88 Bronco, 302 just rebuilt engine 2 days ago.
I'm on a roll, trying to fix all the problems that come
with the older ones (145-K). But hey; price out a new
truck, and its still not a Bronco. Now I'm trying to get the
auto four wheel drive to work (push button on dash).
can anybody help me with troubleshooting. All input is welcome

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Sep-02 AT 04:59 PM (EST)]I have never had the push button four wheel drive but you might want to check your hubs if they are the automatic style. I have had them fail on both of my two previous ford trucks which left me with out four wheel drive.(had to get towed out of the sand by a toyota)
This is just a idea if you find out your switch is working along with your transfer case.


96 Ford Bronco 351

 

I had the auto hubs for the first 2 years of my 1996.
After they went out twice, I installed the Warn manual hubs.
No problems since.
Ford does make an auto hub repair kit for the auto hubs.
Or you can buy a new auto hub and put it in.
It seems like usually one of the front auto hubs breaks, and then neither front wheel will turn in 4 wheel drive.
Good luck to you,
Gene

 

I did replace both of my previous fords with warn manuel hubs once the autos went out. The bronco I have now came with warn steel manuel hubs. Dont ever want to be towed by a toyota again.

 

You can check to see if the transfer case is engaging by shifting into 4wd then crawling under the truck and trying to turn the front driveshaft by hand. Try this in 2wd first so that you'll have something to compare it to.

If the x-fer case is not working, it's more than likely the electric motor. Check the electrical connections and if they're all good, *tap* on the electric motor with a screwdriver or a like instrument.

Even with all this new-fangled computer mess, a Bronco still responds best to a little percussive maintenance. I.E. just beat it until it starts working again!!

Jon
1989 F-150 XL- 4x4, 302, M50D
1995 Bronco Eddie Bauer- 351W, E40D

 

Don't forget that @)(%@#&)(%&@#)%&@# control module in the right footwell! Mine has gone out......not the switch, not the motor, but that module.....talk about expensive! I think I'm going to bite the bullet and put in the manual one from my '88 parts Bronco....

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Sep-02 AT 01:01 PM (EST)]
Rallyman you might be right. My dash button doesn't even light up. Maybe the control module runs a circut to the switch-button. Funny though when
the button is pressed, I do here a couple of clicks in passenger footwell. Is there a test to determine if I have a bad control module. Other post sugest hubs or electric motor. I would think the button would still light up if that were the trouble. I know how one needs to beat on a starter motor to make it run sometimes when they get hot. I took apart the hubs myself in oder to lathe the rotors. I don't know how they would break unless its a mechanical failure or I failed as a mech. could it simply be the switch-button. I'm more of a shadetree Mech than a computer hacker Thanks for your input.

 

Did your 4 wheel drive work before you took apart the hubs? Anyway try testing your transfer case like oldblue said in the previous post. Then you could deterimine for sure that it is your switch or somthing to do with the pushbutton setup.

 

The four weel drive was down before I worked on the hubs.
I'm a bit weak about how that whole thing works,(shift on the fly)
1. I beat on the exfer case motor, it seemes to be enguageing
when I have a helper depress the button- kicks forward and back 2
times insync with the computer clicking. But I'm not sure, just because it's makeing noise that it means it is actually working.
2. Per/oldblue, I hand cranked the front shaft from the x/fer case.
I found that it would revolve once and then seem to stop but
not like it enguaged, besides, the test, presumes that I can shift
first in 2w then in 4w and observe the differance. but the button
controls this function which takes me back to the problem
stated in my original post.

 

Osceola,

Here's what I did after my 4x4 locked up out in the desert and wouldn't come out......I won't go into how I got back without the pushbutton dohickey working...........

1. Pull the drive motor off the back of the T-case. Have someone push the button to put it into 4 Hi. IF the motor activates/moves then you know that everything from the button to the control module to the motor is working. ** Problem lies from inside the T-case up thru the front hubs then.

2. If the motor does not activate / move - then the problem lies in the pushbutton, the control module or the motor (not to mention all the wiring in between). Start with the motor because that is easiest to rule out. There is a plug on the wiring harness to the motor. Unplug this and looking at the harness this is what you should see:
There are a group of about 7 wires that feed the motor. 5 go to the flat portion that sits around the drive nub. There are two that go into a small 'can' looking device - this is the actual motor portion. Note the colors of the wires going into the 'can'(motor). Find the position of these two wires on the plug.

--the other wires going into the flat portion are just for the indicator lights and sensors ---

Get two lengths of wire - household electrical wire ,14-2, 12-2, something like that. Stick them in the plug in the position of the two hot wires to the motor. Use a set of jumper cables to attach the battery to the wires and the motor should move if it is good. NOTE: you may have to reverse the connections because power is put one way for into 4wd and reversed to take it to 2wd. (This is how I got mine OUT of 4wd low and drove back from the desert!)

If the motor works then your problem is narrowed to the pushbutton or the control module. My bet is usually on the module for 2 reasons - first is the button is fairly simple and SHOULD not fail (note I said should!) Second - and most importantly - the control module is REALLY expensive so it should fail first!

I hope this helps to narrow down your search........I finally decided to take mine to the Ford Dealer and pay the $70 to have it checked - I have it narrowed to the switch or the module and figure that no matter which way I go I'll choose wrong....so the $70 is like cheap insurance at this point.........by the way.......my bet from what you say is that your motor is gone or going.....my module ceased to make any clicking noises a long time ago. But run through these checks and see what you find.

Good Luck!

 

Had the same problem after a rebuild on my 302. Turned out to be the speed sensor on the transfer case. Might be your issue as well.

 

I had a 1989 autolocks & button push engage - I had a problem where it would click click click - but rarely engaged. It turned out to be the control module in the passenger kick panel. 500 dollars Canadian - about 325 US

That might be the problem. The module senses vehicle speed and engages the motor on the transfer case when all conditions are met.