NV273D Electric Shift Transfer Case Troubles --- suggestions please

[JasonMcNabb]

I have a 2005 with the NV273D electric shift transfer case.

The shift motor stopped working and I replaced it with a new OEM unit and new ends on the wiring harness. New shift motor works fine hanging under truck plugged in but not bolted on.

Transfer case shifts fine with crescent wrench underneath but maybe a bit stiff. Truck does have 300K on it. Put new shift motor on and it shifted the case once in the shop then locked out leaving me stuck in 4x4 high range and the service 4x4 code on the dash.

At this point I thought maybe the resistance of shifting the transfer case was too much so out comes the transfer case and I take it a local gear shop I trust. Shop forman moves the transfer case with a crescent wrench and thinks its okay, but we still split it and inspect it. He finds it all fine inside, nothing needing replacing.

Local Dodge dealer willingly brings in another shift motor for the transfer case and I return the first one. We think we are all fine at this point but alas putting everything back in truck again the shift motor works fine hanging off the harness (supported by a block) but after aligning the position and bolting it on the newly reinstalled transfer case ... still no good. Transfer case shifted once and then locked out setting up the service 4x4 light and leaving the truck in 4 wheel high again.

What am I missing here?????? Harness issues maybe?

Any suggestions more than welcome. Thanks..

 

[Bob4x4]

You need a scanner capable of comunicating with the system to go any further

 

[Ozymandias]

AutoEnginuity or DRB III maybe SnapOn.

 

[CVR222NV]

JasonMcNabb, Where did you end up with your transfer case issue? I'm having a similar problem and wanted to know what direction you went? Dealer or upgraded scanner?

 

[JasonMcNabb]

Update: Problem Fixed.

It was harness corrossion on the leads going to the six pin xfer case position sensor. Shop forman at dealership could see on his laptop the failed communication back from the position sensor when a request for shift was sent to the motor. i.e. wire problem. If I had not sweet talked my way past the service counter to be there as the shop forman ran the diagnostic tests he told me that the first thing would have been to change the shift motor out then pull the transfer case looking for wear. By being there and able to share my previous efforts he zeroed in on the harness right away.

Cannot get replacement harness piece for trans/xfer case to top of firewall where it plugs in. So it required harness removal from truck and cutting open and hand splicing and checking. Sigh.... 4.5 hrs shop labor

Have used the truck and shifted the xfer case in and out more than five times all seems very good.

So tell me: This is an improvement over the manual shift lever on the floor? Not in the least!!! It is a sign of unnecessary bells and whistles that engineers put in these vehicles that we most definatley do not need.

 

[CVR222NV]

Update: Problem Fixed.

It was harness corrossion on the leads going to the six pin xfer case position sensor. Shop forman at dealership could see on his laptop the failed communication back from the position sensor when a request for shift was sent to the motor. i.e. wire problem. If I had not sweet talked my way past the service counter to be there as the shop forman ran the diagnostic tests he told me that the first thing would have been to change the shift motor out then pull the transfer case looking for wear. By being there and able to share my previous efforts he zeroed in on the harness right away.

Cannot get replacement harness piece for trans/xfer case to top of firewall where it plugs in. So it required harness removal from truck and cutting open and hand splicing and checking. Sigh.... 4.5 hrs shop labor

Have used the truck and shifted the xfer case in and out more than five times all seems very good.

So tell me: This is an improvement over the manual shift lever on the floor? Not in the least!!! It is a sign of unnecessary bells and whistles that engineers put in these vehicles that we most definatley do not need.

Thanks for the update. I'm finding there are a number of different causes to this problem. I need to find a good dealer that can do the appropriate scan tests as I have no intention of paying for a dealer fishing expedition.

 

[CVR222NV]

AutoEnginuity or DRB III maybe SnapOn.

Ozymandias, do you know if the AutoEnginuity scanner is capable of reading the codes thrown by the transfer case system?

 

[CVR222NV]

So tell me: This is an improvement over the manual shift lever on the floor? Not in the least!!! It is a sign of unnecessary bells and whistles that engineers put in these vehicles that we most definatley do not need.

I hear ya! I ordered my truck new and would have preferred the manual shift transfer case but it was not an available option with the Laramie Package. I guess I sacrificed simplicity and dependability for creature comforts!

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes it does.
You can read ALL Codes that the Truck has from every system in it.

 

[DFerverda]

Which model of Auto Enginuity scanner software do you have for the dodge trucks?

 

[Ozymandias]

Standard Modul with Chrysler Upgrade. It's not cheap but worth every penny you safe in workshop hours.