2001 Sport 4x4 issues

Matt ATO HP · 10-25-2011, 05:35 PM

I just picked up a 2001 Explorer Sport 4x4. Pretty solid truck thus far, but the 4x4 won't engage. When I shift into 4high or 4low the lights on the dash don't come on and there is no change in drivability. I have not gotten the chance to get under the car to see if there is anything I am missing, but I did pull off the dash (I was thinking that it may have just not been connected) and everything seems fine there. I am at a loss! Any help or suggestions would be awesome!!! Thanks in advance.

*albi1cnobi1* · 10-26-2011, 08:07 AM

The first things to look for are blown fuses. Fuse #6 is a 20a maxi fuse in the battery distribution box. Fuse #26 in the fuse panel as well. Second, a common problem with this system is the shift motor. It's bolted to the back of the transfer case. If it wasn't used much and the motor locked up, or the internal stop is bad you'll have an issue. If the fuses are good you can try tapping on the shift motor lightly( read-don't beat it to death) with a hammer. Sometimes that frees it up. If you get a used one from the JY just remember it won't work unless you bolt it to the transfer case. The motor uses the t-case for it's ground.

Matt ATO HP · 10-26-2011, 01:24 PM

It looks like the fuses are in different locations, the ones I checked were 11, 25, and 35 in the fuse panel and 7 and 13 in the battery distribution box (that is the info I got from the ford service manual online). But, point of the story is they are all fine. I am going to be getting under the truck later today to see if I can further eliminate problems.
If the shift motor is frozen and I switch to 4wd, does that mean that the lights will not come on? Like I said, I am going to be playing with it later today to try to get to the bottom of this. It isn't like I need 4wd right now, but it is nice to know that I have it available (and not have to manually get under there to engage it) if the need arises.

*albi1cnobi1* · 10-26-2011, 01:30 PM

Yes, if the motor isn't switching the lights won't work. There is a sensor ring in the round flat area on the end of the shift motor. As the motor moves the sensor ring rotates and contact switches tell the motor when to start, stop and which indicator lights to light up. Right, you have a sport. Fuses are a little different.

Matt ATO HP · 10-26-2011, 01:46 PM

Thanks alot for the help, I am going to get working on it right now!

Matt ATO HP · 10-26-2011, 02:34 PM

So, I tried the tapping trick and that did not seem to make any difference. What might my next steps be?

mtwrench540 · 10-26-2011, 03:28 PM

have some one help. have them put truck in neutral and switch from auto to 4wd and 4wd lo while you listen and feel shift motor on transfer case.

Matt ATO HP · 11-02-2011, 03:21 PM

So, I just got done putting in the new motor... it isn't the problem! Lights still are not coming on and I don't hear any noise when switching into 4x4. Now I am at a loss.

10-25-2011, 05:35 PM	#1
Matt ATO HP Wannabe Elite Explorer Orlando 2001 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	2001 Sport 4x4 issues I just picked up a 2001 Explorer Sport 4x4. Pretty solid truck thus far, but the 4x4 won't engage. When I shift into 4high or 4low the lights on the dash don't come on and there is no change in drivability. I have not gotten the chance to get under the car to see if there is anything I am missing, but I did pull off the dash (I was thinking that it may have just not been connected) and everything seems fine there. I am at a loss! Any help or suggestions would be awesome!!! Thanks in advance.

10-26-2011, 01:30 PM	#4
albi1cnobi1 Elite Mountaineer South Jersey 99 Mountaineer V6 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,264 Vehicle Specs	Yes, if the motor isn't switching the lights won't work. There is a sensor ring in the round flat area on the end of the shift motor. As the motor moves the sensor ring rotates and contact switches tell the motor when to start, stop and which indicator lights to light up. Right, you have a sport. Fuses are a little different. __________________ Al 99 Mountaineer 4.0 SOHC. TT/Warrior Shackles, 2" BL, 32x11.5/15 BFG A/T's, Rancho 5000's, Supplemental HHO Generator(out for cell redesign), Electric Fan Conversion, AVM Manual Lockout Hubs, Dual Battery System, Gibson cat back exhaust. EATC Mod. BW1354 swap, finally done! My 4405 To 1354 Swap Thread Support your own economy, Buy American, all of our jobs depend on it.

10-26-2011, 03:28 PM	#7
mtwrench540 Wannabe Elite Explorer monterey,va 2000 explorer elt Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	4wd have some one help. have them put truck in neutral and switch from auto to 4wd and 4wd lo while you listen and feel shift motor on transfer case.

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10-26-2011, 08:07 AM	#2
albi1cnobi1 Elite Mountaineer South Jersey 99 Mountaineer V6 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,264 Vehicle Specs	The first things to look for are blown fuses. Fuse #6 is a 20a maxi fuse in the battery distribution box. Fuse #26 in the fuse panel as well. Second, a common problem with this system is the shift motor. It's bolted to the back of the transfer case. If it wasn't used much and the motor locked up, or the internal stop is bad you'll have an issue. If the fuses are good you can try tapping on the shift motor lightly( read-don't beat it to death) with a hammer. Sometimes that frees it up. If you get a used one from the JY just remember it won't work unless you bolt it to the transfer case. The motor uses the t-case for it's ground. __________________ Al 99 Mountaineer 4.0 SOHC. TT/Warrior Shackles, 2" BL, 32x11.5/15 BFG A/T's, Rancho 5000's, Supplemental HHO Generator(out for cell redesign), Electric Fan Conversion, AVM Manual Lockout Hubs, Dual Battery System, Gibson cat back exhaust. EATC Mod. BW1354 swap, finally done! My 4405 To 1354 Swap Thread Support your own economy, Buy American, all of our jobs depend on it.

10-26-2011, 01:24 PM	#3
Matt ATO HP Wannabe Elite Explorer Orlando 2001 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	It looks like the fuses are in different locations, the ones I checked were 11, 25, and 35 in the fuse panel and 7 and 13 in the battery distribution box (that is the info I got from the ford service manual online). But, point of the story is they are all fine. I am going to be getting under the truck later today to see if I can further eliminate problems. If the shift motor is frozen and I switch to 4wd, does that mean that the lights will not come on? Like I said, I am going to be playing with it later today to try to get to the bottom of this. It isn't like I need 4wd right now, but it is nice to know that I have it available (and not have to manually get under there to engage it) if the need arises.

10-26-2011, 01:46 PM	#5
Matt ATO HP Wannabe Elite Explorer Orlando 2001 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks alot for the help, I am going to get working on it right now!

10-26-2011, 02:34 PM	#6
Matt ATO HP Wannabe Elite Explorer Orlando 2001 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	So, I tried the tapping trick and that did not seem to make any difference. What might my next steps be?

11-02-2011, 03:21 PM	#8
Matt ATO HP Wannabe Elite Explorer Orlando 2001 Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	So, I just got done putting in the new motor... it isn't the problem! Lights still are not coming on and I don't hear any noise when switching into 4x4. Now I am at a loss.