the glove box can tilt all the way out to open up access to the area behind it. Just open the glove box and push the sides of the glove box in towrds the center and the top of the glove box will pivot out (it stays attached to the dash on the bottom)

 

You can see it with the glove box open ( upper left side). I would think you would have to take the glove box off to get to the two mounting screws. Has One harness that plugs in as far as I can tell. Hopefully the two mount screw holes are slotted so all you have to do is loosen them, unplug the harness, and slide the module out. The Dash defininately don't have to come out.

 

Sorry edward, didn't see your post. Mine still works like NEW! Happy! HappY hAPPY!!!

 

I posted this in the other posts that I started and since it applied I thought I would post it here as well:

I have fixed the problem and I thought I would post my findings for anyone with these troubles in the future(And there will be others, The guys at the deallership said that they have a ton in stock because they sell them all the time).

The problem was the Shift control Module. It is a black 6" X 4" box made by motorola and has two wire harnesses going into it. The purpose of this box is to control the motor on the transfer case to shift into 4wd. The part # is IL54-7H417-AC and costs $185 dollars from the dealer. The part is not available from chain parts stores (advance auto, autozone, NAPA, ect.).

Causes:
This part becomes fualty from a power surge. This is not only common on Sport tracs but is also common on other 4.0 4wd's (ranger, explorers, ect.) and possibly others. I have done alot of research and I can not find out what the power surge is caused from. I have found claims that the newer modules are designed to accomodate/protect from this surge.

Symptoms:
To determine if this is probably the problem with your vehicle there are a few things to diagnose.
1. The #1 sign is that your 4wd drive will work fine one minute and then not the next without any signs of wear/damage/failure. If it is this module the 4wd will do nothing. The dash indicator lights will not come on and it will not feel or sound like it is engaging. I did not have this problems but some people claimed that the 4wd lights no longer flashed when they turned the car on.
2. When you switch the vehicle into either 4hi or 4lo you should hear 2 short clicks coming from behind the dash. This is the control module. If you dont hear this it is probably the shift control module.
3. Try unconnecting the battery for a few minutes. This sometimes temporarily fixes the problem and your 4wd will work. If this happens there is a good chance that your shift control module is at fault.

Location:
This item can be found in many areas behind the dash. Generally it is not hard to get to but you may have trouble finding it. If you are lucky enough for it to work when you disconnect the battery, try to listen for the clicks to locate the module. I have a 2001 Manual tranny sport trac and it was found behind the passengers kick panel. The Kick panel pops right off. I have also heard that it is sometimes behind the glove box. You can simply pull down the glove box and it will be behind it. Like I have already stated it has 2 wire harnesses that plug directly into the module. They easily slide out by pressing the button on the harnesses. In addition the module is held in place with two small hex head sheet metal screws.

I hope this helps for anyone that may face this issue in the future.

 

Update:

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It seems that I jumped the gun on my post of this issue. Swapping the control Module did not fix the problem. Yesterday when I changed the part it worked immediately and throughout the night. Not only did the dash indicator light come on but I heard the clicks, and felt the 4wd engage. This morning when I started the truck the 4wd worked, when I stopped at the gas station it worked but when I got stuck on a snowy hill IT DIDN’T WORK!!!!!

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Now I am down $200 and am back to square one. I don’t think that It would be the motor on the transfer case. If it was I should be able to here the clicks from the control module. Here is where I need the help. When I turn the car on now the 4wd dash indicator lights flash. From what I read this is a sign that the control module is fine. What is prior to the control module in the wiring sequence. Would it only be the dash switch? The only logical thing that I can think that is broken is the switch . If the switch is broken It would not be telling the control module to tell the motor on the transfer case to work. This switch is only 18$ bucks from the dealer

 

Same problem here with my father's 2001 ranger with 4.0. Haven't done anything to it yet. Thinking I"ll start with the switch and slowly work my way to the more expensive parts.

 

Here is something that worked in my '94. Don't know if other years are the same.

Under the cover with the 3 security Torx/Allen screws, there is the gear that is driven by a worm drive from the motor, and this gear shaft is attached to the shift on the transfer case. it is about the diameter of a coke can. on the back side of this gear (you'll probably need to remove the motor to get it out) there is a stop pin with a nylon sleeve. After some years, this sleeve gets smashed and the shaft returns beyond the stop that the pin/sleeve is supposed to contact. It then becomes possible for the position "fingers" to lose track of where the motor is positioned. The result is that when you try to engage 4x4, nothing happens, no lights, no camera, no action.

If you find this problem, you can get a piece of something about the same diameter and put it on there. it is held in position by interference with the housing, so it seems like it will fall out. That's OK.

BTW, make indicator marks on things before taking them apart. I didn't.

A little wiggle on your back is cheaper than $200 and is worth a try. Many shift motors get replaced just because of this little problem that isn't resolved by cleaning up the brushes on the motor.

 

Not to dig up old posts but I just got a quote for $317 for this control module (1L2Z 7E453 A MODULE TRANSFER) for my '02 Explorer from my local dealership. Where are you guys finding it for around $200 at? Any help would be great!

 

The module is 200. Did the 317 include the labor. If so do it yourself, it is very easy. I bought Mine at a dealer since no one else carries it. If it is 317 for just the control module keep shopping at other dealers.

 

It was $317 for just the module, they wanted another $150 for labor. I've already had the module out once before so I know it's literally a 10 minute job.

Is there any risk in changing it while the battery's connected or should I disconnect the neg and let it sit a little while?

 

Try directfordparts.com. The phone number in on their contact page. Be sure to have your VIN handy when you call to make sure you get the right module for your Ex. For my '02 XLT the module was about $155 shipped.

Be sure to disconnect the battery ground before starting to replace the module. The trick (on Gen 3s) to removing the module is to remove the screw that comes up from the lower right side of the module. The bracket the module is attached to then swings out for easy removal. Good luck.

 

Sounds good, thanks for the help!

 

neemeth- open the glove box all the way. So it points at the floor, you will see the module held on by 2 screws, good luck.

 

I bought my moduel for $159 from Bob Utter Ford in Texas. I changed it myself in 15 minutes. If I had to do it again I could do it in 5 minutes


Its a simple job and best of all it worked ... My 4x4 is back operative again !!!

 

I'm looking for the switch module on my 92, which seems to be different, more expensive ($400 from www.directfordparts.com), and in a different location. Seems Explorers before 1999 have a different location. Thanks.