Hello
I've been having a problem this winter with the auto 4wd 4wd lo and the ABS on my 1996 Explorer that Ive had since new
Im not too familiar with the operations of the 4wd electrical switching from 2wd to 4wd and 4wd lo but one slushy sloppy evening I was driving in 4wd and I heard a whining noise comming from the drivers side while making a slow turn and then the 4wd indicator lights started to flash On and Off when this happened I switched the truck back into 2wd and drove home and consulted the owners manual which refered me to make a service appointment with my Ford dealer I took the truck in the next day which had warmed up and melted the snow on the road and they did a running road tests of the 4wd and they couldnt find any problem other than that they reset two problem codes which ones I dont know.
The next time the weather became slushy and sloppy I switched to 4wd from 2wd and the problem reappeared, this time I noticed that while in 4wd that everytime I stopped and started on the slippery road the rear wheels would spin and then the truck would heavily clunk into 4wd ( it seemed as though the truck was going in and out of 4wd)
Eventually the 4wd indicator lights started to flash and I switched back to 2wd and the truck would drive fine.
Also, I dont know if this is a related problem but my ABS will activate when Im doing a slow turn while applying the brakes like if Im pulling into a parking spot or simply going slowly around a street corner while applying the brakes whether the road is wet or dry.
These problems seem to be electrical to me maybe sensors that may be exposed to the elements or misaligned or simply worn out.
Help would be greatly appreciated, I'd like to keep this ride going for another ten years.
Thanks in advance
Brydgy

 

On the second problem you describe:
It may be that the cause of your ABS activation at low speeds is due to front sensor misalignment due to rust build-up around the sensor mounting hole in the hub. I had what sounds like the exact same problem last fall and is fairly common. Gently, I repeat gently, remove your sensors (you might have to use a small amount of Liquid Wrench to free the sensor from the hub as it may be rusted in there and the sensor is plastic and can SNAP off if you are too agressive), and clean up the mounting hole. I think I pulled the wheel, then pulled of the caliper braket & brake disk to get at it. There was a single allen bolt holding the sensor in place and oring around the shaft of the sensor to maintain the hub seal. Check out this post as well:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...bs#post3195688

Good luck!

 

Hey jamester

Thanks for the info I will definitely give that a try, I've had my truck oiled by Krown every year since new so if rust is the problem I'll let my Krown guy know
I'll keep you posted about the outcome
hopefully the TC problem is the same I'll look at those sensors also

Brydgy