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View Full Version : how does my transfer case work?


spongebob
07-26-2013, 15:37
i have 218,000 miles on my truck, i just changed the fluid in the thing, the fluid that came out was as blue as the sky.....i was expecting black....

mine is manually operated...when does it spin and do its job?

i used dextron 6...2 quarts!
DmaxMaverick
07-26-2013, 15:52
Someone, previously, serviced with the wrong fluid. It sounds like what you drained was "Autotrac II" fluid (which is blue, so they don't get confused....), which is for 1/2 ton and (light, 8600 GVW) 3/4 ton truck/suv/van vehicles with "Autotrac", or "Auto 4x4". Autotrac is an electronic system, not available on any of the HD vehicles. Dexron III or VI is the correct fluid for your TC, and any 2001+ 2500HD or 3500/HD.
spongebob
07-26-2013, 16:56
Someone, previously, serviced with the wrong fluid. It sounds like what you drained was "Autotrac II" fluid (which is blue, so they don't get confused....), which is for 1/2 ton and (light, 8600 GVW) 3/4 ton truck/suv/van vehicles with "Autotrac", or "Auto 4x4". Autotrac is an electronic system, not available on any of the HD vehicles. Dexron III or VI is the correct fluid for your TC, and any 2001+ 2500HD or 3500/HD.

i bought my truck new...never did anything to the transfer case.
DmaxMaverick
07-26-2013, 17:53
Someone did. The dealer gets the fluid wrong as often (perhaps more) as anyone. It could have been done during a routine service, or Pre-Delivery. They often arrive at the dealer low on fluids, and the dealer will (or should) perform a Pre-Delivery Service before you drive it away.
spongebob
07-26-2013, 20:34
Someone did. The dealer gets the fluid wrong as often (perhaps more) as anyone. It could have been done during a routine service, or Pre-Delivery. They often arrive at the dealer low on fluids, and the dealer will (or should) perform a Pre-Delivery Service before you drive it away.

anyway..parts guy sold me 6 quarts it took only 2..am i cool?
DmaxMaverick
07-26-2013, 21:13
Two quarts is right, so you're cool. I'm not sure why he would sell you 6 qts. That's not enough for a tranny service (even if he got that wrong). Long ago, I quit wondering why dealers do what they do.
spongebob
07-26-2013, 22:11
it was a napa store....
AKMark
07-30-2013, 14:19
I've seen Tranny fluid get dark in a T-case, especially after it's old and been through a few too many heat cycles, and or worked hard