My Sport Trac has begun to not disengage when I switch back from 4wd to 2wd. The dash light goes out which to me indicates the shift motor and control module are working - or at least the motor is turning enough to open it's 4wd position switch. Backing up a short distance makes it disengage. Since there is no mechanical change in the front drivetrain from 2wd vs 4wd, it seems like the problem points to the transfer case. Or maybe the shift motor is not fully turning 2wd position? - I replaced the shift motor few years ago. Does backing up momentarily remove the mechanical load allowing it to shift? I bought the truck new and with over 305,000 miles it has seen it's share of 4wd on Indiana winter roads. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to diagnose it?

 

On the F150, it says to put the transmission in neutral to let it shift.. I notice if you roll a foot or so, that can help, so YES I believe I could be in a bind and is normal.

 

Thanks for the response steve(ill) but my truck has "shift on the fly" and can be shifted in and out of 4H with transmission in drive and vehicle moving. Shifting from 2H to 4H while driving works properly. It is only shifting on the fly from 4H to 2H that is no longer working. When I get time, I'm going to put the truck on jack stands and see if it shifts without load. The last time that I was under the truck, I removed the shift motor and observed that it seemed to move positions correctly. Also, I was able to manually shift the transfer case. Without a load, I'm not sure what this is telling me.

I use the truck regularly and I can still get into and out of 4wd so dropping and tearing apart the transfer case without better diagnostics just doesn't seem to make sense. I was hoping someone with experience on this kind of problem could give me troubleshooting advice. I am tempted to purchase a new shift motor just to eliminate it as the problem but I don't have any evidence to support that it is the cause and would be just throwing money at the problem. Although, it is an aftermarket shift motor ...

 

I feel that my 2005 Explorer XLT is having same issues seems to lug and sounds like it is not disengaging. Gas mileage is poor as well have you checked the front hubs to see if they are rusted closed or locked up I will be checking this soon on mine.

 

This type of 4wd does not have locking hubs. There is no difference between 2wd and 4wd in the front drivetrain - it is always connected - just not engaged in the transfer case.

 

OK, I thought you were talking about Lo- Hi shift.......... that being said, it still makes it easier on shifting if the gears are not loaded. Personally I have never " shift on the fly"... some people do....... I have read several posts that say when the truck is 10- 15 years old, it don't work all that well anymore... Yours is probably not " abnormal" for an older truck.