AWD not engaging?
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AWD not engaging?
So I recently bought a used 96 aerostar awd as a work rig. Winter has arrived and while driving to work after our first snowfall I was all over the place. When I start the van up I see the 4wd light go on then turn off. Is the 4wd light supposed to come on when awd is engaged? Is there any way to manually engage the 4wd? It's going to be a long dangerous winter if I can't get this thing snow ready. Fuses look good. What gives?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: SoCal
The 4wd comes on briefly when you first turn the key on, and any other time it comes on with the car running indicates some kind of error. There are at least 2 sensors involved, one in the transfer case, and one in the rear axle, and either one could have gone bad. But check the simple things first; make sure your brake light bulbs are working.
The Aerostar has full-time AWD, sending 30% power to the front and 70% to the rear in normal operation. The electronic control unit senses speed difference between the front and rear tires beyond about 5%, and then locks the center differential, making a 50/50 f/r power split. The lock up is intermittent, and only at speeds below about 25 mph to help you get going from a stop. It works a lot better if you also have a limited slip rear end.
The Aerostar has full-time AWD, sending 30% power to the front and 70% to the rear in normal operation. The electronic control unit senses speed difference between the front and rear tires beyond about 5%, and then locks the center differential, making a 50/50 f/r power split. The lock up is intermittent, and only at speeds below about 25 mph to help you get going from a stop. It works a lot better if you also have a limited slip rear end.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Dec 2019
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The 4wd comes on briefly when you first turn the key on, and any other time it comes on with the car running indicates some kind of error. There are at least 2 sensors involved, one in the transfer case, and one in the rear axle, and either one could have gone bad. But check the simple things first; make sure your brake light bulbs are working.
The Aerostar has full-time AWD, sending 30% power to the front and 70% to the rear in normal operation. The electronic control unit senses speed difference between the front and rear tires beyond about 5%, and then locks the center differential, making a 50/50 f/r power split. The lock up is intermittent, and only at speeds below about 25 mph to help you get going from a stop. It works a lot better if you also have a limited slip rear end.
The Aerostar has full-time AWD, sending 30% power to the front and 70% to the rear in normal operation. The electronic control unit senses speed difference between the front and rear tires beyond about 5%, and then locks the center differential, making a 50/50 f/r power split. The lock up is intermittent, and only at speeds below about 25 mph to help you get going from a stop. It works a lot better if you also have a limited slip rear end.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2019
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sounds like a complicated fix.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,017
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From: SoCal
Unfortunately, the Ford Cologne 4L v6 is a real wimp of an engine, so it will feel weak compared to just about any other engine of that size, including the 4.3L engine in the Astro.
I upgraded my wheels to those from a 90's Explorer in a local salvage yard:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Zycm5RNTZTeWZB
It's a 15x7 wheel that has much wider options for tires. I got a set of 215/65/15, and they fit with no problems.
I upgraded my wheels to those from a 90's Explorer in a local salvage yard:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Zycm5RNTZTeWZB
It's a 15x7 wheel that has much wider options for tires. I got a set of 215/65/15, and they fit with no problems.
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nice looking van btw.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,017
Likes: 209
From: SoCal
The Explorer wheels actually have a bigger center bore than the Aerostar's, so I was concerned that they would not center properly with the gap. But the cone shaped lug nuts seem to do a very good job of centering the wheels, as the ride is very smooth.
The wheels do enhance the appearance of the van, even though the paint is fading, which is not obvious from the picture.
The wheels do enhance the appearance of the van, even though the paint is fading, which is not obvious from the picture.
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