4x4 help!
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New User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
4x4 help!
Hello all,
I have a 1992 ford explorer, I bought it about 5 months ago. I have been trying to fix all the problems that have come up with it since then, new motor, new sensors, fuel pump, etc. Another issue has popped up this week with it. The 4x4 on it has never worked, and I have never really tried to mess with it all too much considering all the other issues I have had with the truck. I noticed tonight while I was driving the 4x4 light came on. The truck didn't drive any different. I pulled into a gas station and turned it off, and restarted it. I was thinking that it might be a fluke that it just popped on. When I turned the truck back the light came on and stayed on. I might be interested in fixing the 4x4 on this truck. Am I damaging something on the truck drving it this way, its not in 4x4, it's just saying it is, also what do I need to test in order to fix this issue? I am sorry about the brokeness of the message, it's just pretty late at night right now. I appreciate any responses, you guys and gals are great. I am pretty much at wits end with this thing. Thanks for your time!
I have a 1992 ford explorer, I bought it about 5 months ago. I have been trying to fix all the problems that have come up with it since then, new motor, new sensors, fuel pump, etc. Another issue has popped up this week with it. The 4x4 on it has never worked, and I have never really tried to mess with it all too much considering all the other issues I have had with the truck. I noticed tonight while I was driving the 4x4 light came on. The truck didn't drive any different. I pulled into a gas station and turned it off, and restarted it. I was thinking that it might be a fluke that it just popped on. When I turned the truck back the light came on and stayed on. I might be interested in fixing the 4x4 on this truck. Am I damaging something on the truck drving it this way, its not in 4x4, it's just saying it is, also what do I need to test in order to fix this issue? I am sorry about the brokeness of the message, it's just pretty late at night right now. I appreciate any responses, you guys and gals are great. I am pretty much at wits end with this thing. Thanks for your time!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
4x4 help!
Hi there,
Im not an expert on the Ford Explorers.. but there are several things you may want to check. Does your truck have a push button 4 wheel drive? Or does it have a shifter? Either way it most likely has electronics involved.. so it could be a fuse somewhere. If your 4 wheel drive is activated by a shifter, you might be able to put manual locking hubs on your truck. I am not sure if they are available for it... but with the combination of shifter and manual locking hubs, you would override anything electrical. Just a thought..
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
Im not an expert on the Ford Explorers.. but there are several things you may want to check. Does your truck have a push button 4 wheel drive? Or does it have a shifter? Either way it most likely has electronics involved.. so it could be a fuse somewhere. If your 4 wheel drive is activated by a shifter, you might be able to put manual locking hubs on your truck. I am not sure if they are available for it... but with the combination of shifter and manual locking hubs, you would override anything electrical. Just a thought..
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, KY USA
4x4 help!
I wouldn't drive it untill you have it looked at by a mechanic. Your truck's 4x4 could be engaged electronically. If is engages at the right time, it could cause damage to the transfer case, which would cost big bucks. Also, if you are on the highway and it engages, when you're not expecting it, it could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Good luck. Hope it's just a bad switch, but, wouldn't gamble on it.
Bluehawk
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.
Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, fender flares, and 35" BF Goodrich T/A KO tires.
Good luck. Hope it's just a bad switch, but, wouldn't gamble on it.
Bluehawk
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.
Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, fender flares, and 35" BF Goodrich T/A KO tires.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Kent, WA
4x4 help!
On your transfer case there should be an electric motor that engages and disengages your transfer case. Inside that moter there is a big magnet. If that magnet brakes your screwed! I don't know how much they charge ya for a new one, and I don't wanna know. The motor going out might be part of your 4x4 light problem.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
4x4 help!
I guess you have the push button version as that seems to be the most common and problematic. The light comes on when the electric motor in your xfer case engages. I skip the obvious question of "how do you know it doesn't work" and say it's that dang engaging motor in your t-case. Something is completing the circuit. A faulty wire connection within the system could be the culprit. Yes, it can be bad thing to drive around with a problem like that. If the case is in fact engaged in 4x4 you're in the process of ruining a lot of you drive train. It's a part-time system designed to work on slippery or forgiving surfaces, not a dry packed road (asphalt, crushed gravel).
Pull out a multi-meter and check to see if you're getting a voltage to the case motor when that light's on. Jack it up, check your rotation, and listen for the chain slippage noises.
Hope it steers you right.
-Kerry
Pull out a multi-meter and check to see if you're getting a voltage to the case motor when that light's on. Jack it up, check your rotation, and listen for the chain slippage noises.
Hope it steers you right.
-Kerry
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
4x4 help!
First place to look is the electrical connections on the transfer case motor, Unhook them , then clean them up super good with rubbing alcohol and some q-tips. make sure to re coat with some silicone contact grease...repeat above step for the connections on the motor.
The older transfer case motors had problems with oxidation in the connections..it's a common problem with the older rangers and explorers in my neck of the woods, especially if the 4x4 was rarely used.
pretty sure that will do the trick, if not new 4x4 selector motor time..
My .02
Super
The older transfer case motors had problems with oxidation in the connections..it's a common problem with the older rangers and explorers in my neck of the woods, especially if the 4x4 was rarely used.
pretty sure that will do the trick, if not new 4x4 selector motor time..
My .02
Super
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