Transfer case/ Tranny replacement

J

jennifer77

New Member
2001 L400 Delica V6 Gas. Possibly need to replace or rebuild transfer case or maybe need a transmission as well. I've been told the transmission/transfer case is "Aisin" and is common in Cherokees and Tacoma's. Is this true? Can I find one at an auto Wreckers or is it slightly different. I'm not close enough to be sending one from the coast. Looking at options. Thanks!!
 
I’ve never seen one like these in another vehicle. I’m sure they do exist, or maybe there’s a similar replacement that doesn’t offer AWD, but I refer to this type of t case as a “5 position” even though it only has 4, that’s because most t cases have neutral and this one doesn’t. If it did it would have 5 positions. Of course you don’t really need awd, or 2wd for that matter if you can find one that doesnt have that position. Not sure what your situation is but if it were me I’d pull it out and find the breakage for sure, then you can also have a good view of the shape of it and compare to other units to see if you can find a match somehow. I’m sure someone will chime in here with an actual model number since aisin makes many models also. Not sure what you mean by can’t send one from the coast, is that Australia lingo? I thought Tacoma was a us market only vehicle. Anyway step one is to make sure you’re seeking the right part that’s broken. T case and tranny are totally separate large units, what are the symptoms?
 
Read through your other post and I don’t think a T case issue will cause a flashing N light on trans. It’s a separate unit and only has sensor switches on it for various mode lights. If no metal came out of it then I doubt it would be responsible. Since it happened after a bump i suspect it’s an electrical problem from pinched or rubbed wires. Possibly it thinks it should be in park. Could even be under dash board around steering column/shifter. Need to start probing wires and looking for good ground/ voltages
 
ShelbyD said:
Read through your other post and I don’t think a T case issue will cause a flashing N light on trans. It’s a separate unit and only has sensor switches on it for various mode lights. If no metal came out of it then I doubt it would be responsible. Since it happened after a bump i suspect it’s an electrical problem from pinched or rubbed wires. Possibly it thinks it should be in park. Could even be under dash board around steering column/shifter. Need to start probing wires and looking for good ground/ voltages
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Thanks for the reply! It's definitely an odd one. I've never had any previous symptoms or problems with tranny or transfer case that why I would also assume it's a sensor or something electrical after going over rail tracks. I've looked for broken wires, cables, anything out of the ordinary but can't see anything. I've looked under steering column, behind dash, computers ect. I haven't yet probed any wires. Van starts, moves through gears but no engagement as pulling forward. Feels like it's in park. Only noise it makes is a whirring in reverse.
 
jennifer77 said:
Thanks for the reply! It's definitely an odd one. I've never had any previous symptoms or problems with tranny or transfer case that why I would also assume it's a sensor or something electrical after going over rail tracks. I've looked for broken wires, cables, anything out of the ordinary but can't see anything. I've looked under steering column, behind dash, computers ect. I haven't yet probed any wires. Van starts, moves through gears but no engagement as pulling forward. Feels like it's in park. Only noise it makes is a whirring in reverse.
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Also the van is stuck in a small town in Saskatchewan. No mechanic here. I have a unheated garage, no floor jack and it's pretty darm cold right now. It's been interesting trying to navigate everything with a bottle jack.
 
They never break down in September lol. Yeah it does seem like the parking pawl has decided to engage without permission. i can imagine that throwing a blinking light code until you slowed to the point that it was able to lock. I don’t know a ton about those autos but if it’s a solenoid that throws the parking pawl into its lugs then check for voltage there when you put it in drive.
so when you run through the gears does it seem like its engaging gear, like rpm drop a few hundred as normal? Also the whirring in reverse is that for sure not turning the output shaft at that time? Like the pawl might be skipping and not locking the trans but trying to? I know you removed driveline so maybe look under while whirring, or engage 4wd and see if it actually backs up
 
ShelbyD said:
They never break down in September lol. Yeah it does seem like the parking pawl has decided to engage without permission. i can imagine that throwing a blinking light code until you slowed to the point that it was able to lock. I don’t know a ton about those autos but if it’s a solenoid that throws the parking pawl into its lugs then check for voltage there when you put it in drive.
so when you run through the gears does it seem like its engaging gear, like rpm drop a few hundred as normal? Also the whirring in reverse is that for sure not turning the output shaft at that time? Like the pawl might be skipping and not locking the trans but trying to? I know you removed driveline so maybe look under while whirring, or engage 4wd and see if it actually backs up
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I do notice when starting it up RPM is higher in park and neutral as it should. It drops when putting in gears but no engagement. The whirring noise happens with driveshaft on and off. No difference. I did look under the vehicle while going through gears and drive shaft definitely not turning. The blinking light started immediately after hitting the tracks and van felt like it went into limp mode. (Maybe the limp mode was the flashing light).Wouldn't go into overdrive. Drive shaft only locked up when I had stopped. I did try engaging 4x4 but nothing.
 
Like nails on a chalkboard lol. Worst thing ever....so expensive. I was supposed to down south in the warmth, camping all winter. Way she goes. Thanks for your help, much appreciated ☺️
 
Have you been able to remove driveshaft and determine if output flange can be turned. I am looking to isolate failed item.
re noise, I think when something fails that will lock up transfer case it is going to be noisy. Crunchy mechanical sounds.
Automatic transmissions fail fairly quietly if it has a hydraulic failure.
 
kbrown934 said:
Have you been able to remove driveshaft and determine if output flange can be turned. I am looking to isolate failed item.
re noise, I think when something fails that will lock up transfer case it is going to be noisy. Crunchy mechanical sounds.
Automatic transmissions fail fairly quietly if it has a hydraulic failure.
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I'll be checking that this week. Hopefully tomorrow.We are just starting to warm up enough that I'll be able to do it. We have just been to cold lately.

I've heard that when a transfer case goes, you can disconnect the driveshaft, put in 4wd and essentially turn your vehicle into front wheel drive. People have done it to get themselves out of the bush. I did try it awhile back but didn't budge.
 
Transmission manufacturer is Aisin. They make enormous quantities and varieties of automatic transmissions. Generally they are strong and durable.
I believe transmission is same or similar to Jeep Cherokee. The bell housing section that connects transmission body to engine is likely very different between Jeep and Mitsubishi. That may be transferable. The other end of transmission has to mate with the transfer case. This will involve bolt patterns and shaft diameters and matching spline counts. For example the output shaft spline count is different between the five speed and the automatic transmissions, and thus the input to the transfer cases are also different. On this end I do not have a clue.
 
jennifer77 said:
I'll be checking that this week. Hopefully tomorrow.We are just starting to warm up enough that I'll be able to do it. We have just been to cold lately.

I've heard that when a transfer case goes, you can disconnect the driveshaft, put in 4wd and essentially turn your vehicle into front wheel drive. People have done it to get themselves out of the bush. I did try it awhile back but didn't budge.
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Transfer case feeds front and rear ends, so depending on its fail mode FWD will not work. If you blow up a rear driveshaft then yes, that is a good way to get home but that isn’t a t case problem it’s external to it. I can imagine some failure modes where that would work but generally not ones where the offending trauma was a simple RR track.
 
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