2004 Ranger 4x4 Issues
#1
03-21-2013, 12:20 AM
2004 Ranger 4x4 Issues
Hey guys I was referred to this site by an auto mechanic for ideas.
My 2004 Ford Ranger has 220,000 miles, runs great, and when I bought it this summer the 4 wheel drive worked great. Starting when the weather got cold when I engage the 4 wheel drive (no lockouts electronic engagement) I will drive and it will kick in and out of 4 wheel drive when it starts to slip or I have to accelerate. When the 4 wheel drive kicks out I will let off the gas then it will engage again on its own, but will slip out again when on ice or I start to slip. When the 4 wheel drive engages it does NOT make any strange sounds, no clunking or nothing, it engages smoothly, and disengages properly.
Any idea of what it could be? a connection? Or has anyone had this issue before? Any way to fix or diagnose the problem? I have been told that it probably is not the transfer case, because if it were it would not engage or stay in 4 wheel drive at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
My 2004 Ford Ranger has 220,000 miles, runs great, and when I bought it this summer the 4 wheel drive worked great. Starting when the weather got cold when I engage the 4 wheel drive (no lockouts electronic engagement) I will drive and it will kick in and out of 4 wheel drive when it starts to slip or I have to accelerate. When the 4 wheel drive kicks out I will let off the gas then it will engage again on its own, but will slip out again when on ice or I start to slip. When the 4 wheel drive engages it does NOT make any strange sounds, no clunking or nothing, it engages smoothly, and disengages properly.
Any idea of what it could be? a connection? Or has anyone had this issue before? Any way to fix or diagnose the problem? I have been told that it probably is not the transfer case, because if it were it would not engage or stay in 4 wheel drive at all. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
#4
03-21-2013, 07:28 PM
Posting Guru
#5
03-22-2013, 09:04 AM
Mechanically the transfer case may be operational, but you could still be looking at problem with the TC electronics.
What do the 4x4 lights on the dash do when you: (1) start the vehicle, and (2) try to use 4WD?
First thing to do is to open up your owners manual and find out which fuses are related to the 4x4 system, and check them.
Also, the TC uses something called a "gearmotor encoder assembly" to effectuate shifts between 4WD and 2WD. The gearmotor assembly is in turn controlled by a seperate control module. This could also be where your problem lies.
Here is some information to help you understand how your Ranger 4WD works:
What do the 4x4 lights on the dash do when you: (1) start the vehicle, and (2) try to use 4WD?
First thing to do is to open up your owners manual and find out which fuses are related to the 4x4 system, and check them.
Also, the TC uses something called a "gearmotor encoder assembly" to effectuate shifts between 4WD and 2WD. The gearmotor assembly is in turn controlled by a seperate control module. This could also be where your problem lies.
Here is some information to help you understand how your Ranger 4WD works:
Principles of Operation
Transfer Case — Electronic Shift
The four-wheel drive electronic shift-on-the-fly feature electrically shifts the vehicle transfer case between 2WD, 4WD HIGH, and 4WD LOW. The system mode is selected by the operator through the mode select switch (MSS) on the instrument panel. The operator is informed which mode the system is in by two instrument cluster indicators: one for 4WD HIGH which appears as 4WD, and one for 4WD LOW, which appears as 4WD LOW.
Shifts into 4WD HIGH can be made at any speed. When shifting into 4WD HIGH with the vehicle stationary, tooth blockage may occur preventing shift completion. When the vehicle is driven above 8 km/h (5 mph) the shift will complete.
When shifting in or out of 4WD LOW, the four-wheel drive (4WD) control module requires that the vehicle speed be less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the brake pedal be applied, and the transmission be in NEUTRAL (automatic transmission) or the clutch pedal be depressed (manual transmission).
The gearmotor encoder assembly is mounted externally on the transfer case. It drives a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and range fork within the transfer case between the 4WD HIGH, 4WD LOW, and 2WD range positions. The four-wheel drive (4WD) control module controls the gearmotor encoder assembly that shifts between 4WD HIGH, 4WD LOW, and 2WD modes.
System Function
Feature inputs:
-brake ON/OFF switch
-mode select switch (MSS)
-digital transmission range (TR) sensor
-vehicle speed signal transmitted from the powertrain control module (PCM)
-contact plate position inputs A, B, C, D
Feature outputs:
-4WD LOW indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
-4WD indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
-4WD shift motor outputs
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD HIGH can be made at any speed. Listed below are the inputs and outputs needed by the 4WD control module to execute a change between any of these modes.
Feature inputs:
-vehicle speed signal
-mode select switch
Feature outputs:
-4WD cluster indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
When shifting into or out of LOW range, the 4WD control module requires that the vehicle speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the brake is applied, and the transmission is in NEUTRAL.
Feature inputs:
-mode select switch
-contact plate position inputs A, B, C, D
-vehicle speed signal
-brake ON/OFF switch input (battery voltage when brake is depressed, open circuit when not activated)
-digital TR sensor (ground when transmission is in NEUTRAL, open circuit otherwise)
Feature outputs:
-4WD shift motor outputs
-4WD LOW cluster indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
Transfer Case — Electronic Shift
The four-wheel drive electronic shift-on-the-fly feature electrically shifts the vehicle transfer case between 2WD, 4WD HIGH, and 4WD LOW. The system mode is selected by the operator through the mode select switch (MSS) on the instrument panel. The operator is informed which mode the system is in by two instrument cluster indicators: one for 4WD HIGH which appears as 4WD, and one for 4WD LOW, which appears as 4WD LOW.
Shifts into 4WD HIGH can be made at any speed. When shifting into 4WD HIGH with the vehicle stationary, tooth blockage may occur preventing shift completion. When the vehicle is driven above 8 km/h (5 mph) the shift will complete.
When shifting in or out of 4WD LOW, the four-wheel drive (4WD) control module requires that the vehicle speed be less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the brake pedal be applied, and the transmission be in NEUTRAL (automatic transmission) or the clutch pedal be depressed (manual transmission).
The gearmotor encoder assembly is mounted externally on the transfer case. It drives a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and range fork within the transfer case between the 4WD HIGH, 4WD LOW, and 2WD range positions. The four-wheel drive (4WD) control module controls the gearmotor encoder assembly that shifts between 4WD HIGH, 4WD LOW, and 2WD modes.
System Function
Feature inputs:
-brake ON/OFF switch
-mode select switch (MSS)
-digital transmission range (TR) sensor
-vehicle speed signal transmitted from the powertrain control module (PCM)
-contact plate position inputs A, B, C, D
Feature outputs:
-4WD LOW indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
-4WD indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
-4WD shift motor outputs
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD HIGH can be made at any speed. Listed below are the inputs and outputs needed by the 4WD control module to execute a change between any of these modes.
Feature inputs:
-vehicle speed signal
-mode select switch
Feature outputs:
-4WD cluster indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
When shifting into or out of LOW range, the 4WD control module requires that the vehicle speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the brake is applied, and the transmission is in NEUTRAL.
Feature inputs:
-mode select switch
-contact plate position inputs A, B, C, D
-vehicle speed signal
-brake ON/OFF switch input (battery voltage when brake is depressed, open circuit when not activated)
-digital TR sensor (ground when transmission is in NEUTRAL, open circuit otherwise)
Feature outputs:
-4WD shift motor outputs
-4WD LOW cluster indicator (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated)
#6
03-22-2013, 03:05 PM
Well according to my owners manual I can engage at any speed, but I only engage it when I'm stopped and place it in neutral. Still I don't understand, it worked fine in summer and fall months, then began doing this in December. I have always owned 4 wheel drive so I have always taken extra percausion when putting my vehicle in and out of 4 wheel drive. I still do not understand how I can at least diagnose this issue. If it were a fuse I would think the 4 wheel drive would not engage at all. So I am convinced its not a fuse
#7
03-22-2013, 03:39 PM
Do you have a flashing OD, or ABS light???? If so, consider having a trusted tranny or brake shop scan the respective systems computer for trouble codes
& post All code Numbers. I'm thinking maybe a wheel speed sensor problem, or a tranny problem & those lit lamps would suggest trouble codes clues may be set in those systems computers.
& post All code Numbers. I'm thinking maybe a wheel speed sensor problem, or a tranny problem & those lit lamps would suggest trouble codes clues may be set in those systems computers.
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#9
03-22-2013, 10:16 PM
I was mistaken, my apologies. I just re-checked my manual and it says:
"Move the 4WD control between 2WD and 4X4 HIGH at a stop or any forward speed up to 55 mph (88 km/h)."
I must have been thinking of my old F150 when I said 35mph...
"Move the 4WD control between 2WD and 4X4 HIGH at a stop or any forward speed up to 55 mph (88 km/h)."
I must have been thinking of my old F150 when I said 35mph...
#10
03-22-2013, 10:29 PM
OK good feedback, no ABS or CEL lit, again how about the blue OD light, does it flash when its acting out????? EDIT: Also does the 4WD light flash when it acts out???
#11
03-23-2013, 12:56 PM
If the dash 4WD indicator lamps show normal operation, then it could be that the 4WD electronics and circuitry are fine. Of course, the only way to 100% rule out electronic 4WD issues is to pull the diagnostic trouble codes using a scan tool capable of communicating with a Ford 4WD module (a basic OBD-II code scanner won't cut it).
If the problem is not electrical, but mechanical, in nature, then my bet is that you're looking at a bad TC motor.
If the problem is not electrical, but mechanical, in nature, then my bet is that you're looking at a bad TC motor.
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