NV243 Transfer Case - Service Information: Overview RAM Pickup 3500

DESCRIPTION

The NV243 is an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with a low range gear reduction system. The NV243 has three operating ranges plus a NEUTRAL position. The low range system provides a gear reduction ratio for increased low speed torque capability.

The geartrain is mounted in two aluminum case halves attached with bolts. The mainshaft front and rear bearings are mounted in aluminum retainer housings bolted to the case halves.

OPERATION

The input gear is splined to the transmission output shaft. The input gear drives the mainshaft through the planetary assembly and range sleeve. The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain that connects the shaft to a drive sprocket on the mainshaft. The drive sprocket is engaged/disengaged by the mode fork, which operates the mode sleeve and hub. The sleeve and hub are not equipped with a synchronizer mechanism for shifting.

The shift motor (2) consists of a permanent magnet D.C. motor with gear reduction to convert a high speed-low torque device into a low speed-high torque device. The output of the device is coupled to a shaft which internally moves the mode and range forks that change the transfer case operating ranges. The motor is rated at 25 amps maximum at 23° C (72° F) with 10 volts at the motor leads.

The transfer case shift motor responds to the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) commands to move the transfer case shift sector bi-directionally, as required, to obtain the transfer case operating mode indicated by the instrument panel mounted selector switch.

The shift motor (2) consists of a permanent magnet D.C. motor with gear reduction to convert a high speed-low torque device into a low speed-high torque device. The output of the device is coupled to a shaft which internally moves the mode and range forks that change the transfer case operating ranges. The motor is rated at 25 amps maximum at 23° C (72° F) with 10 volts at the motor leads.

The transfer case shift motor responds to the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) commands to move the transfer case shift sector bi-directionally, as required, to obtain the transfer case operating mode indicated by the instrument panel mounted selector switch.

During normal vehicle operation, the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) monitors the mode sensor outputs at least every 250 (+/-50) milliseconds when the shift motor is stationary and 400 microseconds when the shift motor is active. A mode sensor signal between 3.8 Volts and 0.8 Volts is considered to be undefined.

Refer to the SECTOR ANGLES vs.TRANSFER CASE POSITION table below for the relative angles of the transfer case shift sector versus the interpreted transfer case gear operating mode. Refer to the MODE SENSOR CHANNEL STATES table below for the sensor codes returned to the TCCM for each transfer case mode sensor position. The various between gears positions can also be referred as the transfer case's coarse position. These coarse positions come into play during shift attempts.

SECTOR ANGLES vs. TRANSFER CASE POSITION

MODE SENSOR CHANNEL STATES

Scheme 2

The selector switch assembly is mounted in the left side of the vehicle's Instrument Panel (IP) and consists of a rotary knob connected to a resistive network for the mode and range shift selections. see scheme 89 Also located in this assembly is a recessed, normally open momentary switch for making shifts into and out of transfer case NEUTRAL. A pen, or similar instrument, is used to make a NEUTRAL shift selection, thus reducing the likelihood of an inadvertent shift request.

The selector switch also contains four light emitting diode's (LED's) to indicate the transfer case position and whether a shift is in progress.

As the position of the selector switch varies, the resistance between the Mode Sensor supply voltage pin and the Mode Sensor output will vary. Hardware, software, and calibrations within the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) are provided that interpret the SELECTOR SWITCH RESISTANCE as given in the table below

SELECTOR SWITCH INTERPRETATION

For resistances between the ranges B-E (shown in the table above) for each valid position (T-Case NEUTRAL, 4LO, 4HI, 2WD), the DTCM may interpret the resistance as

1. either of the neighboring valid positions.
2. as an invalid fault position.

For resistances between the ranges E and F (shown in the table above) for 2WD and in-between positions, the DTCM may interpret the resistance as

1. the 2WD position.
2. an invalid fault position.
3. a valid in-between position.

For resistances between the ranges F and G (shown in the table above) for in-between positions and fault condition (open), the DTCM may interpret the resistance as

1. a valid in-between position.
2. an invalid fault position.

For resistances between the ranges A and B (shown in the table above) for the fault condition (short) and T-Case NEUTRAL, the DTCM may interpret the resistance as

1. the T-Case NEUTRAL position.
2. an invalid fault position.

The LED's in the selector assembly are illuminated/flashed in the following manner to indicate a particular condition or state.

1. A solidly illuminated LED indicates a successfully completed shift and the current operating mode of the transfer case. While a shift has been requested but not yet completed, the LED for the desired transfer case position is flashed.
2. A flashing operating mode LED for the desired gear indicates that a shift to that position has been requested, but all of the driver controllable conditions have not been met. This is in an attempt to notify the driver that the transmission needs to be put into NEUTRAL, the vehicle speed is too great, or some other condition outlined (other than a diagnostic failure that would prevent this shift) elsewhere is not met. Refer to «MODULE, Drivetrain Control, Operation»(ref-457810-S02427316202012030200000) . Note that this flashing will continue indefinitely until the conditions are eventually met, or the selector switch position is changed, or if diagnostic routines no longer allow the requested shift.
3. If the driver attempts to make a shift into transfer case NEUTRAL, and any of the driver controllable conditions are not met, the request will be ignored until all of the conditions are met or until the NEUTRAL select button is released. Additionally the neutral lamp will flash, or begin to flash while the button is depressed and operator controllable conditions are not being met. All of the LED's except the Neutral will flash if any of the operator controllable conditions for shifting are not met while the Neutral button is depressed. This "toggle" type of feature is necessary because the TCCM would interpret another request immediately after the shift into transfer case NEUTRAL has completed.
4. No LED's illuminated indicate a fault in the transfer case control system.