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  #1  
Old 09-29-2018, 07:29 PM
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Lightbulb Car no go, wheels no spin, brain no function

In a nutshell, the X won't move when in gear. I had just completed replacement of a left front air bag and the stingiest damn CV axle shaft assembly I've ever seen. It took a 20 ton press to pop the shaft out of the steering knuckle. After assembly I took it out for a test drive this morning. Initially things felt great, about 300' that is, until I lost drive and got a 'Trans Failsafe Program' warning on the cluster.

I coasted in to a driveway, pulled out my trusty Foxwell scanner and went to work. The code it pulled was 'EGS Speed Signal Output'. My internet search led to very little so I jacked up all 4 corners of the X and went through the gears. The rear shaft works as it should but the front shaft spins freely in everything but park. It does the same sitting on the ground. What I thought was odd is the front tires never moved when I spun the front shaft. Could this be a two part problem, transfer case and front diff, or does the front diff have a lock?

Most transfer case issues I've read about were generally preceded by clunks or grinding. Mine did no such thing. It was there one second, gone the next. Any other ideas? Another odd thing is my Foxwell wouldn't access the TCM. It's called something different in the menu but it's a control module none the less. Any more ideas, or tests before I order parts? Thanks for the help.

And one more thing - A couple of times when I put it back in park I did hear a grinding noise. I'm curious how the front shaft gets parked. It sounded very odd and the first time I've heard such a thing. No bueno.
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Last edited by 1BADM6; 09-29-2018 at 08:32 PM.
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Old 09-29-2018, 08:04 PM
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The front differential is open (does not lock). When you say the front shaft spins freely in all but park, do you mean the CV axels that go to the wheels or the shaft from the TC to the front diff?
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Old 09-29-2018, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by e39_touring View Post
The front differential is open (does not lock). When you say the front shaft spins freely in all but park, do you mean the CV axels that go to the wheels or the shaft from the TC to the front diff?
I meant front drive shaft from TC to diff. It spins freely in all but park and does not turn the front wheels at all.
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Old 09-29-2018, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 1BADM6 View Post
I meant front drive shaft from TC to diff. It spins freely in all but park and does not turn the front wheels at all.
I would say that you have a front CV shaft not engaged properly. In park, the transmission output shaft is locked. If the transfer case is good, it front output shaft will be locked, too. So, I think your TC is fine.

Since your front diff is open, any input will go to the output shaft on the side with least resistance. If a side CV shaft is not engaged in the front diff, the CV shaft won't move but the splines inside the diff will - you just won't be able to see it. I think that's what's happening to you here.
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Old 09-29-2018, 09:10 PM
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What transfer case is it? NV125 - the early run? AT500 should be able to go with a CV out, but the NV125 will not. If a single CV on the NV125 is not fully engaged, the open diffs mean you get no forward motion.

I had this exact problem in my manual 5 speed and thought I lost the xfer case over a heinous speed bump, but I realized the rear CV half shaft was about 1" out of the diff - way too far. I snugged it in gently with a crow bar and I had forward power again.

I believe the electric-motor activated transfer cases in later production models can achieve forward motion if a CV is out, but the NV125 can most certainly not.
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Old 09-29-2018, 10:27 PM
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Sounds like CV axle popped out of the diff. Most other failure would make ugly sounds.

Front drive shaft will turn pretty easy if one of the axles is not plugged Into the dif.


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Old 09-30-2018, 12:36 AM
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Wow that's interesting. I'll have to double check my work. Actually triple check because I made sure the one I replaced was seated before installing the drip pan. It looked like it was snug. Maybe it looked like it was but wasn't quite there. That would be a relief because I'm really scratching my head on this. I gave it a good whack with a dead blow and a long drift but maybe I need to get out the 4lb. enforcer. I'll check in the morning and get back to you all. Thanks for the info.
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Old 09-30-2018, 09:50 PM
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e39 touring you nailed it! The CV axle assembly wasn't engage with the diff. I tried seating it again with no love so I pulled the assembly and compared it with the old one. What I saw made me scratch my head. The shaft, where it mates to the diff, has a steel collar or spacer that the diff seal seats against. The collar on the new(rebuilt) shaft was twice as thick as the previous. I removed the old collar and installed on the new shaft and put everything back together. I cleared the codes and off I went. Zero issues.

My guess is after disassembly these guys stack those collars and grab them when needed for reassembly. Some moron grabbed two and installed them onto this shaft. I'm pretty disappointed because when I was looking for a replacement assembly it made me feel good to support an American company with American workers. The name of the company is Detroit Axle and I will never use their parts again. The CV boots were of poor quality as well. I anticipate another torn boot within I couple of years, if I could be so lucky they last that long. What a bummer but all is well. Now on to the Depo headlights installation. So grateful to you members of this board. Great job diagnosing!
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Old 09-30-2018, 11:58 PM
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I ordered a part for my dad's rendezvous and it came with the hole drilled but not tapped. (Detroit axle). They were very nice about a quick replacement but that was a big oops to get through QA


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Old 10-01-2018, 05:41 AM
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I ordered a part for my dad's rendezvous and it came with the hole drilled but not tapped. (Detroit axle). They were very nice about a quick replacement but that was a big oops to get through QA


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That's just piss poor QC. Fool me once, shame on me...
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