Locking hubs
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Locking hubs
I have a 1999 Ranger 4x4. My 4wd does not engage when I turn the switch to 4wd lo or 4wd hi. The lights on the dash flash on and off. I disconnected the battery and now the lights are clear. But if I try again to engage it, the lights return. I feel I have a vacuum issue but would like to know more about locking hubs. If I convert them over, how do I know that my system will work? There has to be something else that changes from 4wd lo to 4wd hi. How do I check to see if this is working properly.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
Well, since no one else replied, maybe this will get things going.
You need to do some troubleshooting and it would help immensely if you had the factory documentation. For the PV hubs, see here: Ford Ranger How To: Troubleshoot/Fix Your PVH Hubs (1998-2000)
If the problem isn't related to the hubs, it could be related to the transfer case.
There are some interlocks to shift from 4WD HI to 4WD LO - things like foot on the brake, in PARK or NEUTRAL, stopped, clutch in, etc depending on your truck's configuration. Check the owner's manual to make sure you're doing it right.
Frequently (but not always so don't go throw parts at it) the problem with shifting from 4HI to 4LO is the transfer case motor. It dies from lack of use. Corrosion is an issue.
Besides that, there are a number of other things involved - the 4WD switch, a relay, the GEM, wiring, speed sensors, brake pedal switch and wiring.
Your best bet is to get the EVTM to see what's in the circuit and how to troubleshoot.
Probably not the answer you wanted. There are number of things involved so you can't tell which one(s) is the problem until you investigate.
You need to do some troubleshooting and it would help immensely if you had the factory documentation. For the PV hubs, see here: Ford Ranger How To: Troubleshoot/Fix Your PVH Hubs (1998-2000)
If the problem isn't related to the hubs, it could be related to the transfer case.
There are some interlocks to shift from 4WD HI to 4WD LO - things like foot on the brake, in PARK or NEUTRAL, stopped, clutch in, etc depending on your truck's configuration. Check the owner's manual to make sure you're doing it right.
Frequently (but not always so don't go throw parts at it) the problem with shifting from 4HI to 4LO is the transfer case motor. It dies from lack of use. Corrosion is an issue.
Besides that, there are a number of other things involved - the 4WD switch, a relay, the GEM, wiring, speed sensors, brake pedal switch and wiring.
Your best bet is to get the EVTM to see what's in the circuit and how to troubleshoot.
Probably not the answer you wanted. There are number of things involved so you can't tell which one(s) is the problem until you investigate.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I think it may be the transfer motor. I tapped the motor and it started working. It worked a couple of times and then quit again. I have one being delivered tomorrow. I will know soon s I get it installed. Looks pretty easy so It should not take long. I will post my results tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks for responding.
Tom in SC
Thanks for responding.
Tom in SC
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
I'm not the best person to answer that question. My '91 came with manual hubs and my Explorer has a different setup entirely. All I know is that the PVH setup is problematic wherever they've been used (full-sized trucks, too). Surely someone here has changed over to manual hubs.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Sooner or later, though, the factory hubs will probably fail to operate properly, usually because of a vacuum leak of some sort. Oftentimes the failure occurs when you need 4WD the most.
In my case, several years ago I purchased a set of AVM/Rugged Ridge manual lockers and kept them on hand, even though my factory PVH hubs were working fine. I did this because I had read about the high likelihood of the PVH hubs failing at some point, and so I wanted to be proactive.
Sure enough, a few years later, the factory PVH hubs on my '98 started giving me problems. I swapped in the AVM/Rugged Ridge hubs and didn't miss a beat.
New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Manual hubs
rangers for roughly $115-135 a
set
Manual Locking Hubs Conversion Ford Ranger 98-00 Mazda B3000 01-08 15001.70 Rugged Ridge $115
Last edited by Traxx246; Nov 25, 2015 at 09:46 PM. Reason: Added text
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
