Quote:
Originally Posted by Tardis
If you did not have the N23 recall done,can you get the problem that needs the recall to fix
Just trying to work out my next step for the service 4wd system light.
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Nar not really, the real problem that N23 was supposed to prevent was the transfer case shifting into neutral unexpectedly.
Due to how various logic pathways interact in the FDCM and PCM, it was only really possible to happen when the car is started with a remote starter module (which wasn't an option in Aus.).
I haven't had the N23 and was concerned that it may shift into neutral at a bad time, like climbing offroad. But I haven't seen any reports of it happening to anyone (even when stationary.), and from studying the logic documented in the service manual pretty closely it seems very unlikely.
But to make it a bit trickier, the reason that the problem of shifting into neutral (which N23 tried to prevent.) could exist in the first place, is that the position sensor in the transfer case actuator (which shifts between high, neutral and low.) gives a varying signal (just a resistance.) as it ages, corrodes, wears, heats, cools, etc.
Basically the pre-N23 firmware could think that the actuator is in a different position than it really is, and shift incorrectly.
The N23 update protected from shifting incorrectly by (basically) just "narrowing" the range of allowable values from the position sensor and adding an extra check.
If the position is outside of this new allowable range, the error code is raised.
So in some ways, a "fix" could be to replace the transfer case actuator - Which is what most dealers tried to do initially (and many charged for it.).
In fact the actuator is fine in most cases, it's only the integrated position sensor which is technically "bad"... but since the first one went "bad", the new ones will eventually do the same thing (sometimes immediately, since most of them were old stock.).
It's a perfectly acceptable margin of error in my opinion (for the type of component that it is.).
Anyway, this means that you may eventually need a new transfer case actuator anyway (whether you have N23 or not.), but I don't think it's happened to anyone yet.
If I ever have problems, I'll just be opening it up and attempt to recondition the position sensor before replacing the whole actuator.
The most correct fix from Chrysler would've been to issue a redesigned actuator with a serviceable or HALL effect position sensor.
Or even come up with a TSB routine to service the existing "sealed" unit. But they just tried to cheap their way out with a software update.