Hi all,
looking for some help with my moms 1999 Dodge dakota sport, V8 5.2 L, for a while now it has been having issues with the 4x4 not staying engaged. what happens is when we are trying to use 4x4, she stops, puts the transmission in N, puts it either 4 H or 4 Lo, whichever is required at the time, we will begin to use it and it will work for a short while (depends on how hard its pulling), after that time, it will make a HORRIBLE grinding noise coming from right under the shift lever for 4wd, if you shift 4wd off (2wd) the noise continues until you back up ( I assume 4wd refuses to disengage very easily is why?) once it disengages it goes on as if nothing happened (without 4wd of course), if 4x4 is engage it will repeat the process. their is no check engine light.

We have a few other problems which I think we have narrowed down, most of them. so that maybe you can make some form of connections here?

first we have what is called "wild vents" we have tested the vacuum hoses, by spraying some ether around the hoses and listening to any increase in idle, ...nothing. we havent found out what is causing this yet.

we have a VERY ANNOYING! buzzing noise that happens sometimes at speeds around 100- 120 KM/hr, it gets worse in some high winds, sometimes it doesnt happen, sometimes it does, pretty sure this is either the bug deflectors vibrating, or my mom feels it could be the oil pump, as there is an oil pump noise while stopped right by the drivers side door area?
We tried to order a 4x4 actuator but the dodge dealers can't find one existing on the 5.2 /NV231 transfer case, just on Dodge Ram.

most of the times, when driving in 2wd, we can sit and idle while we get out to do something and there's some sort of grinding noise coming from, the transfer case area? we havent found the solution to this yet, we have just ordered a transfer case to instal ourselves, thinking this might fix alot of our issues but am looking for any of your input?

We had a garage put in a rebuilt transfer case and transmission last year and it has never worked since neither did cruise control and all the noises were present. The garage is no help and doesn't care so we are best off doing it ourselves this time.

THanks very much for any help and feel free to ask any questions you need.
Donny

 

Hi Donny. Welcome to the forums!

First off, there is no 4x4 actuator. It's all mechanical from the shift linkage to the transfer case.

On the transfer case, you do know it's only supposed to be used when in "slippery" conditions. That means basically snow or sand. It isn't full time 4wd, not on the NV231. You can damage the transfer case driving on dry pavement.

It sounds like there may be an internal problem with it. It may not come out of gear if there is any binding.

Give us some more info on the "wild vents?" I assume you mean the a/c vents change position on you when you accelerate?

Describe this "oil pump" noise? It's unlikely to be the oil pump, more likely it is the power steering pump or torque converter. This would explain the other noise you hear.

There should be no noise from the transfer case area when the vehicle is in Park, it is an automatic isn't it? None of those parts would be moving.

 

Hi Dan,
Thanks for the welcome!

And thanks very much for confirming our beliefs about there being no actuator.

Yes we did know that it can only be used on "slippery (ice/snow etc.) conditions and has only been used in such conditions. no long term driving in 4wd, only to get out of a bind or out of the driveway when it hasn't been plowed with 2 feet of snow (the grader does our driveway last, so we have to wait a while after a snow storm, and live very rural)

Yes the exactly the blower changes from the floor to all over the place when accelerating.

well their are two separate buzzing noises, the first sounds like it is at the very front of the firewall area, it sounds like a loud squealing, buzzing noise that start around 90-100 KM/h and gets worse with speed or on windy days (one mechanic said it extremely annoying squeal, and figured it is electrical, checked the alternator output and said it was fine, just annoying, we have changed the alternator three times through out, taped up many things that could "vibrate in the wind", and unless we find someone that fits under the hood while were driving highway speeds, we wont know the exact location of where its coming from. if you listen out the pass window, it sounds like its coming from the drivers side, and visa versa, if you listen with both windows done up, it sounds like it is coming from the center bottom of the windshield.

Now the second buzzing noise we thought might be an oil pump (I shouldn't have added those two together in the same paragraph), you can only hear it once the transmission is warmed up, you can hear if very clearly if you, stop put it in park and get out and lean down, its straight under the vehicle looking straight at the transfer case, we have felt the transfer case and it does not vibrate, ( yes indeed it is an automatic, but 4WD shifts with a manual lever) we get this constant sloppy buzzing noise (almost like something turning on a ruff bearing).

This has been a new refurbished transmission that's made this noise since installing it. (the one from under the pickup area), should a refurbished transmission not have taken care of the torque converter also?? and are there any symptoms of its failure? Are you thinking that the garage didn't seat the converter fully in place and it has busted the pump gear out from the beginning? It doesn't sound that far ahead, but I suppose the sound could always travel through the components. When we are listening, we have never used a stethoscope, just by ear.


Also are there any symptoms for the failure of the power steering pump, steering is easy, there is no jerky or whiny noises while steering, it steers easy and smooth.

Thanks for the help.

Donny

 

It might be a transmission pump that you're hearing, not the engine or power steering. It could just be a noisy pump or maybe it's cavitating. How's the tranny fluid? I'm not thinking they messed up the torque converter but you shouldn't hear grinding either.

That other noise, if wind is affecting it it may be the bug deflector.

On the vents, look near the brake booster and you'll see a small plastic vacuum line going into a fitting. That fitting is a check valve. When it fails the doors will open and close as you accelerate/decelerate. Replace it. It shouldn't be much. It's a vaccum check valve, I can't find the part number. The dealer would know exactly what I mean.

 

The tranny fluid is good and has been changed at regular intervals. The transmission itself shifts smoothly and seems to have no issues that are at all noticeable. But the 4x4 grinds then pops out of gear almost as instant as you try to go ahead with 4x4 engaged. Perhaps that issue is separate from the oil pump noise.
Thanks for the directions to find the check valve for the vacuum line for the heater vent.
that helps alot for that issue. The bug deflector also. We located a transfer case at an auto wreckers he said has 105 km on it. He said it also is on a 1999 dodge dakota, V8,automatic transmission with 120 day warranty... He called back to say it could be picked up tomorrow and if the shift motor on the transfer case was in as good of shape as the transfer case, he would leave that on it as well. My question is, Dodge dakota didn't come out with the electric / push button shift in 1999 did they ?? My moms truck doesn't appear to have a shift motor nor does it make sense to have one as you manually put the stick shift into either neutral, 2wd, High 4x4 or Low 4x4. If the one he has does in fact have the shift motor, then it won't work right ? (it would be the wrong one ?)..did the NV231 transfer case have both types in 1999 ?Is it possible to remove the shift motor and instead mount the lever mechanism instead ? (if it infact it has the motor and the guy wasn't just mistaken, as he had not taken it off the vehicle yet?)
I appreciate your patients and valued knowledge very much.
Donny

 

what failed in the original transmission/transfercase? That may be the first clue to what is wrong now, especially if they put rebuilt crap in.

rebuilt = replaced what was broken, and left everything else as was...which may or may not include metal shavings, chipped gears, worn bands, worn front pump, ......

 

The transmission wouldn't go into second or over drive, was still topped up but had burnt oil. It also shifted with a real clunk or jerk when it did shift and was slipping. The rebuilt transmission solved that transmission issue completely.
...The transfer case was popping out of gear, wouldn't stay in 4x4...it would pop out with a big clunk and jerk....the rebuilt one which was put in never fixed anything but was almost worse yet. We adjusted the shift rod and double checked it several times but it didn't change anything.
To date the transmission works fine ....the transfer case...not so much.

 

Makes me wonder if they put another vehicle's rebuilt in, or just rebuilt the one you had. I always prefer the one that's in there to be rebuilt.

As far as the transfercase, I'm wondering if they even changed it. Either way, sounds like the shift forks or something have gone away inside.

 

Yes they did just put someone elses rebuilt in for the tranny.
The transfer case my Mom absolutely thinks they just put the same one back in , likely got rammy which explains all the same condition only more pronounced....being that the NV231
transfercase in 1999 no longer used the CAD setup, but instead the internal fork with a shift rod, trunion, and linkage , perhaps it would be a good idea to change at least the shift rod and trunion, range lever..well all but the actual shift lever, my Moms thinking that stuff might be bent too especially if they got rammy with it ?

Thank you very much for all your input in this matter, it is helping to reassure us that it was a good idea plan on changing the transfer case. And everything your saying completely resonates with what has been happening.

Donny

 

for the nv231 case. there is a chain in them with a manual tentioner (also knows and the 4x4 lever.) when you engage 4x4 either high or low it does two things first it slids the main chain gear on the the output shaft of the tranny second it applys tention to the chain to take up the slack (needed to allow the collar to slide.) most of the time the chain streaches . this will cause that grinding nasty noise. but be careful when changing the chain(only like 80 bucks from dodge) if you move the collars and dont get them lined up no 4x4 or forward movement. you may want to listen well going down the highway because the chain sometimes rubs on the case and make what sounds like a wheel bearing going bad under your seat