I have a 2011 Ram 1500 Pickup. About a year ago my check engine light started coming on intermittently. Like every good American I simply ignored it until I was due for a tuneup. A local dealer tuned it up which resulted in the check engine light staying off. About six months ago the check engine light started coming back on. Then about 1 month ago the “Service 4-wheel Drive” warning message came on along with a anti-lock brake warning light. These warning also come on and off with no rhyme or reason. So once again, I took the truck back to the local dealer. Of course they ran that ridiculously priced diagnostic test and found “multiple codes/stored not active. Misfire Cylinder 2 and anti lock brake system.” The dealer cleared the codes and test drove the truck. The dealer stated no active codes at this time. You guessed it! Four days later all codes reappeared. Would it be safe to just ignore these warning lights? The dealer wants me to bring it back in and let them run another money gouging diagnostic test!
No, it isn’t safe. Warning lights are there to warn you that something is wrong. That “wrong” can cause expensive problems if not resolved.
The codes set by those warning lights can help the mechanic to fix the truck so they don’t come back. You do not need a dealer for this. Any decent, independent mechanic can read these codes and fix the truck. In fact, they may be better at it because your dealer doesn’t seem to too sharp.
You can also read and reset these codes yourself with cheap tools. Go to Amazon and type in OBD 2 reader. You can buy a $15 Bluetooth plug in and use a free app on your phone to read the codes and turn the light off. Write down the codes you read and take that in to the mechanic with the light ON and tell them you’ve seen these codes before. Auto parts stores will also read those codes for free.
Now, not all the code readers can read more than engine codes - the P0123 codes. Your 4WD problem may be an ABS code that can’t be read by Autozone nor the cheap code reader so to the mechanic you must go. Good Luck, hope this helps.