Hey guys, I posted this over in what is probably the wrong forum as nobody's said anything so I'm trying here, any help is appreciated.

I have an 03 Explorer Limited 4.6L v8.

When I start the truck both the 4high and 4low lights come on and then go off (passes check). It doesn't flash.

Usually when I press the 4x4 High button nothing happens, and I have discovered that if I turn the ignition on and push the 4High button while I'm starting it, the 4high indicator on the cluster comes on and stays on. HOWEVER, I'm not entirely convinced that it's actually engaging the front tires as when I'm driving and it's slick my back end starts kicking out.

It won't go into 4low at all.

One day a week or so ago I was having some fun in the snow and noticed that the traction control had kicked it into 4high. However, again, I'm not entirely convinced it's ACTUALLY there. I'm about ready to jack up the back end and see if I can drive off the jack :P

I've spent hours researching this and it looks like there are 2 probable culprits, either the GEM behind the glove box or the motor on the transfer case.

Interestingly (read: annoyingly) I had the truck up on blocks last weekend as I'd developed a hairline crack at the drainplug for the forward t-case after changing the fluids. Also, the head shield had been broken off. I think the previous owner had schmucked a stump or something, which would explain the crack in the transfer case and the broken heat shield and is why I'm leaning towards the motor, as it's right on the case so if it'd been jarred it may have made it.. fickle.

I'm gonna climb under it again some time soon, problem is it's -10 and snowy here and will be for some time so I have to take it out of town to my mom's farm to work in the heated shop. Until then, anyone with some expertise on this able to give me some pointers? Obviously I'll inspect the wiring harness and so on.

My not-very-experienced opinion is that because the cluster indicators do power up and then go off as they should during normal startup test, and because they don't flash, that it's probably not the control module. And, because there is some evidence that something not awesome happened in the region of the t-case, it's probably the shift motor. AMIRITE??

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.