Hello all, I am new to this site and was hoping someone could help me with a problem I'm having with my 1993 explorer. I just bought it last week, mainly for a get to work and back vehicle. It has the push button 4x4 activation feature and was working fine when I bought it (off course) but I went to engage it this morning and nothing....no wierd noises, no sound of the transfer case attempting to engage...nothing. Now I am not to familiar with these SUV's but I am hoping that maybe there is a fuse somwhere that may have blown or the switch just went bad... because like I said before last week it worked just fine. The truck is a 2 door sport if that makes a difference or not with an auto trans and 4.0 engine. mileage is high, but runs great...any help would be most appreciated!

Jason

 

www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/exp.html Read the section on t-case. A common problem for these electronic shift transfer cases.

 

Jason, just take a small hammer and tap (AND I MEAN TAP) don't hit hard on the motor ( the round part), it will more than likely start to work. If it does, just try to engage it once in a while. This makes the motor turn and not stick. The motor sits for long periods of time not being used and the brushes tend to stick not allowing the motor to work. Also there are contacts on the back face of the motor facing the rear and these also may stick and not allow the motor to work.

 

Replace the transfer case shift motor. If your old one does not need replacement now it will very soon. Hubs are likely due also. Buy these after you
rplace the shift motor. The old ones could still have some life.
Here's the best news the job (hubs/shift motor) took two hours total. Better news, I found the cheapest price around. I saved $160.00 on the shift motor alone. and near $175.00 on the hubs.
I did'nt know it, but they also have replacment int door handles. Very helpful
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/4WDrive/Ford/Explorer

 

Just because it sticks doesn't mean replace it. Just engage it once in a while and they usually stay working! That doesn't mean they never go bad, some do. Just seems cheaper to me to engage it once in a while and they seem to keep working. Been my experience.

 

I agree that it may not be bad. Statistically from my observations is that this part is currently a common problem with 91-94 explorers. Personally I'd much rather drop $200.00 now than to drop $200.00 later getting towed off a mountain.
You are right. The hubs should be engaged. I do it every other week or so. Don't do it on pavement though.

 

well thanks for the info...the tapping method worked...well so I thought. Turns out I think I have a hub problem. I did remove the balancer and gave the shift motor a couple of taps with a hammer. I then started the truck and pushed the button...and the light came on and I thought I was all good. even put it into low range and hurd the it drop down. So I took it on a test run in my drive way and noticed that the front tires wern't spinning. But I do hear some kind of rubbing noise, but I'm pretty sure there not engaging. So would the shift motor be responsible for that also, or is it something more in the hubs?

 

Mine did the same thing. Turns out the shift motor was not fully engaging the transfer case. Still had to do the hubs though. My bad hubs were making a noise. It kind of sounded like running a finger over a comb (if that make sense).

 

What i would do before dumping lots of money into the 4x4, is get all four wheels off the ground, and engage the 4x4 have someone sit inside and give it a little gas look under it and verify that the front driveshaft is spinning, but the front wheels are not if thats the case, your hubs are probally bad you can do 1 of 3 things, you could attempt to clean them according to this website under the auto hubs section www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/exp.html

You can replace the hubs with new auto lockers get them from ford about 300 a piece, or from were he suggested above 2004supacrewlariat which will still cost you 200 a piece or you can covert to manual hubs which are more durable and you know when there engaged because you do it, also you can pick up a set and conversion kit to complete the install for about 200, i would suggest warn and search online you will find good prices plus lots of explorer owners are alot happyer with the manuals than the autos, just have to engage them before you press the 4x4, and no more backing up 10 feet.

I just want to make one comment to 2004supacrewlariat, how he said about replacing those things, now with the shift motor the brushs get dirty and the computer has a fail safe if it cant sense what postion its in it work work or attempt to shift the t-case, a simple cleaning and greasing will put it back in order and save you a bundle, i've only herd of one or two 91-94 explorer owener accually have to replace the motor because it shorted out or just fryed, replacing it a waste when its just dirty, i would agree with you on the hubs replace them. i dont kow about anyone else i would rather spend an hour or less cleaning my shift motor (which ive done in the past) rather than shelling out 300 for a new one, also if anyone has a fryed motor ive seen brand new ones on ebay for 175 just search there always avalable also check it for hubs.

 

i have had a similiar problem on my 93 explorer, the tap method worked for me too, i also took the hubs apart and repacked them and i have never had a problem since..i also engage the 4-wheel drive at least once or twice a month, just as a precautionary

 

Do what hostile 413 does and you will have few problems with the motors.