New member post. First let me thank all whom have posted here, the information has been invaluable in locating and fixing many of the nickle and dime problems on a 1997 Explorer Sport I have purchased for my daughter. I have searched and read all threads concerning the dreaded 4WD blinking lights, transfer case motor removal and the checking of the HALL sensors. Vehicle seems to be stuck in 4WD HI with normal indications (binding of drivetrain) Before I tackle any of the disassembely of the motor I have a question on troubleshooting. When switching from AUTO to 4WD HI the moter does not engage, from 4WD HI to LO it engages and from LO to HI it engages, from HI to AUTO, nothing. Is this normal or is there a shaft position on the TC motor shaft it is supossed to continue to turn for AUTO. Could be the switch (which would be much easier to to replace if it is suposed to continue. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

 

The T/C has a electrical/magnetic operated clutch (single brown wire on T/C) which is deenergized when in the off/auto position,

12vdc is applied to this clutch when switched to 4hi (no motor movement), engaging the front shaft.

When switched from 4hi to 4 low the motor turns a shaft in the T/C, changing the gear ratio.

If the clutch remains engaged with the switch in the off/auto position, check for power on the brown wire.

If there is no power, check the condition of the fluid, old dirty, thick fluid should be drained and refilled with transmission fluid.

If the drive train is still locked in 4 hi, you may have a mechanical problem with the ball cam device on the clutch which will require dismantling.

Your other option would be to drop the front driveshaft and use the truck as a 2wd

 

Thanks for the info. Will check the voltage on the brown wire (in AUTO ther should be no volatage and in 4WD there should be voltage), change fluid and recheck the operation.

 

rclinton,

caution:
Before you dump the fluids, it is recommended that you remove the file plug first, sometimes it freezes into the case, if you dump it first, you will not be able to refill

 

Would like to thank all who have posted with information both in this thread and on this site. My daughter brought her 1997 Explorer Sport to a national transmission repair shop, (It was stuck in 4WD). After two days of trouble shooting they tossed up their hands and said they just didnt know what was wrong with the transfer case. All they could recommend was disconnect the front drive shaft. On the positive side they didnt charge her anything for the diagnostics and even gave her the troubleshooting and wiring diagrams they had been using. I did disconnected the front drive shaft to not cause any damage during troubleshooting/driving. Based on the recommendations from forum members I narrowed the problem to the electric clutch function while in AUTO. Shot the wires and found them all to be correct. Finally I replaced the transmission fluid in the transfer case. Im sure the fluid was the original fluid with 155,000 miles on it (nice and brown looking). Amazingly all is back to normal AUTO/4WD HI/LO functions all work as new. Total cost, 1.5 qts of transmission fluid and a hand pump to fill the transfer case ~ $10.00 total. Thanks again to all whom make this forum absolutly invaluable the shadetree mechanics who dont mind getting their hands dirty.

 

I am pleased that you followed the instructions and fixed the problem without throwing money down the toilet.

If it was really burned and thick you may have to repeat the treatment in about 10k as the new fluids will flush the scum.

I appreciate the fact that you came back and reported the results, hence we all learn from each other.

 

rclinton..I have a 1997 Sport 4x4 that on occassion goes into 4x4 uncommanded - dash switch in AUTO - 2wd mode. I just unplugged the electrical connection to the shift motor and now it stays in 2wd all the time. Now I need to figure out why I was having this problem. The posts in the string above are invaluable. I wasn't aware that when in 4 HI, the shift motor was not involved at all (thanks aquanaut 20!).
The symtom I had was the front axle was engaging just before coming to a stop with cluth in. When you let the clutch back out, the truck would lunge as the front axle engaged unexpectantly. I don't know if it was lunging into 4 HI or 4 LO??? Felt like 4 LO as it is a pretty powerful lunge! Anyway, with harness disconnected at the shift motor, all is calm now. I gotta figure this out and get it fixed.

The strange thing is, the truck goes into 4 HI and 4 LO normally with the dash switch.
All works fine. It just acts up when in AUTO.

 

Hello, I am new here and hope I am posting correctly. I have been reading and learning even though I know nothing about cars. My 97 explorer is doing the same as the others are talking about, the blinking 4 wheel drive light started but seemed fine driving, this went on for months, happening now and then, not all the time. Then the OD light started doing the same thing. It didnt do it all the time only now and then. Then the car started like grinding or like the brakes were on while tuning corners. Well, I took it to the garage and they put a new auto shift motor $300+$100 labor (that is what the bill says) on the phone I believe he did call it the transfer case. Drove great for a week, no problems but I dont drive it much so when my son took it out for a hour or so drive the OD/off light started blinking and when braking it started screaching even though the brakes feel just fine! This screaching is new and never had this before and again , it only is happening now and then. I think the longer it is driven then it starts its crazy stuff but I usually take it for such short drives to the store ect.. I feel this new screaching noise has to be from something the garage did when putting in this new case, but when I called they said probably not. Thinking back to last year about this time, the car started running rough ,( "hard start" he has on the bill )so I took her in to my usual garage, he did a total flush. (no idea what sort of flush) but it ran great for along time, until all this started that I have been talking about. Sorry for such a long post but I sure hope I can get some advise before I spend money that I really don't need to spend. As far as just disconnecting this 4X4 that would be fine with me but not sure if this is what my problem is or what? HELP ... thanks much, in advance. Jean

 

i have a 96 explorer, recently it seems to have gotten stuck in a neutral position. does not go into 2, 4hi, or 4lo. i can run it through lo1-reverse and it doe not engage, however if i try to put it into park while running it grinds, so i just shut it off and put in park. my thought was the electric motor on the tc, not sure what else to look for. any advice would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

 

Your symptoms do not sound like a transfer case issue, they sound like a transmission issue.

To start with, have you checked the level and condition of the transmission fluid? Are there any oil leaks underneath that might suggest the transmission or lines are leaking?

-Rod

 

My front shaft is not on will it cause problems in my 97 control trac 4x4