3/30/2009 EDIT- Added Front Axle disconnect info, no Chrysler description for it yet, so I had to modify a 2000 Ram (BR/BE) desription to make things easy.
:modding:
For those of you who didn't realise or know yet, the Magna Steyr MS140 transfer case is gone. The new unit is the Borg Warner 44-40. It is an electronic unit. There is also now a front axle disconnect intergrated with the intermediate shaft that runs through the oil pan.Read about it:
DESCRIPTION
The Borg Warner 44-40 transfer case allows torque to be variably applied to the front axle. By allowing variable application of torque between the front and rear axles, this all-wheel drive system can be used on dry pavement without the typical torsional windup that will occur with a standard four wheel drive transfer case. The drive system of this transfer case consists of an input shaft and drive sprocket/clutch assembly, and an output shaft and driven sprocket. The drive and driven sprockets are connected by a drive chain. The clutch assembly consists of a pulse width modulated electromagnetic actuator and a multi-disc clutch pack, and allows variable application of torque to the front axle based on traction and driving conditions. The input shaft of the transfer case is connected to the rear propeller shaft, which drives the rear axle. The output shaft of the transfer case is connected to the front propeller shaft, which drives the front axle.
OPERATION
The Borg Warner 44-40 is a full time all-wheel drive transfer case with a fixed gear ratio. Depending on traction conditions, the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) will modulate the electromagnetic clutch assembly to vary the amount of torque applied to the front axle. Torque is transmitted through the input shaft to the clutch and drive sprocket assembly, and is transferred directly to the rear propeller shaft, and to the output shaft and front propeller shaft by the drive chain. The oil pump circulates gear lube throughout the case to provide clutch cooling, and the DTCM monitors the temperature of the transfer case with a temperature sensor.
If you have EVIC, it can display wether you're in Rear Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive.
From the 2009 Owners Manual:
This vehicle is equipped with an active on-demand All Wheel Drive (AWD) system which makes available optimum traction for a wide variety of road surface and driving conditions. The system minimizes wheel slip by automatically redirecting torque to the front and rear wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD vehicle automatically defaults to Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) when road and environmental conditions are such that wheel slip is unlikely to occur. When specific road and environmental conditions require increased levels of road traction, the vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic AWD operation could be activated by outside temperature, wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there may be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel slip condition occurs). AWD can also be manually selected by moving the shift lever into Autostick mode (+/-) or activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of time.
Note: If the "t Case" or "Service AWD System" warning message appears after engine start up, or during driving, it means that the AWD system is not functioning properly and that service is required.
Front Axle Disconnect
DESCRIPTION
The front axle disconnect system consists of the following components:
-DTCM
-Front Axle Disconnect Module (Intergral to Transfer/Intermediate shaft)
-Drive Train Control Relay
-Related wiring
OPERATION
The Front Axle Disconnect Module (Solenoid) is controlled by the DTCM. The DTCM grounds the Drive Train Control relay, which provides Run/Start power to the Front Axle Disconnect Module. The DTCM controls the disconnect solenoid by grounding part of the solenoid, to switch from two wheel drive mode to all wheel drive mode, or vice versa. When the solenoid is grounded, the solenoid begins to move the shift fork and collar within the front axle intermediate shaft. In the all wheel drive mode, the shift collar connects the axle intermediate shaft to the axle shaft to supply engine power to both front wheels. In two wheel drive mode, the shift collar is disengaged from the intermediate shaft and the intermediate shaft is allowed to free-spin. When the two shafts are disengaged, the load on the engine is reduced, thereby providing better fuel economy and road handling. A position sensor is intergral to the disconnect module to report disconnect operation to the DTCM. The disconnect module also is constantly grounded.
:modding:
For those of you who didn't realise or know yet, the Magna Steyr MS140 transfer case is gone. The new unit is the Borg Warner 44-40. It is an electronic unit. There is also now a front axle disconnect intergrated with the intermediate shaft that runs through the oil pan.Read about it:
DESCRIPTION
The Borg Warner 44-40 transfer case allows torque to be variably applied to the front axle. By allowing variable application of torque between the front and rear axles, this all-wheel drive system can be used on dry pavement without the typical torsional windup that will occur with a standard four wheel drive transfer case. The drive system of this transfer case consists of an input shaft and drive sprocket/clutch assembly, and an output shaft and driven sprocket. The drive and driven sprockets are connected by a drive chain. The clutch assembly consists of a pulse width modulated electromagnetic actuator and a multi-disc clutch pack, and allows variable application of torque to the front axle based on traction and driving conditions. The input shaft of the transfer case is connected to the rear propeller shaft, which drives the rear axle. The output shaft of the transfer case is connected to the front propeller shaft, which drives the front axle.
OPERATION
The Borg Warner 44-40 is a full time all-wheel drive transfer case with a fixed gear ratio. Depending on traction conditions, the Drive Train Control Module (DTCM) will modulate the electromagnetic clutch assembly to vary the amount of torque applied to the front axle. Torque is transmitted through the input shaft to the clutch and drive sprocket assembly, and is transferred directly to the rear propeller shaft, and to the output shaft and front propeller shaft by the drive chain. The oil pump circulates gear lube throughout the case to provide clutch cooling, and the DTCM monitors the temperature of the transfer case with a temperature sensor.
If you have EVIC, it can display wether you're in Rear Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive.
From the 2009 Owners Manual:
This vehicle is equipped with an active on-demand All Wheel Drive (AWD) system which makes available optimum traction for a wide variety of road surface and driving conditions. The system minimizes wheel slip by automatically redirecting torque to the front and rear wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD vehicle automatically defaults to Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) when road and environmental conditions are such that wheel slip is unlikely to occur. When specific road and environmental conditions require increased levels of road traction, the vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic AWD operation could be activated by outside temperature, wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there may be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel slip condition occurs). AWD can also be manually selected by moving the shift lever into Autostick mode (+/-) or activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of time.
Note: If the "t Case" or "Service AWD System" warning message appears after engine start up, or during driving, it means that the AWD system is not functioning properly and that service is required.
Front Axle Disconnect
DESCRIPTION
The front axle disconnect system consists of the following components:
-DTCM
-Front Axle Disconnect Module (Intergral to Transfer/Intermediate shaft)
-Drive Train Control Relay
-Related wiring
OPERATION
The Front Axle Disconnect Module (Solenoid) is controlled by the DTCM. The DTCM grounds the Drive Train Control relay, which provides Run/Start power to the Front Axle Disconnect Module. The DTCM controls the disconnect solenoid by grounding part of the solenoid, to switch from two wheel drive mode to all wheel drive mode, or vice versa. When the solenoid is grounded, the solenoid begins to move the shift fork and collar within the front axle intermediate shaft. In the all wheel drive mode, the shift collar connects the axle intermediate shaft to the axle shaft to supply engine power to both front wheels. In two wheel drive mode, the shift collar is disengaged from the intermediate shaft and the intermediate shaft is allowed to free-spin. When the two shafts are disengaged, the load on the engine is reduced, thereby providing better fuel economy and road handling. A position sensor is intergral to the disconnect module to report disconnect operation to the DTCM. The disconnect module also is constantly grounded.