I have a 99 Exlorer Eddy Bauer with 67k. Took long drive on Saturday and at end 4wheel drive engaged when turning sharp corners at slow speeds. Can feel binding in front end when turning and can hear transmission winding up. Have been to two trans shops with little help. First had Snap-on Scan tool with zero error, second had multi tool which got all data error code of C1107? No one knows what code is. First shop thinks it is the Vicous Coupling, second has no clue and wants to open it up w/o estimate, not for me. Has anybody had this problem and what was the resolution?

 

When has the transfer case fluid last been changed?

 

Sorry about that, Changed yesterday and it was dark but not burnt, with no clumping or metalic shavings of any sort.

 

Did the fluid change affect the severity of the problem?

 

What about the electric motor that shifts the transfer case? Verified that it's working?

 

Will have to do that tonight. Will have to check the manuel for instrutions for test.

 

I have the exact same problem with me 99XLT. Mine seems to do it after I drive on the interstate for about 10 miles or more. I am glad someone else has this problem. The dealer told me that it might just be the torque-on-demand transfer case. I wasn't happy with that answer. I haven't changed the fulid yet but I am going to shortly. Let me know if this aleviates the problem. It's been real interesting trying to explain this to people here on the forums and the dealer.

Mark

 

Is yours a All wheel drive or 4 wheel on demand. Drove truck for short distance last night and the problem was gone for now, but do not think it is gone for good, but do change the oil in transfer case as some feel this is a starting point.

 

I purchased a 99 Expedition last year with AWD and I have the same problem.

I spoke to several mechanics who could not identify the problems. Then my mechanic explained that it was due to a computer mapping problem. The said the computer settings that are loaded for sensors that monitor wheel slip in order to engage 4-wheel drive are too sensitive.

He found that when cornering, if there is a tire size difference (front to rear and side to side change due to wear and or inflation) that the computer senses wheel slip and puts it into 4-wheel drive and then quickly back out... I have measured the tires on my vehicle and it's true front to rear they are off by almost a 1/4". If I adjust the tire pressure just right they problem goes away for a while.

My mechanic said Ford has a tech bulletin out on the problem and that it can be fixed by flashing the computer. This has to be done by a dealership but none on the local Ford dealers want to do it. They want to replace the transfer case or rebuild the transmission and I won't do it...

Anyone heard anything else about this problem?

 

Great,
that is the third time I have heard that now from totally different sources, from what I have learned its not just ford with the problem. I did check air pressure on Monday and it seems as if the problem is gone for the moment. One question, did you hear the front end make a wind up sound when you were taking sharp corners.

 

Yes I get that noise once in a while too.

I went out to Motorcraftservice.com to look for tech bullitens and had to pay $9.95 to see them but found two tech bullitens explaining how to fix some of these problems. They are too lengthy to type in here but the numbers were "00-8-4 Issue: A chattering noise from the rear axle may be heard when turning or cornering. This could be due to differentials containing clutch packs that have been guaged too tichtly." - Sounds close but not positive this is the problem.

Another one I found is more likely but even more complicated to diagnose and fix..

It was article # 01-14-1 some vehicles may exhibit inadvertent 4x4 Hi or Low shift events, 4x4 and or low range indicator flashing or solid or vehicle stuck in 4L after an uncommanded shift. This may be caused by 4x4 shift motors. The symptoms in this article are exactly what I experience, the 4x4 drive is engaging uncomanded but the light does not indicate it. This article even references the tire size/pressure as a cause but does not indicate a fix other than replacing all of the 4xx shift motors to a new version... Not sure what the $%# that means... It also says if you are experiencing this problem it should reset each time the key is turned off or by manually selecting 4H and then back to A4WD. I found that to work in reducing the symptoms on my vehicle just from playing around, that makes me think we are on the right track with this article...

I am going to take the articles to my mech. and see what he thinks but he'll probably tell me what he has said in the past "keep the tires the same size and deal with it, the dealer won't fix it and I could spend tons of $$ and not fix it either".

I might try the dealer too now that I have some ammo from Ford that explains the problem, does not really list a fix though...