I recently (today) swapped in a 233c tcase as per the LiftedAWDAstro's thread. (write up to follow later)
no major hang-ups except for the no speedo and abs/park light on. the trannys gone into safe mode, and I only have 1and 2, shifting to 3 puts it back into first.
I've tried wiring all the vss sensors together, to no avail, also have swapped the vss sensor on the 233 case with 2 other used ones.
what the eff is happening
2003 awd astro
thanks shane
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )
Other than that, I have the same issues regarding idiot lights and 1-2 gear only. Sort of a bummer in the beginning, but not that big of a deal when using lo range during the last 5 1/2 years.
You testing at Vedder Mtn? Places to go around Chiliwack Lake?
Last edited by T.Low on Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
plan to do a trip up vedder when I have the bugs worked out, roasted my brakes on the way down last time I went so I am really looking forward to a low range.
hows does one recalibrate?
I have all the vss sensors wired together at this point, is there one that does the speedo exclusively?
to clarify, I will not be using the electronic part of this 233c tcase. it will be converted to a manual.
kinda stumped still
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )
Shane, the NV136 vss sensor near the top of the output shaft housing is the vss that inputs to the PCM (speedo), the other two are front and rear driveshaft vss and input to transfer case shift module.
The air gap on on the vss to reluctor ring is critical as well. If you're getting abs/brake warning indicators then something with the vss signal/reading/calibration isn't correct.
As for shifting, I thought I read Astro 4L60E wouldn't shift gears with the transfer case is in 4LO and so a terminal on PCM needs grounding when selecting 4LO.
Ok, did some more research, and I printed out the circuit descriptions and diagrams at work to share with you all. I wrote a simple diagram for the switch. There is one for 96-00 and one for 01-05.
Enjoy!
Last edited by Stroverlander on Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
Check out my write up with pics on wiring the PCM for getting all four gears in low range viewtopic.php?f=58&t=7844&start=15 It's not hard to do and sure is nice to not have to stop and put it in high range every time you hit a flat. I used a moment switch at my tc shift lever, but you could tap into the TC indicator switch or put a manual switch on the dash.
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
That's a great thread photo_van, I've re-read it a few times now and you have me reconsidering the 233 for manual shift 242 now. I'm curious to see just what is interchangeable with a later model 242 and my NV136.
Not to hijack this thread too much. In the mountains here, for several months we have mixed snow/ice/pavement after each storm, so I do really like still having AWD. I had read that the 242 is apita to get out of 4wd, let it be known, it's true! It takes a lot of futzing, like putting the trans in neutral, backing up etc, etc. Once you get a system figured out it's not too bad, but still not for those that don't want to have to think about it
Since I had a '98, doing any 4WD tc swap was going to take a bit of work. After reading Lifted's most recent swap of a 233 that bolted right up in an '03 with NO drivetrain or crossmember mods, I think that would be hard to pass up, unless you live in an area where you'll use AWD regularly.
1998 AWD/4WD
4" lift, 31x10.50's, NP 242j/c hybrid, 4.10 gears, S10 front disconnect, rack & pinion steering, trans cooler, rock sliders, ARB fridge, house battery and 100w solar, swing out rear rack with foldout camp table, bed and passenger swivel chair
dirt bag camping rig
1981 Toyota 4x4 pu
1974 John Deere 710
Stroverlander wrote:Shane, the NV136 vss sensor near the top of the output shaft housing is the vss that inputs to the PCM (speedo), the other two are front and rear driveshaft vss and input to transfer case shift module.
.......
The air gap on on the vss to reluctor ring is critical as well. If you're getting abs/brake warning indicators then something with the vss signal/reading/calibration isn't correct.
As for shifting, I thought I read Astro 4L60E wouldn't shift gears with the transfer case is in 4LO and so a terminal on PCM needs grounding when selecting 4LO.
'01-'05 PCM Connector 2 Terminal 16
and its just that easy folks
I had the wrong sensor hooked up, re-splced it, speedo working!!!!!!
now if only I can get rid of the abs light and parking brake light..........
thanks for all your help ill report back later
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
the abs and parking brake lights cleared themselves after 100 feet of driving.
feels nice, smooth, and as I verified at the river, all modes work. though 4low feels faster than I think it should.
now, linkage, hopefully will be able to copy liftedawd's style, while using salvaged parts.
tires bark around corners now, I forgot how fun it is to drive 2wd through mud around a corner lol!!!!
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )
haven't got the shifter hooked up yet, so I guess I have it set up with a 9/16's wrench!!! downside is I have to crawl underneath to switch, luckily the loose river rock holds the van still nicely in neutral.
I hope to copy lifted's style, but after seeing how photo-van did his I might create a hybrid of a jeep/s10 shifter.
t.low let me know when you're coming up, prospera center where the chiefs play is only 2 stop signs and a right hand turn away from my house. igo to a few games a year, I usually hang out near the beer gardens lol.
as soon as peg-leg is open, I plan on taking my son down to camp for a night.
I think the wife is gonna miss full time awd though....
now to save for new catalytic converters, the smell going up hills is over bearing now..
2003 Chevrolet Astro 4wd np233c transfercase 245/75/16 ETS Trailermaster tires
Previous:
1995 Safari AWD (death by torsion bar. a.k.a. "the final straw")
1999 Safari AWD ( death by tree x2 )
1997 safari rwd cargo ( sold @ 450,000+ km )
