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I have a 2002 Edge with a 4.0. After finding myself in some nasty mud yesterday I also found out my 4x4 doesnt work, (it worked fine 2 days ago). Usually I turn the switch, something clicks down by the glove box, then it goes into gear. To go into 4L I do the same but need to put it into R to get it to engage.
Pulled all the fuses and they were fine. Is there a solaniod hidden somewhere that controls this or does the the switch connect directly to the transfer case?
Thanks for the help.
Yeah, and for what it's worth, you shouldn't need to move your truck forward or backward to engage the 4WD....because you don't have auto. hubs. I'd get the switch checked and then the shift motor on the t-case.
I had the same problem with my '98. I started by replacing the transfer case motor. When I opened it up, the magnets were cracked. This, however, didn't fix my problem. I then checked the resistance on all settings of the switch and they checked out fine. I then reset the control module by removing the connectors and plugging them back in. It's worked like a charm since.
You should check the plug for the transfer case motor. There should should be a wiring harness right there, pull off the connector and clean it all out in there. Some people have had to remove the motor and clean it out. Good luck.
Do you get any clicks from the control module at all? If resetting the control module doesn't fix it I'd look at the motor. It's simple to remove. This link gives a lot of information about cleaning and rebuilding it.
If you need to buy a new one, rockauto.com has them for 119.00. Got mine there and it works great. It's a rebuilt unit but appears to be new.
My original problem was probably just the control module. The magnets in the motor may have broken when I tapped it with a hammer. Looked like the previous owner had taken a hammer to it in the past but not as gently as me. I probably just finished it off.
Hopefully resetting the control module will do it for you.
Turned out to be the control mod. Ford dealer plugged it into a computer and that was the code it spit out. $275 for parts and labor, 1 excavator to pull me out the other day and its back in service.
Miss the days of a manual lever directly to the case.