I have a Explorer 1997 XLT,the problem is that sometime the 4X4 is activating alone, When I drive I feel the car heavy and forced and does not advance as I want, does not mark anything in the control panel board, but the 4x4 is working, because when I turn the wheels It felt like brake and strange noise.

 

Can you be a little more specific about the problem you think you have? What type of 4x4 sytem doe you have - Ford had several that year? Are you in locked 4x4 low when experiencing the brake/strange noise on turning? Any problems with the dash lights...?

 

Thanks Jharger,
The System that I have is the Control Trac 4wd and have The Auto,4Hi, and 4LO settings with transfer case Borg -Warner 1354, I think that the 4Hi is locked, because I already remove the 20 amp fuse that is for the 4LO; in addition I didn't see any light in the control panel when the problem happened.
There is any way to see if the problem is with the abs sensor, the pressure in the tires
or something in the suspension before to check the transfer case?
Because when I use the 4x4 off road it work perfectly.
Thanks

 

I think I understand. Let me restate and let me know if I have something wrong.

With the dash switch in 4x4 Auto, the 4x4 HI (locked form/rear diffs) engages and causes the jerking, binding motion when making sharp turns on dry pavement. You removed the 20 A fuse for 4x4 Low so then abviously if you switch the dash switch to Low, nothing changes.

If this is it, I'd look towards controls first, mechanics second. First a description on the controls - I've peiced this together from several posts so if anyone see's an error, please correct. I've never worked on a control trac system myself and my full time 4WD Durango system is a little different than the Explorers.

Transfer case has an electrically controlled clutch. Under normal conditions, this clutch is activated to give about 20% engine torque to the front diff. The controls system then engeges this clutch a little more under different conditions all the way up to full lock, 50% front, 50% rear torque.

It is activated in 2 ways. 1) differential speed sensors detect a difference in rotation front to back axel and the clutch gets more electrical pulses to engage the front with more power. In an extreme condition, this will be full lock front diff. 2) move the switch on the dash to 4x4 Hi. The clutch gets full power and locks the front diff. This is then a driver selected option where you want the front fully engaged. This should only be used off road or in the snow. Otherwise you get the binding issue mentioned which ripps up the drive train.

Just FYI, the 4W low switch runs a electirc motor that engages your low ratio drive in the transfer case. it does not lock the front/rear - the clutch does that and since you must go to 4H before 4L by default, 4L is allways locked. This has no bearing on your problem.

Solution space. The sensors are in the tops of the diffs. They tend to collect metal shavings. You can pull them and wipe them off. (Just did this on my Durango.) But if they are really dirty, you should change the diff fluid. (On my list for the Durango.) Some folks this cleaning works, some have to replace the actual sensors. On the front, the sensor might be in the diff or it might use the wheel speed sensors, same ones as the ABS if so equiped. SO this is the controls side. if the sensors are telling the clutch to lock up, it will.

If this doesn't work, the clutch may be locked closed. Seems hard to believe since the cluthc packs usually wear and then you get no front drive, not the other way as you describe. But it could be another failure mechanism I suppose.

Check it out and let us know.

 

Shaggy - this is Scooby Doo - are we still on the down low or can we talk now. I need a scooby snax!

 

Hi Scooby,
Is there any way to disconnect the transfercase, with a switch without affect the computer?
thanks
Shaggy

 

Not sure what you are asking. You have a 4x4 controller which is a computer, and the PCM or main engine management computer (PCM - powertrain control module is a bit misleading since there is s seperate controller for the 4x4 - at least I think so. maybe EEC-V's control it all.)

There is no on/off switch the have just a rear wheel drive car. I suspect you could trace out the wires to the electric clutch and either cut them or pull the pins from the connector.

 

Thanks to everybody,



The problem with the 4X4 were the shocks, I replaced the 4 shocks and the problem was solved



Explorer 4x4 97

Ranger 4x4 2000