awd tcase noise, 4wd sticks

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ROCKSBITE

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i was getting this grinding noise at different speeds and rpms. mostly while accelerating but occasionaly while slowing down. the fluid was black and watery, so i changed it and the noise got better. but wheni put it into 4wdhi it gets reall really bad. sounds like the entire driveline is dry. and it doesnt kick out when i swtich back to awd. until i back up a few feet

i was told it could be the tcase pump and the gears inside. i really hope not. any ideas?
 

AvroAero

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Transfer cases are expensive fyi. Even used. If you wanted to try you could cut the lead to the clutch on in the transfer case. Although its more likely the mechanical engagement thats problemed by what you said the transfer case is damn expensive you could try it beforehand. Or you could try and just pull the connector and see what happens.
 
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ROCKSBITE

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ok i pulled the fuse for the 4x4 system and i have no noises at all.

if i read right the awd is a clutch that engages to speed up the front wheels. the 4x4 is a mechanical motor on the side of the tcase. if i have a minor noise in awd and a major noise in 4wd hi. how do i test it? is there a way to maually put it in to 4wd hi with out the motor? if the shift motor cant ir isnt putting it in to gear all the way i could see it making this noise
 
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ROCKSBITE

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i took it to a trans shop and he said teh noise is because of the front tires being a different kind and the they were worn differently so they will measure different
 

AvroAero

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Yea, the A4WD doesn't like different tire sizes. The computer thinks these always a diference in axle speeds. I cut my A4WD system out to get rid of any problems, I like 2WD better anyways.
 
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ROCKSBITE

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yeah i get much better mpg with 2wd. but winter is coming. with different tires would it still do it in 4wd and in gravel?
 

AvroAero

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Which fuse did you pull? The one that cuts the a4wd and 4wd out? Fuse 104 in the battery junction box, pull that. Then find fuse 23 under the dash, pull that also. Those feed the a4wd. Fuse 23 may kill a few things including overhead console, heated seats, and rear AC. Although it is possible that that module could get power from another module (looking at the diagram). If you want a bullet proof method cut the brown wire on the harness on your transfer case. The one that strays alone. You can always splice it back together. Tape it up.

Try seeing if it still does it, if it doesn't then your a4wd is messing up somewhere (maybe constantly trying to engage). Do you get any jerking when you drive? If it doesn't stop anything, then your more likely to be in the area of a screwed transfer case or motor. If so maybe check the motor and see whats its getting for power. Compare the readings with it in 2wd, a4wd, 4hi, and 4low if you can get there. Maybe one of the shift relays is welded, or a module is fuxed.
 
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