Town & Country Van AWD V6-230 3.8L VIN L SMFI (1998)
Transfer Case Clutch: Technical Service Bulletins
All Wheel Drive - Power Transfer Unit Failure
NUMBER: 21-05-00
GROUP: Transmission
DATE: July 28, 2000
SUBJECT:
All Wheel Drive Power Transfer Unit Failure
MODELS:
1996 - 2000
(NS)
Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1996 - 2000
(GS)
Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)
2001
(RS)
Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
2001
(RG)
Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)
DISCUSSION:
The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system used on Minivans uses a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) that connects the front drive components to the rear drive
components. The PTU may fail if identical tires are not used on all four wheels. This kind of PTU failure is the result of extreme heat build up caused by
a continuous difference of rotation speeds and torque transfer between the front and rear drive components when different size tires are used on the front
wheels versus the rear wheels.
A difference in tire circumference measurements as small as 0.5 % is enough to cause a PTU failure. PTU failures related to mismatched tires are not
warrantable.
Important points to be remembered and to remind AWD minivan vehicle operators:
^
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles or less to maintain even tread wear.
^
Correct tire air pressure must be maintained.
^
When tire replacement is necessary all 4 tires must be replaced with a matched (same manufacturer, model, and size) set.
POLICY: Information Only
