to open it up and find out why.

 

[Greenmule]

ok, so I purchsed a new switch. Put it in and there was no light that came on with the 4x4 in or out. Not sure why that is, but I also noticed that when looking at photos on the net, my placement of the switch is in a 2nd hole 1 1/2 - 2 inches inward toward the center of the TC. There is a hole or spot where it is located in the other photos on the net. And I am not sure if the hole is pluged or open as I am doing all of this from under the jeep with the TC in place. I can however feel some dirt or debris in the first or outer hole. Cant tell if there is a plug or someting covering the hole (I hope so).

So at this time my question is why are there two holes on my TC for this switch? Does this make any sence?

 

[yellow85cj]

The holes (2) are there to load the springs and poppet balls that are under the shift rods.

The balls fit into detents in the shift rods when you shift and keep the TC shifter in the position you put it in.

The light switch operates in the same way. In 2 wheel drive, the spring loaded ball in the switch has no pressure on it as there is a detent in the rod.

When you shift into 4wd, the shift rod moves to a position where there is no detent, the ball is pushed into the switch which closes and completes the the circuit, turning the light on.

You can bench test the switch easily with a tester set to continuity. One lead on the connector pin the other on the ball. Push the ball in and it should show (usually the tester will light up or buzz) if it is good.

If the switch is good, and the circuit is good, are you certain that the switch was tight in the hole (mine is located in the in the outboard hole). If yours is in the inboard hole, might be in the wrong hole. Not sure on your year which is correct.

A small mirror might help you to see whats up there. Taking the Transmission cover off should help a lot.

Most 300's I have seen have a very wimpy aluminium screw plug in the second hole. Don't destroy or loose this piece as they are HARD to find.

 

[Greenmule]

Thanks to everyone, I realy appreciate all the help. The two holes were being used in reverse. The outer hole did not have the switch in it but had the plug normaly found in the 2nd hole. I cleaned the area of debris, removed the plug in the outer hole and installed it in the 2nd hole. Then I installed the new switch in the outer hole which I think is the intended location for the switch anyway, and everything works as intended. It is nice to have it working correctly, even if it is only a light. Thanks again to everyone for the help.