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4WD Not Engaging

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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 02:13 PM
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4WD Not Engaging

Hello. I drive a 93 4WD 2Door Explorer Sport. My little Exploder has been very good to me. However, the other day it made a noise in the right front (it sounded like the automatic hub was trying to engage). I pushed the button to fully engage the 4WD. The light on the controll blinked a few times and then went out. The 4WD would not engage. I stopped the vehicle and reversed ~10ft to disengage the hub and tried to re-activate the 4WD. Nothing happened, no light just the clicking sound you here as the electronics start to do their thing. Does anyone have any ideas? Note: I have changed both of the automatic locking hubs in the last year.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 03:36 PM
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What were the road conditions like? It should say in the book not to use it on dry or wet pavement as it could damage the transmission. I only use it when it is snowing heavy. Also, how many miles do you have, and have you had your automatic transmission fluid changed recently?
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 04:11 PM
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I only use the 4WD when conditions require it; however, in this case the road was dry. I tried to fully engage the 4WD becasue the right side hub seemed to engage all on its own. I'm sure you know the sound and feel when the hubs engage. I don't know if that was the right thing to do or not. I have approx 220,000km (I think that converts to approx 160,00mi). The automatic transmission fluid was flushed a couple of months ago.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 05:39 PM
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Sounds like the autohub has failed......
 
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 10:54 AM
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Is it reasonable for a hub that was replaced within a year to fail that quickly? My previous set of hubs lasted for 9 years.
 
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 11:50 AM
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No that would not be reasonable. All ford parts installed at ford will have 12 mos. 12k mile warranty...
 
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Old Nov 28, 2003 | 03:07 PM
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Is it possible there is something wrong with the electronics? Can you make a suggestion where I should get my mechanic to start?
 
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Old Nov 29, 2003 | 02:51 PM
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if the 4wd light is blinking that my guess would be that there is something wrong with the transfer case electric motor
Originally posted by ExploderChick
Is it possible there is something wrong with the electronics? Can you make a suggestion where I should get my mechanic to start?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2003 | 12:35 PM
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Here is the latest update....My mechanic has deconstructed the whole 4wd mechanism and couldn't find anything wrong. He has followed the self test procedure for the 4wd module and all indications are that there is nothing wrong with it. The motor on the transfer case appears to be okay. The problem seems to be that the signal from the module isn't getting to the motor. Note: The hubs are fine, the panel on the dash works and the light bulbs are not burnt out. Are there any further suggestions????
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 07:40 PM
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I have a 92 4 door 4.0 automatic and have had the same problem I went through the whole haynes repair manual and could not find the problem I get no light and no engage but my voltage gauge moves a bit and I have had a mechanic check all the wiring but he found nothing. Is you explorer sport a manual?
 
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Old Dec 3, 2003 | 05:54 AM
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Originally posted by ExploderChick
Here is the latest update.... The problem seems to be that the signal from the module isn't getting to the motor.
check 2 things=the switch on dash and the connector at transfer case motor:these are notorious for the green grunge corrosion...
 
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 09:34 AM
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AngrySnowball --> My Explorer Sport is an automatic.

emtabmm --> Thanks for the suggestion. I will pass it on.

I will keep you posted.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2003 | 09:02 PM
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Hello all. I just got my truck back from the Ford Dealership. The motor that engages the 4WD transfer case had seized and had to be replaced. It seems as though there are no procedures available to 'non-dealership' mechanics to fully test this motor. My 4WD now engages perfectly.

AngrySnowball, see if you can get the motor checked. It is not the cheapest thing to replace but if you need the 4WD.....
 
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