Done some searching and came up empty handed. What would cause the t-case to shift from 2 hi to 4 hi but not to 4 lo? No matter what I do it just won't go to 4 lo.....the 4 lo light just blinks. I can hear the motor shifting to 4 hi just fine. Is the motor bad.....possibly a switch problem?

A while back I did get it to go to 4 lo but then it refused to go back to 2wd. Unplugged all connections and restarted truck and all the 4wd lights came on........shut truck down, plugged in all connections, restarted truck and all was well.

What gives? Would like to get this issue resolved as winter is ahead of me.

 

Are you putting the tranny in Neutral first?

 

Neutral...in gear....rolling...I've tried it all. I can hear the actuator going into 4hi and back to 2wd but nothing as far as 4lo.....it just doesn't go. Several weeks ago it did manage to go into 4lo and then it wouldn't come out....no 4hi or 2wd. Finally had to unplug the connections and cycle the key and then plug everything back in.....then it unlocked.

 

When I declined the electronic shift during the order process the fleet guy took a second take,"are you sure?"
Wish I could help.

 

almost sounds like something to do with the neutral safety switch,

x2 on glad i have a manual shift !!

 

I'm thinking mix of switch and hard parts problem. When shift forks die they take out gears and chains too. Parts die because the switch starts going crazy and engaging while driving, thus gnashing and grinding parts together at road speed.

If I were you I'd test/replace switches as necessary. Also would be smart to get into the tcase and replace any compromised parts. What happens is if you don't, broken pieces and messed up parts will eventually cause a grenade affect in the tcase. This can blow a hole in the case itself. I've seen tcases repaired with jb weld. A little scary lol


x3 Manual shift tcase was priority. I turned down many a nice truck for it.

 

When I bought my truck in '03 I was told the electronic shift was the only option available.....sounds like I took it hook, line, and sinker. I'm pretty sure the only 4 door 4x4 duallys on the dealership lot that day had the e-shift and they were pushing for a sale.

I don't have any unusual sounds.....clanking, grinding etc....while the truck is moving. May take the shift actuator out and see what it's doing. Anyone have any schematics of the shift motor......i.e. will parts fall out when I remove it?

 

That's an NP273 right?

 

Yep....tag says 273 D

 

On my 2011 have to have the clutch to the floor to activate the switch, like when starting the engine, before it will shift to 4Lo.

 

When I bought my 03 I was told all SLT trucks had the electronic trans case
I was also told if I wanted leather seats I had to buy a SLT. I almost gave up the leather but I did'nt. Fortunatly in 279000kms ( 173000 miles) I have never had a problem with the transfer case electrics.
Jim O

 

When you are rolling in N be sure you are only creeping not rolling ,slightly too fast and it wont go.Wish mine was a stick too,but I have never had a problem but all it needs is a slight gear rotation with no pressure to mesh,but a slow walk speed is too fast.They are supposed to be quite reliable,but ya real trucks use sticks in my opinion.

 

Yeah, I agree....a t-case should be stick operated only!! As far as the truck moving and trying to get it to shift.....I've tried it all. All that's really left to do I reckon is to pull the shift motor out try and see if it shifts outside of the case.....if so, then the problem should be pinpointed right there. Probably gonna be next week before I can get to it.

 

Never had to do that before but I guess I'll give it a whirl and see what happens......all it can do is work right?

 

DING DING DING.......And we have a winner folks!!!!! Don't know why depressing the clutch let in engage 4lo but it did. Never had to do it before. Apparently that was the ONE thing I failed to try......but dadgummitt......it worked.

Thanks for the tip Flatlander