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1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

97 Expy E.B. 4wd switch is not working

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Old Jul 12, 2004 | 04:54 PM
  #1  
dmihin's Avatar
dmihin
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Question 97 Expy E.B. 4wd switch is not working

Hey Everyone, got a 97 Expy that doesn't want to shift into 4wd, usually when I switch to 4wd there is a clicking sound when shifting but now, nothing. I checked all the fuses inside the cab and under the hood, all are good, does anyone know if there is a relay that runs this switch, the manual does not list it under any relays. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2004 | 05:30 PM
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the4by4freek
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2 Possibilities.... 1..Bad switch.... 2.. bad shift motor. check your voltage at the motor.... this will eliminate the switch!
 
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Old Jul 13, 2004 | 10:42 PM
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dmihin
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Thanks, I will give it a try and report back
 
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Old Oct 24, 2004 | 09:02 PM
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Cecil Little
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I don't know the fix but I have the same problem. I get around it by disconnecting the neg. battery cable for 15-20 seconds. If this works for you then if you engage the 4WD about once per week it appears to continue to work.
Good Luck
 
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Old Oct 25, 2004 | 11:41 AM
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Potential relay problem

I had a similar problem in my 2000 expedition. There is a relay in front of the steering wheel under the dash (remove dash...) that was the cause of my problem. The switch tested good, but there was no signal getting to the trans. I "coaxed" the relay into working w/the back of a screwdriver, and then got a new one from Ford.

Don't know if it's located in the same spot on your truck, though...

Good luck,
Rick
 
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Old Nov 1, 2004 | 11:25 PM
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johnsteph515
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you might want to check inside the switch itself cause ford likes to put alot of the electric grease in them and once i cleaned some of it up it worked fine now. good luck with yours.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 02:10 PM
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shellback86
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I had the EXACT same problem on my 98 and took it to Ford. Here's what you need to do. Disconnect your battery for a couple of minutes to reset your computer. After you reconnect it, try shifting to 4Hi and 4Lo.

If it shifts, it's not your dash switch, vaccum lines, GEM, or fuse/relays. It will be your shift motor on the transfer case which is $300-$400 from Ford(labor not included). Probably much cheaper from a third party. This is a part you can install yourself if you were inclined.

If it doesn't shift..... Hmmm. Then check vaccum lines and fuse/relays. A dash switch from Ford is $20 and takes about 5 minutes to install.
 
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