Notices
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

4WD Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
Trelease's Avatar
Trelease
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Unhappy 4WD Problem

Ok, this might be long, but bare with me because I am trying to cover my entire situation so I can get the most direct feed back!

Car Info;
2004 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L SOHC 8CYL 4x4
4x4 Modes; 2H, A4WD, 4H, 4L

I purchased from a private party the first week of Feb, Mileage @ 104,000

ok here goes...

when I bought the car the 4WD system was working perfectly, all selections were working as designed, no issues. THEN...my wife had left the radio on after she got out one night( its an after market radio and the person I bought it from had wired it himself, apparently wiring it either to an "always hot" wire or by passing the ACC wire or both, not really sure there) anyways...so she left the radio on which had killed the battery, no problem, so I went to jump it and had an old sh--ty pair of cables that eventually completely broke from the gator clamps which then rendered them USLESS. So I had to think of another way to get the truck started WITHOUT cables. I then thought to just put the battery from my car into the truck just to start it and leave it running while I switched the old battery back in to get the alternator to charge it back up, simple enough, should be back on the road in no time right?! wrong! I happen to be on the phone while putting in the car battery and didn't notice I was putting the battery in backwards, uh-oh! Still not aware of what I did, I connected the battery cables and immediately the connection gave a huge spark, but by the time I was able to process this, both connections where already on the battery and the fusible link started frying and smoking like crazy. So I backed away instinctively thinking that the battery might explode and waited a few minutes (approx. 2-5 min), then I pulled the pos connection off the battery and let it sit before I assessed the damage. So when it was all said and done I had destroyed the alternator wiring harness and burnt out the alternator (not sure if it was just on its way out anyways, looked a little rough to begin with). So I order a new alternator, bran new not used or reman., and a new wiring harness. The order comes in and I do a quick swap and the truck is back up and running again. Everything seems fine until I go to turn on the 4WD system and nothing happens. The first thing I checked was the fuses in the fuse box located in the kick panel. I checked every single fuse and found three fuses blown, they are as follows;

Fuse Location 4 - DVD player, Rear seat audio controls, CDDJ
Fuse Location 20 - 4x4 Module
Fuse Location 24 - All interior lights, Battery saver relay coil, battery saver relay power

So...I changed all the fuses and went back to the drivers seat and started the truck and the 4WD system still did nothing. So again, I checked all the fuses and everything was fine!.....huh!?...starting to get confused at this point. I took my volt meter and tested Fuse #20 micro fuse on both sides and I am getting normal voltage.

So here is the current issue;

When turning the 4WD control switch to any of the options I get nothing, not lights on the instrument panel for 4H or 4L, no sounds of it engaging, its like the system is completely dead.

If someone could help me diagnose the problem it would be GREAT!! I am very mechanically inclined (please excuse the battery situation, I know only a retard would do that, but don't get a bad impression because of that one, I admit my horrible mistake )

THANKS!!
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:25 PM
  #2  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
What about fuse #115 (30-amp) which powers the 4WD shift motor and front clutch, is that one good or bad?
Check fuse #11 also.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:36 PM
  #3  
Trelease's Avatar
Trelease
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Yea, I was told to check fuse 11, fuse 20, and fuse 115, non of them are blown, how ever I haven't checked them all with the voltmeter, I only checked fuse 11, I will check them when I get home from work and post the findings
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:48 PM
  #4  
Trelease's Avatar
Trelease
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
problem fixed!

It was a fuse, fuse number 20, even though it looked ok it was blown, tested both sides with voltmeter and only one side was getting voltage, switched it out and BAM! 4WD was working again! Thank God it was a simple problem and not something more complex and expensive. Thank you for your reply and interest alloro!!
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:44 PM
  #5  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Trelease
Thank you for your reply and interest alloro!!
No problem, that why we're here!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Flashjr
1997 - 2003 F150
3
Feb 19, 2020 03:09 PM
topher89
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Jul 14, 2015 09:42 AM
tdpower
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Jan 28, 2012 01:32 PM
BK50
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
19
Oct 1, 2007 10:15 AM
bigworm
Electrical Systems/Wiring
6
Aug 20, 2006 06:47 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:34 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE