98 Expedition Transfer Case Shifting Problem

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Dec 7, 2005 | 11:14 PM

kedey

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98 Expedition Transfer Case Shifting Problem

98 Expedition XLT with 135,000 miles. AWD, 4WD, 4LO all work sometimes. If the vehicle is cold, it might work. Definately not when it's warmed up. I even sat in my driveway for 10 minutes one day shifting away and all was fine. Drove around the neighborhood for another 10 minutes shifting all the way. Drove 2 miles to the dirt to give it a workout and by the time I got there, no shifting... I have removed the shifter motor and torn it down, re-greased and re-assembled. Still, it only worked temporarily. I have heard that the shifter motor position sensor is a weak link and I can find no source to replace or repair it. Shall I just replace the silly thing or is it possible for an intermitant GEM control module problem to cause this? I hope not, they are expensive.

Dec 9, 2005 | 06:47 AM

IB Tim

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Dec 21, 2005 | 12:38 PM

lovemyexpy

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When you say it is not shifting properly, do the lights indicating what position you are in (4WD, 4LO, AWD) click on and off like it is indicating it is coming out of gear? That is the issue I have. I'm not always certain whether it is in or out when this occurs. Is the shifter motor position sensor inside the shifter motor? How difficult is it to replace the motor? Sorry for all the Q's, but you've got my attention. I've already had my shifter motor replaced a few years ago by the dealer when I had similar problems then.

Dec 21, 2005 | 10:47 PM

kedey

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Well, I just replaced the shifter motor. Got thr part from ockauto.com. It works great now. I also bought a cd based ford service manual for the truck which gave me lots of good information. Ebay is a wonderful thing. The transfer case position sensor is a integral part of the shifter motor assembly. It is the weak link in the system. It is a cheap plastic part (blue) that is on the back of the motor assembly and has (4) wires protruding from it. I have heard that if this plastic junk gets any water or moisture in it that it will cease to work. This seemed to be the case with mine. The shifter motor is very easy to replace. Took me 20 minutes once I received the part.

Dec 22, 2005 | 05:37 AM

holiday187

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Quote:

Originally Posted by kedey

gald you had it figured out. thing is though everyone here was going to tell you it was the shift motor anyway. there's people hear that are good with knowing problems. shift motors fail on these trucks often if they are not used and stuck in the same position. personally i run through all the setting daily to make sure it stays working. i also spray a little wd40 on the motor itself weekly as to keep the rust away.

Dec 23, 2005 | 09:49 AM

lovemyexpy

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Gasket with shift motor?

Kedey, I just ordered at transfer case shift motor from rockauto.com. Does the motor need a gasket and does it come with one from rockauto.com?

Thanks..........