2000 explorer sticks in 4 wheel low

jarged · 12-14-2009, 01:25 PM

2000 EXPLORER XLS OCCASIONALLY STICKS IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND WILL NOT COME OUT. i KNOW THE PROCEDURE OF HAVING TO HAVE THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH ENGAGED AND IT WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES NOT.
tHIS SEEMS TO BE A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM - ANY IDEAS WHAT IS CAUSING IT ?

KPT · 12-14-2009, 03:14 PM

Shift motor. There is a thread somewhere on cleaning it or more specially the contacts that tell the GEM what position the motor is in.

jarged · 12-15-2009, 05:13 AM

Thanks for the reply.
I could not find the link or reply you referenced, but I did take the sift motor off and the outer cover that contains the electronics is a sealed unit and not serviceable.
Any other ideas ?

*gijoecam* · 12-15-2009, 01:47 PM

Without being able to see what the GEM is seeing in terms of inputs and outputs, it's a guessing game at best. Could be an intermittent lack of signal from the neutral safety switch or the brake on-off switch, could be a bad motor, could be a bad switch a $3 relay.... It's tough to guess where the problem lies. 5 minutes with an NGS or WDS scanner at a dealership would pin the problem down.

Now, in general, I would expect that if the system was TRYING to get the case back into high range and failing, it would flash a trouble code. I would lean towards the system not trying in the first place, and that probably eliminates a few things, like the motor itself and the relays (but again, no way to know for sure without a good scanner and a knowledgable tech).

jarged · 12-15-2009, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the reply.
The problem is very intermittent, so trying to catch it on the scan tool is almost impossible at this point.
After what I have been reading I am thinking it has to do with the shift motor and not knowing what position it is in from time to time. I will pull it apart again and take another look - it seems to make the most sense.
Most of the time it works - in fact I can have the key in the on position (KOEO), depress the clutch and brake and place the selector dial from auto to 4 high and to 4 low and hear rthe shift motor working just fine. There is no signs of any strain on the motor at all.
I will see what happens tonight and try to re-post what I found.
Thanks !

12-14-2009, 01:25 PM	#1
jarged Wannabe Elite Explorer Illinois 2000 explorer xls 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	2000 explorer sticks in 4 wheel low 2000 EXPLORER XLS OCCASIONALLY STICKS IN 4 WHEEL LOW AND WILL NOT COME OUT. i KNOW THE PROCEDURE OF HAVING TO HAVE THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH ENGAGED AND IT WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES NOT. tHIS SEEMS TO BE A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM - ANY IDEAS WHAT IS CAUSING IT ?

12-15-2009, 01:47 PM	#4
gijoecam Village Idiot Trenton, MI 98 ExSport, '00 F-150 Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 8,345 Vehicle Specs	Without being able to see what the GEM is seeing in terms of inputs and outputs, it's a guessing game at best. Could be an intermittent lack of signal from the neutral safety switch or the brake on-off switch, could be a bad motor, could be a bad switch a $3 relay.... It's tough to guess where the problem lies. 5 minutes with an NGS or WDS scanner at a dealership would pin the problem down. Now, in general, I would expect that if the system was TRYING to get the case back into high range and failing, it would flash a trouble code. I would lean towards the system not trying in the first place, and that probably eliminates a few things, like the motor itself and the relays (but again, no way to know for sure without a good scanner and a knowledgable tech). __________________ -98 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, K&N drop-in, LEMON in progress! -'00 F-150, mucho mods *"We need to allow Darwinism take it's course and let the idiots weed themselves out of existance."* ~ Rick Horwitz We must believe in free will — we have no choice. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer I'm not smart, just a resourceful idiot. ~ Me

12-14-2009, 03:14 PM	#2
KPT Wannabe Elite Explorer NC '95 XL 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,584 Vehicle Specs	Shift motor. There is a thread somewhere on cleaning it or more specially the contacts that tell the GEM what position the motor is in.

12-15-2009, 05:13 AM	#3
jarged Wannabe Elite Explorer Illinois 2000 explorer xls 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the reply. I could not find the link or reply you referenced, but I did take the sift motor off and the outer cover that contains the electronics is a sealed unit and not serviceable. Any other ideas ?

12-15-2009, 02:44 PM	#5
jarged Wannabe Elite Explorer Illinois 2000 explorer xls 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the reply. The problem is very intermittent, so trying to catch it on the scan tool is almost impossible at this point. After what I have been reading I am thinking it has to do with the shift motor and not knowing what position it is in from time to time. I will pull it apart again and take another look - it seems to make the most sense. Most of the time it works - in fact I can have the key in the on position (KOEO), depress the clutch and brake and place the selector dial from auto to 4 high and to 4 low and hear rthe shift motor working just fine. There is no signs of any strain on the motor at all. I will see what happens tonight and try to re-post what I found. Thanks !