4WD Transfer Case Motor

[pathy200086]

Hello, 

I would like to get some information about a Transfer Case Motor. I have uploaded a picture of what it looks like this isn't mine the picture is from google. My vehicle is a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder with a VG33E engine. It has a dial that switches between 2WD, Auto, 4Hi, and 4Low. However, I'm not sure which type of 4WD Transfer Case it has.

 

My question is whether this Transfer Case Motor was used in newer models. I’ve seen it labeled on other Nissans, such as https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/256444199287?_trksid=p4375194.c101949.m162918, which mentions it fits the 2005-2015 Nissan Armada and the 2005-2010 QX56 Pathfinder. It looks the same as mine. 

Could anyone with more knowledge help clarify if it would fit?

 

Thank you

 

Edited June 12 by pathy200086

[pathy200086]

I have also seen this part on are R51 pathfinder https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/197315907646?ul_noapp=true

[pathy200086]

I also have no idea what the part number is since I cant see it on mine anymore there was a sticker on but it's long gone since it's 25 years old now.

[Slartibartfast]

Sounds like you've got the ATX14A transfer. Complicated little blighter, but I'm told they're nice on patchy surfaces. FWIW, the motor only shifts high/low. 2/4 has a clutch pack, which is how the auto mode works.

 

I had a poke around on Nissanpartsdeal and found four different listings for a shift motor for that gearbox. 29010-0W421     (which, weirdly, is listed for the TX10A part-time transfer case, which has to be a typo, because that's a manual box, and as such it doesn't have a shift motor), 29010-0W422,  29010-2W510 , or 29010-2W51A (also listed as fitting the part-time box). That last one is listed as replacing the other three, so I'm assuming they're all functionally identical, and the differences between them were minor revisions or different suppliers or something along those lines.

 

The '05 R51 service manual calls its equivalent transfer case ATX14B. I assume this is a variant of your ATX14A. The shift motor sure does look similar. The PNs I found are 29010-7S111, and its replacement, 29010-7S11A. Given the similar part numbers and function, I assume these just more revisions of the earlier shift motor. None of the earlier part numbers list either of these as a replacement, but that just means they weren't intended to interchange, not that they definitely don't. Naturally they don't tell you what they revised. It may be something that doesn't matter, as it apparently doesn't with the first four PNs. Or it might be something that does matter, like the bolt pattern, or the connector, or the range switch, or the shape of the output. 

 

If you can't get the right part, I would compare the TF sections of the R50 and R51 service manuals to see if there's anything obviously different. If the motor's wired the same way around, same test specs, same linkage attached to it, then maybe it's worth taking a chance on--if you can't track down the part that's listed for your application.

 

Worth noting, I was not able to spec a 2000 R50 with an ATX14A and a VG33 on NPD, so it's possible you've got some regional variant that we didn't get here. Or maybe that's what the messed-up listings for -0W421 and -2W51A were supposed to say? In any case, I'm looking at a US dealer's parts lookup, and assuming they apply to your Australian truck. Again, probably a good idea to confirm the part numbers by VIN and/or with a local source, on the off chance Nissan did something dumb.

 

Good luck! Let us know how it goes if you try the R51 part. Might help the next guy.

Edited June 12 by Slartibartfast

[pathy200086]

On 6/12/2025 at 3:54 PM, Slartibartfast said:

Sounds like you've got the ATX14A transfer. Complicated little blighter, but I'm told they're nice on patchy surfaces. FWIW, the motor only shifts high/low. 2/4 has a clutch pack, which is how the auto mode works.

 

I had a poke around on Nissanpartsdeal and found four different listings for a shift motor for that gearbox. 29010-0W421     (which, weirdly, is listed for the TX10A part-time transfer case, which has to be a typo, because that's a manual box, and as such it doesn't have a shift motor), 29010-0W422,  29010-2W510 , or 29010-2W51A (also listed as fitting the part-time box). That last one is listed as replacing the other three, so I'm assuming they're all functionally identical, and the differences between them were minor revisions or different suppliers or something along those lines.

 

The '05 R51 service manual calls its equivalent transfer case ATX14B. I assume this is a variant of your ATX14A. The shift motor sure does look similar. The PNs I found are 29010-7S111, and its replacement, 29010-7S11A. Given the similar part numbers and function, I assume these just more revisions of the earlier shift motor. None of the earlier part numbers list either of these as a replacement, but that just means they weren't intended to interchange, not that they definitely don't. Naturally they don't tell you what they revised. It may be something that doesn't matter, as it apparently doesn't with the first four PNs. Or it might be something that does matter, like the bolt pattern, or the connector, or the range switch, or the shape of the output. 

 

If you can't get the right part, I would compare the TF sections of the R50 and R51 service manuals to see if there's anything obviously different. If the motor's wired the same way around, same test specs, same linkage attached to it, then maybe it's worth taking a chance on--if you can't track down the part that's listed for your application.

 

Worth noting, I was not able to spec a 2000 R50 with an ATX14A and a VG33 on NPD, so it's possible you've got some regional variant that we didn't get here. Or maybe that's what the messed-up listings for -0W421 and -2W51A were supposed to say? In any case, I'm looking at a US dealer's parts lookup, and assuming they apply to your Australian truck. Again, probably a good idea to confirm the part numbers by VIN and/or with a local source, on the off chance Nissan did something dumb.

 

Good luck! Let us know how it goes if you try the R51 part. Might help the next guy.

Edited Thursday at 03:55 PM by Slartibartfast

Thank you for the information, Slartibartfast! This is really helpful. I'll compare the R50 and R51 to see if I notice any differences. I'm not very experienced with these things, but I'll give it a try. If all else fails, I might have to look for an R51 transfer motor and hope it works!

 

I should have mentioned why I posted this from the start. A few years ago, during a camping trip, I drove my Pathfinder into really deep water. Long story short, it stopped and flooded the inside, but somehow, the engine remained unscathed. Last year, I was planning another camping trip, but my Pathfinder wouldn’t shift into 4LO. I discovered that the ECU and the 4WD actuator on the side of the transfer case were damaged. It took me a while, but I managed to find some second-hand spare parts, got them fitted, and thought I was back in action. Fast forward to the present day: I decided to engage the 4WD since it had been three months since I last engage to keep the gears lubed up.

 

Here’s the procedure I follow when engaging 4WD: Since I have free-wheeling hubs, I start by switching them from 4x2 to 4x4. Then, I jump into the Pathfinder, start it up, put my foot on the brake, shift to Neutral (N), and turn the dial from 2WD to Auto, then to 4Hi. The lights on the dash indicate that I’m in 4Hi, and when I switch to 4Lo, that light comes on as well. I can hear it switch between 4Hi and 4LOW, but when I shift from N to either Drive, Park, or Reverse, the orange 4WD light comes on. If I ignore that and drive it forward and backward. It’s definitely in 4LOW, but that light has me worried.

 

I suspect the issue is with the transfer case motor. When I took it to the mechanic, he removed that motor and found it caked with mud and corrosion. He cleaned it up as best he could but recommended replacing it soon if I plan to go off-road. To make matters worse, since I tried to engage the 4WD the other day, I think it may be stuck in 4Hi, even though the dash says I’m in 2WD. It feels different, and the steering seems heavier than normal. It could all be in my head, and it might actually be in 2WD. I also have a very slight leak in my steering rack, which I'm getting looked at on the 24th of this month.

Edited June 15 by pathy200086

[Slartibartfast]

Easy enough to check if it's in 4HI. Lock the hubs, jack up one front corner, see if the wheel spins freely. If it does, it's not in 4WD. If it doesn't, it's in 2WD. You might have to do this with the engine running, I'm not sure if the auto transfer stays locked in when it's not powered up. AFAIK the engagement of the 4WD is done entirely by the clutches in that box, and the motor is just for shifting between high and low range, so if it is stuck in 4x, that may have nothing to do with the motor.

 

There is a self-diagnostic procedure in the service manual to see what the warning light means, and it's a blinky-lights setup, so you don't need a scanner. That'll at least tell you what the computer is upset about. The manuals are free at Nicoclub. It starts on TF-63 of the '03 manual.

 

How's the fluid look?

[pathy200086]

17 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Easy enough to check if it's in 4HI. Lock the hubs, jack up one front corner, see if the wheel spins freely. If it does, it's not in 4WD. If it doesn't, it's in 2WD. You might have to do this with the engine running, I'm not sure if the auto transfer stays locked in when it's not powered up. AFAIK the engagement of the 4WD is done entirely by the clutches in that box, and the motor is just for shifting between high and low range, so if it is stuck in 4x, that may have nothing to do with the motor.

 

There is a self-diagnostic procedure in the service manual to see what the warning light means, and it's a blinky-lights setup, so you don't need a scanner. That'll at least tell you what the computer is upset about. The manuals are free at Nicoclub. It starts on TF-63 of the '03 manual.

 

How's the fluid look?

I found a second-hand transfer case motor and took it to the mechanics today. They informed me that the old motor had fried and was blowing a fuse. They installed the new motor and replaced the fuse, and now it works, but the motor spins freely. They suggested that there might be an issue with the spur gear inside the transfer case itself.

The 4WD ECU is functioning properly, and the shift actuator that engages 4HI and 4LOW is also working. The two switches near the transfer case motor are operational, but it seems to be stuck in 4WD, which corresponds to the "Auto" setting on the dial. The mechanics assured me that as long as I avoid engaging the free-wheeling hubs on anything other than dirt roads, I should be able to drive it normally without causing any damage.

 

They mentioned that I would be better off getting a second transfer case and transferring all the external parts from mine to the new one, as that would be the cheaper option. I found a transfer case on eBay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/195794492658?chn=ps&_ul=AU&google_free_listing_action=view_item&gQT=2, and I'm planning to send the seller my VIN to ensure it’s the right one. I'm not sure if it's an ATX14A or TX10A; can you tell just by looking at it?

[Slartibartfast]

I haven't worked with the ATX14A, but I'm seeing a manual shift lever and no motor. Looks like a TX10A to me. Here's an ATX14A for comparison, though it's in the US.

 

The Auto setting should be 2WD until it notices wheel slip, at which point it applies the clutches to send power forward. If it's properly stuck in 4WD, then, yeah, something ain't right inside. I think your mechanic has the right idea with throwing a used one at it, assuming you can find one.

[pathy200086]

13 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I haven't worked with the ATX14A, but I'm seeing a manual shift lever and no motor. Looks like a TX10A to me. Here's an ATX14A for comparison, though it's in the US.

 

The Auto setting should be 2WD until it notices wheel slip, at which point it applies the clutches to send power forward. If it's properly stuck in 4WD, then, yeah, something ain't right inside. I think your mechanic has the right idea with throwing a used one at it, assuming you can find one.

After reviewing several transfer cases, I realized that the one I was considering didn't match my vehicle. I'm glad I didn't go through with the purchase. I reached out to the wrecker who supplied my transfer case motor, and he was able to find my exact transfer case. He used my VIN and instructed me to look for a smaller metal plate located below the larger plate next to my brake booster. We matched the number associated with the part for my Auto Transfer I cant remember exactly what it said but all the numbers matched with mine.

 

He confirmed that the transfer case was from a 2001 R50 Pathfinder with a 4WD dial. I was able to purchase it for $1,010 plus shipping. My mechanic quoted me about $300 to $400 for labor to take the old transfer out and put the other one in, bringing the total to around $1,410. This is a great deal compared to the $8,000 to $9,000 I was quoted for rebuilding my original transfer case. Hopefully, after installing this new transfer case, all of my issues will finally be resolved. It can't be much else, so fingers crossed that everything works properly again. I'm eager to get back to the dirt tracks and camping, but this time, I'll be sure to avoid any water.

Edited June 24 by pathy200086

[pathy200086]

So for once I actually have something positive to write, I got my self another Transfer Case from  are wreaked 2002 R50 pathfinder my local mechanic got it installed yesterday and my 4WD systems is working the way it's meant to know which means I can start hitting trails again, thanks for the help and information Slartibartfast much appreciated.