DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Circuit Description
The transfer case encoder is a switch that converts a shaft position, representing a mode
or range position, into electrical signals for use by the transfer case shift control module.
The encoder houses 4 Hall effect sensors that are used for channels P, A, B, and C. These
sensors provide a path to ground, when a magnet, (part of the shift rail), passes over
them.
The transfer case shift control module supplies an 8V reference and a ground circuit for
the encoder Hall effect sensors to function via CKT431 and 1554 respectfully.
The transfer case shift control module supplies 5V on all the channels, thus as these
channels are pulled to ground, the module can interpret the location of the transfer case
shift position.
This DTC detects an open, short to ground, or a short to voltage (12V) in CKT431, an
open in CKT1554, an open, short to ground, or short to voltage (12V) in the encoder
channel CKTS1555, 1557, 1558, or 1556.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The transfer case shift control module reads back all high or low voltage on the encoder
channel circuits.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

All motor activity will stop and the transfer case lock engaged.
A default rail to rail shift may be allowed, (toggle between 4H and 2H).
The SERVICE indicator (AWD/4WD) lamp will be latched on for the remainder
of the current ignition cycle.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The transfer case shift control module will clear the DTC if the condition for
setting the DTC no longer exists.
A history DTC will clear after 100 consecutive ignition cycles without a fault
present.
History DTCs can be cleared using a scan tool.

Test Description
The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.

2. This test will help to isolate whether or not the fault exits in the transfer case
motor encoder.

3. This test will determine if the suspect encoder circuit is shorted to ground.

6. This test will help determine if one or more encoder channels are shorted together.

8. This test will determine if the suspect encoder circuit is open.

14. This test determines if CKT431 is shorted to power.

DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Step
Action
Value(s)
Yes
Was the Transfer Case Diagnostic System
1 Check performed?

Go to Step2

No
Go to Transfer
Case
Diagnostic

Step

DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Action
Value(s)
Yes
1. Connect a Scan Tool and select the
transfer case data list.
2. Disconnect the Encoder pigtail
connector.
3. Turn ignition to RUN.
4. Observe the states of the Encoder
CircuitP, A, B andC.

Do all circuits displayOFF?

1. Identify which Encoder Circuit stays
ON.
2. Disconnect both transfer case shift
control module connectors.
3. Use a J 39200 Digital Multimeter
3
DMM to measure the resistance in
the suspect circuit to ground.

Is the resistance reading less than the

specified value?
Repair short to ground in the suspect circuit.
Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Use a J 39200 DMM to measure voltage
between transfer case encoder harness
5 connectorC1 terminalE andA.
Is the voltage within the specified values?
1. Use the Scan Tool to monitor the
states of the Encoder CircuitP, A, B
andC.
2. Individually jumper the transfer case
encoder harness connectorC1
6
terminalsF, B, D andC (one terminal
at a time) to terminalA.
Does more than one Encoder Circuit
displayON simultaneously?
Do all the circuits displayON when their
7
individual circuit is jumped to terminalA?
8
1. Identify which Encoder Circuit stays

No
System Check

Go to Step5

Go to Step3

Go to Step4

Go to Step21

OL

Go to Step22

79V
Go to Step6

Go to Step13

Go to Step10

Go to Step7

Go to Step11
Go to Step21

Go to Step8
Go to Step9

02

Step

DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Action
Value(s)
Yes

No

OFF.
2. Disconnect both transfer case shift
control module connectors.
3. Use a J 39200 DMM to measure the
resistance across the suspect circuit.

Is the resistance reading across the suspect

circuit within the specified values?
Repair open in the suspect circuit. Refer to
Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Repair a shorted condition between the
circuits that were simultaneously turn ON in
Step6. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring
10
Systems.
Are the repairs complete?
Use a J 39200 DMM to measure voltage
between transfer case encoder harness
connectorC1 terminalsF, B, D andC to
11
terminalA.

12

Is the voltage within the specified values?

Replace transfer case encoder. Refer to
Motor/Encoder Replacement.

Is the action complete?

Was the voltage reading previously
13
measured in Step5 greater than 9volts?
1. Disconnect both transfer case shift
control module connectors.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN.
3. Use a J 39200 DMM to measure
voltage from transfer case encoder
14
harness connectorC1 terminalE to
ground.
Is the voltage reading within the specified
values?
Use a J 39200 DMM to measure resistance
15
from transfer case encoder harness

Go to Step22

Go to Step22

4.8
5.1V
Go to Step12 Go to Step21

Go to Step22

Go to Step14 Go to Step15

00.5V

Go to Step21 Go to Step17
02

Go to Step16 Go to Step18

DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Step
Action
Value(s)
Yes
connectorC1 terminalA to ground.
Is the resistance reading within the specified
values?
1. Disconnect both transfer case shift
control module connectors.
2. Use a J 39200 DMM to measure
resistance from transfer case shift
control module harness connectorC1
terminalF13 to the transfer case
16
encoder harness connectorC1
terminalE.

17

Is the resistance reading within the specified

values?
Repair short to power in CKT431. Refer to
Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Are the repairs complete?

1. Disconnect both transfer case shift
control module connectors.
2. Use a J 39200 DMM to measure
resistance from transfer case shift
control module connectorC1
18
terminalF12 to encoder motor
harness connectorC2 terminalA..

19

20

Is the resistance reading within the specified

values?
Repair open in CKT1554. Refer to Wiring
Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Are the repairs complete?
Repair open in CKT431. Refer to Wiring
Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Are the repairs complete?

Replace the transfer case shift control
module. Refer to Transfer Case Shift Control
21 Module Replacement.
Is the action complete?

No

02

Go to Step22 Go to Step20

Go to Step22

02

Go to Step21 Go to Step19

Go to Step22

Go to Step22

Go to Step22

Step

22

DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction

Action
Value(s)
Yes
1. Ensure the ignition is OFF.
2. Properly mount and reconnect all
previously disconnected ATC
components.

Have all the ATC components been

reconnected and properly mounted?
Clear all ATC DTCs.

23

Have all the ATC DTCs been cleared?

Go to Step23
Go to Transfer
Case
Diagnostic
System Check

No