4WD question
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Lincoln Nebraska
4WD question
I recently used my '03 Expedition in 4 WD LOW and forgot to change it back to 2WD.
I never noticed the light indicating 2WD Low... have driven the vehicle about 600 miles, including highway and interstate speeds.
Even when I noticed the switch select at 2WD Low - no light...
I"m guessing I ruined something. Any thoughts before I take in in so that I don't get taken in?
Thanks in advance.
Greg
I never noticed the light indicating 2WD Low... have driven the vehicle about 600 miles, including highway and interstate speeds.
Even when I noticed the switch select at 2WD Low - no light...
I"m guessing I ruined something. Any thoughts before I take in in so that I don't get taken in?
Thanks in advance.
Greg
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 263
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From: USA
Gzimmer, Do you mean you drove it in 4wd low for 600 miles? The top speed in 4-Low is like 30mph. Are you it wasn't in at least 4-hi? Also in 4-low when you even tap the gas the vehicle pounces b/c its geared down so low at that point.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Lincoln Nebraska
I know there will be a turning and speed issue and there were none - which is why I did not realize something might be amisss until I noticed the switch... and yes,the selector switch was set to 4-low.
I was pulling stumps at the time and I was pretty sure that I put the vehicle in 4-low... I just can't imagine how I would not notice later if the vehicle was in 4 WD low or high.
So, maybe my real problem is in the switch...
I was pulling stumps at the time and I was pretty sure that I put the vehicle in 4-low... I just can't imagine how I would not notice later if the vehicle was in 4 WD low or high.
So, maybe my real problem is in the switch...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 338
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From: Tucson
Your top speed at 4k RPM would be 35. You were not in 4low if you drove the truck on the street after that and did not notice. Try it now and see if it even goes in 4 low. Remember you need to be in neutral. I think you might have pulled the stump in 4hi. If you drove in 4hi for ~600 miles I think if nothing broke and everything works you are fine. Granted it was not designed for this and some parts might show accelerated wear it will probably still have a useful life. Check the u-joints and CV joints and and ball joints.
Dave
Dave
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 263
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From: USA
Yeah Gzimmer it may be the switch. When I started test driving Xpe's I thought you could switch them to 4Low while moving. I'd throw them from 4Hi to 4Low and think to myself that they aren't geared very low, but I was used to old school 4wd's (70's F-250's, Jeep CJ's etc.) so I figured they just wussied up 4wd over the years. Well, on one I stopped and switched to 4Low and waited for the clicking noises stop. Upon starting off again I was like "WOW!!! That's the 4Low I remember!" I haven't used it in a while, but I bet 4Low would max out at 20-30 mph and the front end would really be pulling and jerking when you turn the wheel.
To field check it. Start the truck, put the truck in Neutral, and switch the selector to 4Low. Wait like 30 seconds b/c it takes a minute to activate the switches and all that. Give the gas pedal a good stab. If it doesn't throw you back in the seat HARD you're not in 4Low. If it doesn't work try to find the fuses / relays and check them first. I've never had problems with mine so I'm not familiar with this electronic set up.
To field check it. Start the truck, put the truck in Neutral, and switch the selector to 4Low. Wait like 30 seconds b/c it takes a minute to activate the switches and all that. Give the gas pedal a good stab. If it doesn't throw you back in the seat HARD you're not in 4Low. If it doesn't work try to find the fuses / relays and check them first. I've never had problems with mine so I'm not familiar with this electronic set up.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42
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From: Lincoln Nebraska
Well, I'm an idiot - I never got the vehicle into 4wd-low. I had not put the vehicle into nuetral prior to making the switch.
I've since tried mcn420's suggestion - that is 4wd -low as I recall. I guess I did not notice the difference at the time because the stumps came out so easy...
Well then, if I was not in 4wd low, can I just assume I was in 2wd?
I can't believe I could not figure this out on my own.
Thanks for your help!
And thanks Luzer27, mcn420 and fordman15 for your responses!
I've since tried mcn420's suggestion - that is 4wd -low as I recall. I guess I did not notice the difference at the time because the stumps came out so easy...
Well then, if I was not in 4wd low, can I just assume I was in 2wd?
I can't believe I could not figure this out on my own.
Thanks for your help!
And thanks Luzer27, mcn420 and fordman15 for your responses!
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: USA
Hey gzimmer it happens to all of us! I'm not sure if you would've been in 4-Lo 4-Hi or 2wd. My 2000 doesn't have a 2wd position, so I'm in at least AWD at all times. I don't remember what the Xpe I test drove in what I thought was 4-Lo did. Maybe others can comment.
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From: Cornelius, Oregon
If you switched it to 4lo without going into neutral, it probably went into 4hi (engaged the front driveline) but couldn't get the transfercase reduction gear to engage. So you probably drove those 600 miles in 4hi. Not the best, but you probably didn't hurt anything if you didn't hear any popping or snapping noises.
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gzimmer,
Find a nice, empty, gravel or dirt road. Run the 4wd system through all the settings, ensuring that the vehicle is stopped, the transmission in Neutral, and your foot on the brake before engaging or disengaging 4LO.
The difference between 4HI and 4LO is very obvious, particularly if you're in 4LO and jump on the throttle from a stop. It's a bit sudden.
Find a nice, empty, gravel or dirt road. Run the 4wd system through all the settings, ensuring that the vehicle is stopped, the transmission in Neutral, and your foot on the brake before engaging or disengaging 4LO.
The difference between 4HI and 4LO is very obvious, particularly if you're in 4LO and jump on the throttle from a stop. It's a bit sudden.