ok, i did do a search for this problem. never could find what i was experiencing.

i have a 95 EB 351 with manual hubs in the front.. the other day i was driving through town. turned off my bronco did some shopping got back in started it up and the 4x4 indicator was lit up on the dash. and the orange light next to the push button was on.

tried pushing it to disengage it. i tried it in park, neutral and slightly moving. nothing. lights stayed on.

i never heard it engage at all.

now today i turned it off, got back in turned it on and 4 low was lit up on the push botton and on the dash.

can not get it to disengage. as i took off it was real rough on switching out of 1st gear. but once it did it drove fine. and it only did that odd shifting twice while driving. by the time i got home it was driving normal. however the indicator lights were still on.

if i can be honest, when i first bought the bronco i was cruising down the freeway and bumped the 4x4 button. heard awful grinding, immediately let off gas and pushed it again. grinding stopped but my mind didnt, i was panicking. i probably ruined something. if i did thats ok, ill fix yet another problem! however that was some time ago, and and i have used the 4x4 since then and it worked fine.

 

guess i just need to know where to start in this process. is this normal to have this many problems??!?!! (it does have 180,000 miles on it )

 

upon further investigation...

checked out the control module. it works good. (push the white button and the red light lights up and stays on)

decided that it must be the shift motor. would this cause the lights to just stay on?

if i try and disengage the 4low i hear a clicking sound in the control module. but the light stays on. when i hit the 4x4 button i hear nothing.

thanks in advance!

 

Follow the proper procedures to engage/disengage the 4x4. The low has to be disengaged while in neutral. And when you disengage the 4x4 (i recommend doing this parked, after driving a while) you have to move at least 10 feet in the opposite direction you were moving before disengaging. If the light doesn't turn off, keep trying the button until it does.

 

Tx FF, if i recall u have to unplug the harness before pushing the white button,and to be honest at various times my 4x4 indicator lights up unwillingly( dim lit.As u push the white button i belive your checking the computer only.The shift motors are troublesome and i have rebuilt mine as the plastic stoppers in them fall apart. Proper way to engage 4x4 is by pushing the 4x4 button( high) then for low stop vehicle neutral low ( famous clunk) should be in low . Good luck TR

 

thanks for the help. i will try this in a few.

is rebuiling the shift motor something i can do myself? i read somewhere that a guy rebuilt his for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

 

The "self test" on the control module (under the pass. side kick panel) must be done with the wiring harness(s) disconnected.

The clicking sound you are hearing is a small solenoid located inside the module. That is an indicator that it is trying to send a shift command to the motor on the t-case.

Modules do go bad.....but the shift motor is a much more likely culprit.

If you want to spend the time...you can disconnect the harness at the t-case apply 12 volts to the wiring (orange wire...IIRC) to check the motor.

There is also a speed sensor (brown wire?) that is troublesome.

I got tired of fooling with mine....time after time... and just swapped in a manual shift BW1356.

Best thing I ever did....besides getting rid of the automatic hubs.

Good luck,

Flint.

 

Tx ff , unplug the two wire harness in your passenger kick panel, ignition on, push the white button-if the red light flashes this means u have a problem with your actuator(motor assembley)if the red light stays bright --trouble with processor board, --yes u can rebuild if your good at taking the motor assy apart- i went to the junk yard years back n got myself processor out of another bronco-looked for the actuator to no avail--- many people have trouble with these good luck TR

 

thanks for the help guys. ill post results here in a few mins. i have to wait until im at work to have time to look at it. something doesnt seem right about that lol

 

Flashing light! Ok, now i know what direction to go. Paticular brand i should get?

 

Tx ff i try to always stay with name brand products( dealer) just my .02 cents TR

 

Don't rush out and start throwing parts at it.

Follow this guide:
1989 Ford Truck F 250 4WD Pickup V8-460 7.5L - Diagnosis of the Electric Shift 4 X 4

Your module is probably alright, many folks confuse what the self test means and its not all inclusive anyway. A flashing light indicates your module is probably O.K.

A solid light can be an indicator that your module needs to be replaced.

I think you will find your problem to be elsewhere in the system.

If you determine your module is at fault or suspect it is....I have a Ford OEM (used) module that is known to be good.

Good luck with your project,

Flint.