First thing, I would pull the instrument cluster to see if the previous owner has pulled the 4wd bulb or taped over it with electrical tape.

 

I'm kinda with aroundincircles on this one, I can't feel when mine is switched on but I can tell when driving if it is on or off.

I wouldn't go ripping your cluster out quite yet. The led's in there are apparently(from talking to ppl that have ripped it apart ex. moparnumber1) soldered right to the cluster and there is no replacing bulbs that can be done. But it is possible that specific led burned out.

If your 4x4 module was malfunctioning the 4WD! light would always be on. The cluster is 100% LED lit, and they are all soldered in place. if you can find a gravel road, try flooring it with esp off from a stand still and see if you can get all 4 to leave marks. also try holding the t-handle up for 10 seconds. the 4WD! light should come on. that would at least let you know the 4x4 module is still communicating to you. Fuse #2 on my 08 completely disabled the 4x4 module and rendered me full time fwd. not 100% sure it's the same, but worth looking into. Maybe you'll feel a difference with the fuse pulled vs not. (makes it a bit peppier too.)

Ok yes ripping out the cluster is definitely not the first thing I would do. I didn't realize the leds were soldered into it. I have to agree with everyone else and go test it. Find a small incline in the grass and or like mopar said a gravel road. When turning your esp off make sure you hold in the button for five seconds and wait for the beep as well as under the odometer to say esp off.

 

Being that a patriot is an AWD vehicle with clutches and such that you would not notice that 4x4 is engaged... (at least I never could unless I was stuck and had to get out of a sticky situation)

 

I'm kinda with aroundincircles on this one, I can't feel when mine is switched on but I can tell when driving if it is on or off.

I wouldn't go ripping your cluster out quite yet. The led's in there are apparently(from talking to ppl that have ripped it apart ex. moparnumber1) soldered right to the cluster and there is no replacing bulbs that can be done. But it is possible that specific led burned out.

 

you can see if it engages by jacking up one side of your vehicle, locking it, and then putting it into drive and see if both tires spin at the same time. I know that somebody on here has done that and has some videos on youtube about it. Its a green pre 2010 patriot. but i'm too tired and cannot remember who made them (and too lazy to look it up)

 

If your 4x4 module was malfunctioning the 4WD! light would always be on. The cluster is 100% LED lit, and they are all soldered in place. if you can find a gravel road, try flooring it with esp off from a stand still and see if you can get all 4 to leave marks. also try holding the t-handle up for 10 seconds. the 4WD! light should come on. that would at least let you know the 4x4 module is still communicating to you. Fuse #2 on my 08 completely disabled the 4x4 module and rendered me full time fwd. not 100% sure it's the same, but worth looking into. Maybe you'll feel a difference with the fuse pulled vs not. (makes it a bit peppier too.)

 

A Patriot spinning tires? Whattttt?

 

I used to have a 98 Cherokee in which the 4WD light on the dash didn't work but it was definitely engaged when I pulled the level. If you can determine that the 4WD is in fact working it is most likely a bad bulb and not worth ripping open the dash to replace.

 

found out that the light/LED is working (tested by holding the tripometer down while turning the key)
held the t handle for 25 seconds no change...

 

Yeah, likely as not it's just the light. the videos that AIC referred to, were made by Tyler when he tested his Patriot by using jackstands to pick up all four corners and show what it did in all modes. It's been awhile since I've seen said videos(didn't even know it was anybody from here at the time), but as I recall, all four wheel spun no matter what mode.

 

Either the bulb itself is burned out, or the 4x4 system is defective. I wonder if the SES or check engine light would come on if the 4WD system is not working?

 

If the 4x4 system was actually malfunctioning, wouldn't the check engine light or some other "dummy light" on the dash light up? Unless that bulb was out, haha. Maybe take it to a trusted third-party mechanic, just in case.

 

As mopernumber1 said above if the 4x4 system was malfunctioning, the "4WD!" light should appear.

 

It sounds to me like the actual 4wd switch is not working. The 4WD! light will come on if the 4wd module senses something wrong, but if the switch is not working the module would not see it as malfunctioning. If no fuses are blown you may try digging out the wiring harness for the switch and jumpering it.
Or take it to a dealer and let them troubleshoot it.

 

oh... you know, didnt even think about it being the switches fault. do you have the 110 outlet in the center console? If so check to see if that's working. That and the 4x4 switch share a main plug. Might be worth it to rip the console out and look at the plug itself.

 

The T switches can get dirty and cause intermittent faults. Get a can of air (like the ones for cleaning computers) and blow out all the crevices, then hold the switch up and do it again. Do not switch on the car while you are doing it and wait a few minutes before you try it to make sure any moisture from the air has dried.

 

On my jeep patriot the problem was the wrong program was loaded at the factory. I found a service bulletin on this and brought it to the dealer and had it reprogrammed. The problem went away.