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Howard
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2010
19:45:27

Subject: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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I return for some more sound advice regarding a newly developed problem with my transfer case. Until recently I hadn't had any problems when using 4x4. Then Yesterday while making my way to one of my honey holes to do some fishing I found myself wrestling with more sand than usuall. Normally this would only require shifting into 4LO. But yesterday when I shifted to 4 LO the truck lurched forward like it was engaging but when I began to sink in the sand I realized that only my rear wheels were turning.
What would cause this sudden refusal to engage even though it initially felt like it had. As many of you may already know, deep sand and 2 wheel drive will most likely lead to some type of physical exertion. In this case the physical exertion was digging with primitive digging instruments. A shovel need not look like a shovel, but digging always looks like digging whether the tool is a tree branch or the top of the ice chest. One benefit of a shovel besides the obvious is less ICYHOT is required when the muscles begin to cramp up. A shovel would have been nice but 4LO would have been better. There were no warning signs to indicate tranfer case failure. So what, if anything should I check first. Fluid level is correct, and was recently changed as part of transmission replacement. No signs of metal in the fluid when drained. Should I get a transfer case or start carrying a shovel? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated so let em rip, I'm all ears and ICYHOT.
THANKS



Howard
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2010
23:59:07

RE: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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Almost forgot!!!! The fish were biting anything that hit the water, unfortunately the feeding frenzy was taking place while I was busy searching for any digging device resembling a shovel. I did find a large spoon that lightened the tension of the situation.



02dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2010
14:44:54

RE: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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Howard,
you didn't mention whether it was a np231 or 233d?
Either way, you have to be completely stopped to shift into 4lo. Does 4hi still work? usually if the transfer case is actually broken it will be the chain broken and you will hear that. There are pads on the shift forks that can wear and cause it to have trouble staying or shifting into 4wd. Worse case, pull it out and open the case to look for problems. If its electronic (233d) then you may have an electric motor problem.



Howard
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2010
00:54:42

RE: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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Thnx 02DAK4X4
It is the np231 and there is no noise when in 4Lo. Not sure if 4Hi is working. I have never used 4Hi. It did seem that when placed in 4Lo both rear tires would turn whereas only 1 would turn when not in 4x4 mode. This is a 94 Dakota with a 96 grand cherokee engine & transmission. Both are exact matches to what was originally in the truck when I bought it and I have been offroad many times so maybe the 2 pads are the problem. Is that a complicated repair or could a novice mechanic tackle it without disaster? I used the original transfer case when I swapped out the engine and trans. and this was the first time I tried using the 4X4 gears. Maybe I should have used the grand cherokee transfer case. I didn't think it mattered at the time. If the grand cherokee used the electronic 233d model would attaching the np231 to that transmission make the np231 transfer case inoperable?



02dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2010
22:21:00

RE: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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Either transfer case should work fine providing it bolts up the the transmission. the only real difference is the 233d is controlled electronically with a small computer. I would stick with the 231. I had the 231 in my 93 and I loved it.
The shift fork should be able to be worked on by a novice. I haven't had the case apart, but my buddy did it no problem and he isn't the brightest bulb in the drawer.
Try driving it around in 4hi. That is the most useful 4wd setting. 4lo is for pulling power and in my experience is harder on the rest of the drive train.



Lori L Hawkes
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2022
18:50:03

RE: HELP,,Transfer Case Failure
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Hello, I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 4.7 AWD 4x4 with
90k miles. The front differential was just
replaced - $1,300 and then the transfer case
failed. The transfer case was just replaced -
$1,200 with a New Process Gear Model 233D and now
my AWD does not work. It is rear wheel drive only.
:( My truck was towed to the shop on Nov. 8, 2021,
and I just picked it up tonight 1/19/22. I drove
it in a snow-covered field to test the AWD, 4x4, Lo
4x4. The rear wheels were spinning in AWD, but not
the front wheels. I called the repair shop and
they said it must be the switch. I did some
research on transfer cases, and it appears that the
244D is for AWD, 4x4 and 4x4Lo whereas the 233D is
only for 4x4 and 4x4Lo. Can anyone confirm this?



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