4wd shift motor issues
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
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From: Kenner LA
4wd shift motor issues
Well since I have 2 weeks off from work I'd like to try and fix the 4wd in the ex that works intermittently since I bought the truck 6 years ago. Most of the time when I go to switch to 4wd hi or low it doesn't do anything. No lights and nothing locks in. But after moving the switch in and out of 4wd multiple times it will eventually go in and the lights come on etc. I first noticed it a few weeks after I bought the truck on a snow boarding trip in the mountains. Got stuck in the snow and it wouldn't go into 4wd. Checked a few things out and found the connector on the transfer switch motor was full of oil. Cleaned it out and plugged back in and it worked fine and got me out the snow. Every time since that happened I cleaned it out with connector cleaner and it would work fine for a few weeks then act up again. Within the last year that meathod has not worked. So I'm guessing the shift motor is on its way out. Where can I get a good quality replacement if it is the motor beside ford($467)?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
take a small hammer and "lightly" tap on the shift motor. it's been a problem since the early 90's when Ford introduced the system. The motors aren't sealed the best and water causes corrosion in the casing. the corrosion seizes up the internals and prevents normal operations
the hammer agitates the corrosion loose and lets things do their jobs. Shame that you also have the leaking fluid problem.
Luckily the shift motors are very easy to replace. If you buy new they are over $200. I've had great luck at junkyards in the past for solving it on the cheap when I got tired of the hammer fix
the hammer agitates the corrosion loose and lets things do their jobs. Shame that you also have the leaking fluid problem.
Luckily the shift motors are very easy to replace. If you buy new they are over $200. I've had great luck at junkyards in the past for solving it on the cheap when I got tired of the hammer fix
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Kenner LA
Well I use the 4wd fairley often about 3 times a week. Get stuck a lot while pulling the trailer to each job site. I guess I didn't think of the hammer trick. I use to use it on starters all the time. Gonna give it a try.
I'm not one for junk yard parts. If mine was Giving me issues at 64,000 miles than I can't image one from a junk yard is much better.
Do you have to drain the fluid from the transfer case in order to change the shift motor?
I'm not one for junk yard parts. If mine was Giving me issues at 64,000 miles than I can't image one from a junk yard is much better.
Do you have to drain the fluid from the transfer case in order to change the shift motor?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
no, the shift motor is external to the case. should be 3 torx bolts and the 3 wires.
hardest part about changing the motor is doing the pinouts. I've had to pull the pins from the connectors each time I've swapped the motors in the past on other Fords. then insert the new motor pins into the old connector
still an easy job
you still may have another issue besides the corrosion, but I'm betting that's your culprit besides the trans fluid shorting out the connection.
hardest part about changing the motor is doing the pinouts. I've had to pull the pins from the connectors each time I've swapped the motors in the past on other Fords. then insert the new motor pins into the old connector
still an easy job
you still may have another issue besides the corrosion, but I'm betting that's your culprit besides the trans fluid shorting out the connection.
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