97 Pathfinder Transfer case stuck in neutral not engaging 4low

[A1218]

Had a big snowstorm today, the truck engages and disengages from 4HI normally and operates properly.

However it doesn't go into 4low. I put the transmission in neutral and pull the trans shifter into 4Hi and then down into Neutral and you get a grinding noise. So I turn off the vehicle and engage it into 4low then restart it and put into drive. However, I get no movement whatsoever, its just revving. So it seems to be stuck into neutral and not engaging 4 low despite being in that position on the lever.

So I turn off the vehicle and put back into 4High or 2H and when restarting the O/D flashes about 16 times. That only happens when trying to use the 4 low.

What does the flashing O/D light mean and what seems to be the issue with the 4 low? And the grinding? ive heard several people get that before.

I dont off-road and the 4 low has been used maybe 3 times or less. The 4high I use a couple times every winter and it works flawlessly.

[AZhitman]

Have you put a scanner on it yet? That should be Job One.

From the FSM: Overdrive off indicator light (Automatic transmission models only)

This light comes on during driving when the overdrive switch is pressed to prevent overdrive operation.

The O/D OFF indicator light comes on for two seconds each time the ignition key is turned ON. This shows the light is functioning properly.

If the O/D OFF indicator light blinks for approximately 8 seconds after coming on for 2 seconds, have your NISSAN dealer check the transmission and repair it if necessary.

The automatic transmission is equipped with an electronic Fail-Safe mode. This system allows the vehicle to be driven even in the event of damage to the electrical circuits. If this occurs, the gears automatically engage and lock into 3rd gear.

FAIL-SAFE
NAAT0004S01
The TCM has an electronic Fail-Safe (limp home mode). This allows the vehicle to be driven even if a major electrical input/output device circuit is damaged.

Under Fail-Safe, the vehicle always runs in third gear, even with a shift lever position of “1”, “2” or “D”. The customer may complain of sluggish or poor acceleration.

When the ignition key is turned “ON” following Fail-Safe operation, O/D OFF indicator lamp blinks for about 8 seconds.

[A1218]

I got the vehicle into 4 low, I wasn't pulling it far enough backwards so I was essentially just putting the transfer case in neutral, which would explain the revving. Everything is working fine, 2H, 4H, and 4L.

I dont believe the transmission went into fail safe mode as it goes through all gears fine at its correct shift points with no slipping or jerking or anything that would make you think theres a transmission issue, even after I got that blink. The light does come on every time the ignition is turned on like you said to indicate the light works then it comes off. And it does come on and off when pressing the o/d button, so everything is fine with that.

What I believe was causing the light to come on yesterday when I restarted was due to the fact that I previously had the transfer case in neutral while the transmission was in drive as I thought I was in 4 low but really was not. So I turned off the vehicle and put the case back into 2H and when I restarted thats when the o/d light blinked about 16 times then came off. Again that only happened after I had put the case in neutral and the transmission in D and was trying to drive.

That possibly caused the TCM to think theres an error or to indicated the t-case is in neutral when starting? Just a wild guess based on the circumstances

Other than that no o/d light blinking, not during normal driving in 2H, nor 4H or 4L driving or starting the engine in any of these modes.

But out of curiosity and to make sure everything is really fine, I'll run the manual diagnostic to see if theres any codes based off the blinking pattern.

[AZhitman]

Excellent work! Glad it's not a bigger issue.

Welcome aboard.

[A1218]

Yep, ran the the diagnostics. No codes.

Got 10 equal flashes from the o/d light in diagnostic mode indicating no transmission codes.