4x4 not engaging?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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4x4 not engaging?
Hello All, I have a 91' Explorer XLT that has push button 4WD, I am aware of the standard issue's with the motor assembly (and have to repair that on a 94' Exp Limited that I have aswell) however the issue that I am having with the 91' is that I push the button for 4H, the light comes on, and it tries to engage, grind's abit, then stops grinding, and you would think it was in 4H. However with recent snow storm's up here in NH I have gotten stuck at the bottom of my driveway a few times. With only some fancy pedal work and sand to get me out. Had a buddy tell me if my front wheel's were rotating like they should have been, and he say's they are not.
Some background info, I bought the truck last year and 4x4 seemed to work then (though now I am not positive) during a move, somehow the truck was put into 4L (either by G/F or Friend) and I do not know if it was put there properlly ie. stopped in nuetral. after much cussing pushing of button combo, pulling the fuse ect. it still would not shut off the lights for 4L, after almost a full day "stuck" in 4L, I tried pushing the button one last time after I had finished loading the truck with belonging's, and it finally came out.
My question is could that have broken the "locking mechanism" in the automatic hubs, and if so what should I try replacing first?
Some background info, I bought the truck last year and 4x4 seemed to work then (though now I am not positive) during a move, somehow the truck was put into 4L (either by G/F or Friend) and I do not know if it was put there properlly ie. stopped in nuetral. after much cussing pushing of button combo, pulling the fuse ect. it still would not shut off the lights for 4L, after almost a full day "stuck" in 4L, I tried pushing the button one last time after I had finished loading the truck with belonging's, and it finally came out.
My question is could that have broken the "locking mechanism" in the automatic hubs, and if so what should I try replacing first?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Solano County
Is it a vaccum operated hub assembly? you could have bad hoses running to it. Other wise see if the front axle shafts are evening turning when you are in 4h. Use a friend o figure that out. If they are then there is something wrong in the hubs. Could have worn out springs that don't engage the hub to the axle.
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just a quick update, the 4x4 on the 94 is once again operational and working fine, took off the acuator motor, opened it up (after using a dremel to cut off the rusted out propietary torx bolt's because I busted 
my only 20T bit in one fo them) cleaned and repositioned the contacts, drilled out the bolts left after cutting the heads off, "tapped" the mounts, put the cover back on, screwed it down tight (with sloted screwes this time) put it back on the transfer case, reconected all wiring harness's. Dropped it off the stands, disconnected battery for a minute (to reset the computer) reconnected and went out for a "test drive" all is working beautifully 
Now on the 91' I have narrowed it down to either something mechanical in the actualtor motor, or in the transfer case. I get the indicator light and the tell tale click for 4H, however just a flashing indicator for 4L, so I know the actuator is recieving a signal, just can't do anything with it for one reason or another. Tomorrow I will remove it and find out wich of the 3 possibilities it is. A: something stoping actuator for turning shaft to engage transfer case into gear, B: Transfer Case gearing is shot (anyone know a good shop in southern NH that would rebuild it cheap if it is that??? LOL) or C: the Transfer case is somewhere "between" 2H, 4H, or 4L.
my only 20T bit in one fo them) cleaned and repositioned the contacts, drilled out the bolts left after cutting the heads off, "tapped" the mounts, put the cover back on, screwed it down tight (with sloted screwes this time) put it back on the transfer case, reconected all wiring harness's. Dropped it off the stands, disconnected battery for a minute (to reset the computer) reconnected and went out for a "test drive" all is working beautifully Now on the 91' I have narrowed it down to either something mechanical in the actualtor motor, or in the transfer case. I get the indicator light and the tell tale click for 4H, however just a flashing indicator for 4L, so I know the actuator is recieving a signal, just can't do anything with it for one reason or another. Tomorrow I will remove it and find out wich of the 3 possibilities it is. A: something stoping actuator for turning shaft to engage transfer case into gear, B: Transfer Case gearing is shot (anyone know a good shop in southern NH that would rebuild it cheap if it is that??? LOL) or C: the Transfer case is somewhere "between" 2H, 4H, or 4L.
