2004 DODGE DAKOTA brake light

case selection. When you select a different transfer case
position, the indicator lights will do the following:
If All Shift Requirements are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If One or More Shift Requirements are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain
ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will flash.
3. The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE:Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five (5)seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the9Shifting Procedure9for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner's manual.
The SERVICE 4WD warning light monitors the electric
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the(Service 4WD(light is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may
allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal
injury.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The NV244 transfer
case is not equipped with a synchronizer and therefore
the front and rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the
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AWD to 4HI or 4HI to AWD
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between AWD and 4HI can be done with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion,
the transfer case will engage / disengage faster if you
momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turning
the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped the ignition
key must be in the ON position with the engine either
RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
key is in the accessory position.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with a Anti-Lock Brake
Systems, the 4x4 system will not allow shifts between
AWD/ 4HI if the rear wheels are spinning (no traction).
In this situation the selected position indicator light will
flash and the original position indicator light will remain
ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the
wheels to complete the shift. There may be a delay up to
10 seconds for the shift to complete after the wheels have
stopped spinning.
NOTE:Delayed shifting out of the 4HI position may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, or
excessive loading.
4HI to 4LO or 4LO to 4HI
NOTE:
When shifting into or out of 4LO some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2-3
mph (3-5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER OF
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2-3 mph (3-5
km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch
on manual transmissions).
3. Ensure ignition key is in the ON position with the
engine either RUNNING or OFF. While still rolling,
rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
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PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel.
To apply the parking brake:Place your foot on the
parking brake pedal and push firmly downward as far as
the pedal will go. When the parking brake is applied and
the ignition is ON, the BRAKE light in the instrument
cluster will light.
NOTE:The BRAKE light in the instrument cluster
indicates only that the parking brake is appliedÐit does
not indicate the degree of application.
To release the parking brake:Pull the parking brake
release handle towards you. The BRAKE light in the
instrument cluster will go out when the parking brake is
disengaged.
To park on a hill:You must make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and the gear shift lever is in PARK
(for an automatic transmission) or in REVERSE or FIRST
(for a manual transmission). You should apply the park-
ing brake before shifting to PARK; otherwise, the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of the Park position.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels:
²Towardthe curb on adownhillgrade.
²Awayfrom the curb on anuphillgrade.
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WARNING!
²Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury. Also be certain to leave an
automatic transmission in Park, a manual trans-
mission in Reverse or first gear. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or
injury.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving. Failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the key in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be significantly increased over that
required with the power system operating.
If either the front or rear hydraulic system loses normal
capability, the remaining system will still function with
some loss of braking effectiveness. This will be evident by
increased pedal travel during application, greater pedal
force required to slow or stop, and activation of the Brake
Warning light and the ABS light during brake use.
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
This Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically controls the opera-
tion of the rear brakes to prevent rear wheel lockup.
The system remains operational in the four-wheel drive
mode. The level of performance is reduced when the
front brakes are locked up. This will cause the rear brakes
to lock-up through the drivetrain, which may reduce the
effectiveness of the anti-lock system.
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During severe braking conditions, particularly with
changing road surfaces, such as ice to concrete, a slight
drop or minor pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal.
WARNING!
Both Anti-Lock Brake Systems contain sophisticated
electronic equipment. It may be susceptible to inter-
ference caused by improperly installed or high out-
put radio transmitting equipment. This interference
can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capabil-
ity. Installation of such equipment should be done
by qualified professionals.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System Ð If
Equipped
This Anti-Lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.The system's pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation, which is
normal.
The Anti-Lock Brake System includes an amber ABS
warning light. When the light is illuminated, the Anti-
Lock Brake System is not functioning. The system reverts
to standard non-anti-lock brakes. Turning the ignition
OFF and ON again may reset the Anti-Lock Brake System
if the fault detected was only momentary.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
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Wheel9style trailer, this range of loading on the9King
Pin9should be between 15% and 25%.) Loads balanced
over the wheels or biased toward9heavier in the rear9
can cause the trailer to sway severely side to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
²Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
²Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs. (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs. (907 kg).
²Use an approved trailer harness and connector. If a
hitch is ordered, the proper wiring will be provided.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When trailering cargo that
cannot be fully secured, dynamic load shifts can occur
that may be difficult for the driver to control.
²All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer.
²Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory har-
nesses only. Do not cut or splice any wiring to the
brake circuits.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo and equipment loaded
on the trailer when in actual underway towing condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle's
trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60%
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2.GTW
3.Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight [15% to 25% for a(5th Wheel(style trailer]
as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
4.GAWR ratings
NOTE:
Towing a trailer equipped with more than the
standard lighting (turn, tail, stop and backup lights) may
cause an abnormally high electrical current draw through
the headlight switch, causing the switch to fail. To
prevent a recurring switch failure install a trailer tow
wiring harness overlay kit with relay to bypass headlight
switch (available from your dealer).
Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)
(Trailer Towing Guide(
NOTE:
For trailer towing information (maximum
trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
address:http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
In Canada, refer to the following website address:
http:// www.dodge.ca.
Trailer Towing Requirements
All Dodge Dakota trucks are intended to tow trailers up
to 2,000 lbs. without added equipment or alterations to
standard equipment. Your vehicle may be factory
equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing over 2,000
lbs. with the Trailer Tow Package. The electrical part of
this package includes an instruction sheet, a 7/4 pin
adaptor, a wiring pigtail for an aftermarket electric trailer
brake controller, and three relays that must be installed
into the power distribution center. These items are stored
in the glove box. Also included in the Trailer Tow
Package are two fuses and a relay that are located on the
driver's side of the engine compartment on a harness
near the Power Distribution Center. This relay and the
fuses power up the trailer towing option. See your Dodge
dealer for further information.
If you regularly pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop and turn signals on the trailer are recommended for
motoring safety. To handle the additional electrical load
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of the trailer lights and assure their proper functioning, a
heavy duty turn signal flasher can be installed as a
separate equipment item by your dealer.
WARNING!
The direct connection of hydraulic brake lines from
vehicle brake system to trailer system is not accept-
able. The extra load may cause brake failure and you
may be injured.
Heavy trailer towing also may require breakaway electric
trailer brakes, anti-sway devices or equalizing hitches for
safe operation. Such devices are commonly required by
state law.
For all trailer tow or heavy-duty applications it is
strongly recommended that the factory fill rear axle
lubricant be replaced with an SAE 75W-140 synthetic
gear lubricant. MopartSynthetic Gear Lubricant is of
this type.
Trailer Tow Wiring
The Trailer Tow Package includes a wiring harness
located at the rear underbody of the vehicle.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using fac-
tory harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following table for wire color and function.
Wire Color Function
Black Ground Wire
Blue Trailer Brake
Black/Orange Tail & Running Lamps
Red/Tan Battery
Dk. Green/Red Lt. Stop & Turn Signal
Brown/Red Rt. Stop & Turn Signal
Violet/Black Backup Lamps
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