95-97 Auto 4x4

JoshC · February 17, 2001

Does any one know how to by-pass the auto 4x4 on the 95-97 OHV. I hate having the auto kick in everytime you round a corner in the rain. I just want to beable to switch it in and out without having to worry about it doing it automatically, and I don't know if anyone else has thought about it, but it doesn't sound healthy to me when that kicks in, that's gotta be hard on the gears or something up front. Thanks in advance, happy trailes!

yob_yeknom · February 18, 2001

Do you have a 2wd setting? My '95 does, but I can't remember what year they got rid of that. You don't want it in 4 high when it is only raining anyways.
If you don't have a 2wd setting, don't worry about the 4wd auto. It goes into 2wd at speeds over 35mph. Plus, if you read up a little bit on how the auto setting works, you'll see that it's not hard on anything up front. Everythings is already turning, it just gets more power up front when the rear slips. Search for Control Trac and someone here has posted a very good explanation of how the system works.
BTW, the rear wheels shouldn't be spinning to kick in the auto 4wd unless you're really gassing it in the turns anyways.

01EB5.0 · February 18, 2001

I believe you mean the 97-01 explorer. The 95/96 has a 2WD setting, while in 97 they came out aith the auto/high/low settings. Hopefully this helps to clear things up.

JoshC · February 18, 2001

Yeah, i guess it is the 97 and up. I didn't know that the 95,6 had a setting for 2wd. Thanks for the info, you all cleared something up for me.

Be good, happy trailes.

01EB5.0 · February 18, 2001

I wonder if you can put a switch under your dash where you could flip it and turn off all power to the front axle. It may work, but i do not know that system so I can't say for sure.

mav · February 21, 2001

I messed with it and got it to work!

I've wondered about this for a long time. Actually, ever since I had my '98 Exploder. It's funny I saw this post tonight, because I just figured out how to do it. It took me an hour to get it right, but it's very simple actually and it makes perfect sense. The TOD (Torque on Demand) Borg Warner transfer case in the '98+ Exploders works with 2 speed sensors. One in the front, and one in the rear. As long as the GEM gets the same reading from both sensors the transfer case does not engage. To disable it, simply remove wires 8 and 6 on the Electric Shift Motor Transfer Case harness. These are the Sensor Signal Returns for the front (8) and rear (6). I went to Ford earlier today, and the guy was nice enough to copy 4 pages out of wiring manual. If any one is interested in more details, let me know...

Jefe · February 22, 2001

And this rewireing doesn't disable ABS? I thought the 4x4 system and ABS used the same speed sensors.

mav · February 22, 2001

Those two wires are just the Speed Sensor Signal Returns. All they do is send a signal to the transfer case, and tell it to engage. Nothing more. With these two wires disconnected, the transfer case will never get the signal to engage when your rear wheels lose traction. I did it to my truck, and it accelerates alot better now. I don't lose half my power to the front, because the Auto 4WD doesn't enage anymore. I'm working on wiring a switch in, so I can engage and disengage the Auto mode on the fly. It kinda sucks not having the Auto 4WD when it rains...

Robert · February 22, 2001

Originally posted by Jefe
And this rewireing doesn't disable ABS? I thought the 4x4 system and ABS used the same speed sensors.

No, the Control Trac uses two speed sensors in the trasnfer case to monitor the speed differences between the front and rear driveshafts. The ABS uses a speed sensor on each front wheel and one in the rear differential.

Jefe · February 22, 2001

Ok, In that case it sounds like a good, easy mod. . .

Wire a nice switch in-line there and now you have 2wd, Auto 4wd, 4wd HI, and 4wd LO. . .all at the tip of your fingers, and without getting out of the truck.

JoshC · February 23, 2001

Thanks for all the reply's. I noticed that some of you that are replying have 98+'s. Now some of us, like me, can't affored the nice stuff!!! (j/k) anyways, is the wiring the same for the 97 and below. I like the thought of taking out 2 wires and getting ride of it. If you do that then the swith labeled "4x4 auto" is now 2wd? and the rest is still the same? It sounds great but i don't want to take a chance like that and end up having to buy a new wiring harness or possible the 4x4 motor. Thanks again, happy trailes!

mav · February 23, 2001

If the '97 has the TOD transfer case, which it does if it has Auto 4WD then the wiring should be the same. I noticed that the 4High ang 4Low lights on the dash blink three times every 5 to 10 minutes. I think if I pull wires 3 and 7, which are the Speed Sensor Power wires that might fix that problem. We'll see...

JoshC · February 25, 2001

Thanks a bunch, you all have been a big help!

Happy trailes!

Sethro · February 27, 2001

Okay, so where is this "Electric Shift Motor Transfer Case harness" located...

mav · February 28, 2001

I'll take a picture later this week and post it up, along with the wiring diagram...

Sethro · March 12, 2001

Hey Mav, I was wondering if you were still gonna post that diagram and maybe some more detail. Still very interested...

mav · March 12, 2001

Sorry guys, I've been really busy lately... Anyways, here are the pics I promised. Pay close attention to 34-4. This is the most important one. Wiring harness C201 is the key. Remove wires 6 and 8 from the harness.... Let me know if anyone still has any questions!

Sethro · March 13, 2001

Looks pretty easy mav, I just need to know where on my explorer is the Electric Shift Motor Transfer Case harness. I have no clue.

mav · March 13, 2001

It's on the side of the transfer case facing the rear of the Exploder. You need to disconnect the harness and remove the red clip in between the connector pins. Just pull it out. Then pry the back cover of the harness off. Be careful not to break it. Then with needle nose pliars, push pins number 6 and 8 out of the connector and pull them through from the other side. Replace the red clip and reconnect the harness. Test the 4WD system by shifting it in and out of 4WD Low. I hope this helps...

JoshC · March 13, 2001

Sounds like it would work. IS that the same for a 97? And did you say that your 4x4 lights flash every so often?

Happy trailes!

95-97 Auto 4x4

Only rolled it once honey

Elite Explorer

Only rolled it once honey

Elite Explorer

Well-Known Member

Explorer Addict

Well-Known Member

Explorer Addict

Explorer Addict

Only rolled it once honey

Well-Known Member

Only rolled it once honey

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Only rolled it once honey

Explorer Features

Explorer Features

Similar threads