87 Bronco
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 129
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From: us
87 Bronco
87 4x4 won't engage at of all times I need it to! Of Course Has the push button 4x4 and high range button. I have engaged it up and down the road a few times a year for the 10 years I've owned it to keep things moving around. The light on the dash has always come on and I know the 4wd worked because me and two other people are required to turn the steering wheel...But today when I need it, nothing happens. Any Ideas? where to start. I don't have the book as I loaned it out.
I don't hear the module over in the kick panel making any noise, so which relay in which fuse box should I test first?
I don't hear the module over in the kick panel making any noise, so which relay in which fuse box should I test first?
Last edited by madmacs; Jan 30, 2026 at 04:04 PM. Reason: mis stake
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,533
Likes: 2,661
From: Near Salt Lake City
You have plugged in a new transfer case motor and tried it, right?
Been down the rabbit hole of module diagnosis a few times
Basically futile, a new transfer case motor fixed every one I've ever dealt with
You have a 1987 EVTM and a service manual in front of you?
That is where you start for pinpoint testing of the module
Those limit switches in the transfer case motor (switch plate now available) need to report position back to the module
If that does NOT happen, the module will NOT allow a shift
So, see if a new motor fixes it (what I'd do) or replace the switch plate for a band-aid possible fix forever and laugh scenario
Been down the rabbit hole of module diagnosis a few times
Basically futile, a new transfer case motor fixed every one I've ever dealt with
You have a 1987 EVTM and a service manual in front of you?
That is where you start for pinpoint testing of the module
Those limit switches in the transfer case motor (switch plate now available) need to report position back to the module
If that does NOT happen, the module will NOT allow a shift
So, see if a new motor fixes it (what I'd do) or replace the switch plate for a band-aid possible fix forever and laugh scenario
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,533
Likes: 2,661
From: Near Salt Lake City
Good job for using your 4x4 ALL the time
That's why it still almost works and worked for so long trouble free
Owners manual says to use it at least once a month
Nobody reads those and nobody knows that
Good job
That's why it still almost works and worked for so long trouble free
Owners manual says to use it at least once a month
Nobody reads those and nobody knows that
Good job
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: us
Thanks for the reply, I have tested everything inside the cab and they should work according to the tests. It's 4* outside and my garages are full of things I don't want Snow and Ice in. So I guess I will have to make it this winter without 4 wd or the Snow melts. I rebuilt the Shift motor when I got the truck 10 years ago, as it did not work then because it was full of sand. Cleaned it up and lubed up put it back on and it worked great until this winter, when I lost 4wd. Not hard to do but laying on my back in the snow is not something I am not willing to do. This a 87 XLT 5.0 automatic, because I could not find one with a Stick Shift in it. But Is a two owner 105k mile truck from the deserts of So Cal, that was only used in the summer time, now residing in Western Ky. where I only use it for emergency escapes in the Snow. This is the first year in 30 that I have needed 4wd. I was able to get out on the highway with just rwd thru 10" of icy snow and the Snow drift left by the State at the end of my Drive. I am thinking of putting up a Private Road sign next time so they will not be allowed to do that anymore. Thanks everyone.
Last edited by madmacs; Feb 1, 2026 at 08:26 AM.
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