Hi folks. Been lurking here for a while, thought I would join. Great forum.

I'd like to purchase a repo'd 97 D1 V8i SD, but I have a couple of qs:

The repo guy pulled the D1 150 miles back into town in neutral....did he hurt the transfer case/center diff?

When I attempt to start the car, it turns over, but it will flash the security light after a few seconds. Is this is a security system to ECU comm thing, or do I have other problems?

I'm pretty mechanical, but I'd rather not have to replace a transmission or ECU at this point in the game, lol.

Thanks for your time!

S.

 

Depending on how it was towed will depend on whether or not the t-case is toast.

You can try to re-set the alarm by using the key in the drivers door and locking/unlocking the truck 3 times in a row.

 

Thank you, kind sir.

The repo guy said he towed it in neutral on its wheels, behind a car. Would the gear oil show signs of abuse...how would I know? Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

 

No the gear lube will not tell you anything.
If he towed it with the transmission in neutral but on all fours no harm done IF the engine was running, if not he burnt up the transmission because on all automatic transmissions the engine running is what runs the transmission fluid pump and pumps the fluid through the trans as well as the trans cooler.
Pull a auto trans car with the drive wheels on the ground with the engine off and you overheat the trans and burn it up 90% of the time guaranteed.
Short trip like that, under 10 miles no problem, longer, problem.

If he towed it on all fours with the t-case in neutral then all is fine because putting the t-case in neutral takes the transmission out of the equation, you could even have the trans in park and still tow it this way although I would recommend the trans still be in neutral.

If you cannot verify that he towed it with the trans out of the equation or with the engine running I would keep looking.

 

Thanks, Spike.

I don't have access to the vehicle today, but would it be safe to assume there is a "N" or "Neutral" position on the transfer case gear selector?

I bet he didn't take the TC out of gear. Bummer.

S.

 

Yea the transfercase has a neutral position.