Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 2456

BR/BE
TRANSFER CASE - NV231HD (Continued)
The 4x2 range is for use on any road surface at
any time.
The 4x4 and 4 Lo ranges are for off road use only.
They are not for use on hard surface roads. The only
exception being when the road surface is covered by
ice and snow.
The low range reduction gear system is operative
in 4 Lo range only. This range is for extra pulling
power in off road situations. Low range reduction
ratio is 2.72:1.
A front axle disconnect system is used to achieve
two-wheel drive mode. The axle disconnect vacuum
motor is actuated by a vacuum switch on the transfer
case. The switch is operated by the transfer case
range rod.
SHIFT MECHANISM
The transfer case is operated by an adjustable floor
mounted shift linkage. The transfer case shift lever
is directly attached to the shift sector. The sector
operates the range and mode forks within the trans-
fer case.
A straight line shift pattern is used with a NEU-
TRAL detent. Lever range positions are imprinted in
the shift knob.
Condition
Transfer Case difficult to shift or will
not shift into desired range.
Transfer Case noisy in all operating
ranges.
SHIFTING
The synchronizer components allow the transfer
case to be shifted between the 2H and 4H operating
ranges while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle
must have the transmission placed in NEUTRAL, or
the clutch depressed in the case of a manual trans-
mission, and be moving less than 2-3 MPH when
shifting into the 4L operating range.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRANSFER CASE
Before beginning repair on a suspected transfer
case malfunction, check all other driveline compo-
nents beforehand.
The actual cause of a problem may be related to
such items as: front hubs, axles, propeller shafts,
wheels and tires, transmission, or clutch instead. If
all other driveline components are in good condition
and operating properly, refer to the Diagnosis Chart
for further information.
DIAGNOSIS CHART
Possible Cause
1) Vehicle speed too great to permit
shifting.
2) If vehicle was operated for an
extended period in 4H on a dry
paved surface, the driveline torque
load may be causing a bind.
3) Transfer case external shift
linkage binding.
4) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant.
5) Internal components binding,
worn, or damaged.
1) Insufficient or incorrect lubricant.
TRANSFER CASE - NV231HD
Correction
1) Stop vehicle and shift into
desired range. Or, reduce speed to
below 3-4 km/h (2-3 mph) before
attempting the shift.
2) Stop vehicle and shift the
transmission into neutral. Shift the
transfer case to 2H and operate
vehicle in 2H on dry paved
surfaces.
3) Lubricate, repair, or replace
linkage bushings, or tighten loose
components as necessary.
4) Drain and refill to edge of fill hole
with Mopar ATF +4, type 9602,
Automatic Transmission fluid.
5) Disassemble the transfer case
and replace worn or damaged
components as necessary.
1) Drain and refill to edge of fill hole
with Mopar ATF +4, type 9602,
Automatic Transmission fluid.
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