Transfer Case Module replacement

[pathy200086]

Hello everyone, I've been a long time lurker but this is my first post. Let me give you a bit of background information to help with the topic I'm about to discuss. I've owned a 2000 R50 Series 2 VG33E Pathfinder for about 13 years. It's an amazing 4WD and my first car. I've spent a lot of time over the years upgrading it bit by bit. Living in Australia, there isn't much aftermarket support for the R50 Pathfinder, so getting parts has been difficult. 

 

Back in 2022, I was out camping with a few mates and made the stupid decision to cross a rather large section of water on the way to the campsite. Long story short, I misjudged how deep it was and what the bottom was like. I should have walked it, but I didn't, and my pride and joy got stuck and filled with water. By some miracle, my engine survived, but both diffs were filled with water, and my car put itself into limp mode. I ended up getting it to the blacktop and got the old girl towed home. It took me the better part of a month to clean the mud out of the inside. 

 

Fast forward to one month ago, I was planning another camping trip, but when I tried to test 4low, it wouldn't engage. I have Warn free-wheeling hubs, so I took it to an auto electrician, and they found that my transfer case module was full of mud and corrosion. It turns out the module was destroyed. I wanted to know if the transfer case module is the same for all years with the R50 Pathfinder that has the VG33E engine, or are they different? Can I use a module from a different model 4WD with the same engine? I have linked a few pictures of mine.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NZq9DocHzDwZQTQQ7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vmQQLPsszmnPMaFp7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3fXHs3jQkAFvvTWw9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tqZ9BmJyY76kYPp96

[Slartibartfast]

Oof. Yeah, that's deep! You're lucky if that module's the only thing that responded poorly.

 

I have not heard of any other model using the ATX14A automatic transfer (which I assume is what you have, given it's got a control unit). I've seen two variants of that, one with just a heater knob on the dash for 2h/auto/4h/4l, and one with a knob or buttons for 2/auto/4 and a manual shifter for high/low. I imagine you'll need to match the donor to the control style that yours has to get the right module. The case numbers didn't get me anywhere, but might be something you can confirm against a possible replacement at the wrecking yard. Hopefully they're not coded in or something dumb like that.

[pathy200086]

14 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Oof. Yeah, that's deep! You're lucky if that module's the only thing that responded poorly.

 

I have not heard of any other model using the ATX14A automatic transfer (which I assume is what you have, given it's got a control unit). I've seen two variants of that, one with just a heater knob on the dash for 2h/auto/4h/4l, and one with a knob or buttons for 2/auto/4 and a manual shifter for high/low. I imagine you'll need to match the donor to the control style that yours has to get the right module. The case numbers didn't get me anywhere, but might be something you can confirm against a possible replacement at the wrecking yard. Hopefully they're not coded in or something dumb like that.

Do you happen to know if the transfer case control module for the R50 Pathfinder is the same for all Pathfinders that are equipped with the VG33E engine? I have come across many transfer case control modules online, but the first five numbers on the part number are the same, while the last five numbers are different on most of them. They do mention that these modules are for 2005 models and up, so I am assuming they are meant for the VQ35DE engine and might not be compatible with mine.

[pathy200086]

14 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Oof. Yeah, that's deep! You're lucky if that module's the only thing that responded poorly.

Yeah I'm really surprised I didn't kill the engine, I heard the VG33E is pretty reliable I didn't really believe it until that day

[Slartibartfast]

I have no idea what fits what, but I did a little more poking around. I found a whole lot of modules that start with 33084, for a bunch of different vehicles and transmissions, but none with your full PN. Looks like 33084 says what it's for, and the rest of the part number says what it fits. I couldn't find any transfer modules listed for an '00 R50, or any year R50 that I searched, which is weird.

 

But yeah, given how many flavors there are of this thing, I'm guessing the numbers do need to match up.

 

IMO you've got two options at this point, and both involve scouring wrecking yards. Option one, find the same-ish year R50, same engine, same transmission, same transfer case, and hope it's got the same module in it. Option two, find an R50 with the TX10A manual transfer, and grab that, the shift linkage, the center console, probably the trans tunnel plate too if they're built that way, and convert yours to a transfer case that doesn't need no stinkin' computer. I don't know for sure that having that module gone wouldn't take something else out, but if it drives around as-is, and everything else seems to work, then hopefully it won't mind.

 

I am still assuming I know what transfer case you've got. Does the knob have an "auto" position? I haven't heard of any other transfers being used on these, but Nissan does seem to enjoy changing weird things for no apparent reason.

[pathy200086]

11 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I am still assuming I know what transfer case you've got. Does the knob have an "auto" position? I haven't heard of any other transfers being used on these, but Nissan does seem to enjoy changing weird things for no apparent reason.

yeah this is the 4WD Knob that's currently on my R50 sorry for the quality picture I grabbed this off google https://photos.app.goo.gl/R3LXPNDLNDSL6i4G8

[pathy200086]

11 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

IMO you've got two options at this point, and both involve scouring wrecking yards. Option one, find the same-ish year R50, same engine, same transmission, same transfer case, and hope it's got the same module in it. Option two, find an R50 with the TX10A manual transfer, and grab that, the shift linkage, the center console, probably the trans tunnel plate too if they're built that way, and convert yours to a transfer case that doesn't need no stinkin' computer. I don't know for sure that having that module gone wouldn't take something else out, but if it drives around as-is, and everything else seems to work, then hopefully it won't mind.

I have considered converting my vehicle to a manual transfer, but the amount of work involved is overwhelming. Unfortunately, I am not skilled enough to do it myself and there are no shops near me that would take on the task. I am hoping to find the right transfer case module, but it seems like a long shot. It might be best to cut my losses and replace my vehicle, even though I really don't want to. It's starting to look like one of those 'if all the stars align' situations

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, I think that's the same knob that's on the US trucks with the all-mode. Anyone here with the all-mode box want to check the numbers on your module? Long shot that the US-spec computer would be the same.

 

[pathy200086]

On 5/4/2024 at 9:46 PM, Slartibartfast said:

Yeah, I think that's the same knob that's on the US trucks with the all-mode. Anyone here with the all-mode box want to check the numbers on your module? Long shot that the US-spec computer would be the same.

just thought I would let you know I ended up finding Transfer Case Module with the same part number as mine for $189 a lot better then paying $2000 from Nissan,thanks are bunch for your help Slartibartfast hopefully it's just plug and play and no reprogramming needed.