Dealer ripping me off?

I took my truck in this week to have the dealer look at it because it was stuck in 4wd. They called today and said they need to replace a "shift motor and 2 sensors" grand total $655.00. Does this sound right to you guys, I think for a little more I could purchase a more bullet-proof t-case.
Thanks,
Rod

I found the shift motor for $234.99 from our friends at Ford Parts Network. How hard would it be to install? Also anyone know what "sensors" they could be talking about?
Thanks,

If you haven't paid for the work yet, you can do all of the work yourself if you are mechanically inclined. I removed my shift solenoid to clean my speed sensors on my '97. What I would do is buy two speed sensors and not get the shift solenoid yet. You have to remove the solenoid to replace the front sensor and the likelyhood that the solenoid and the speed sensor went out at the same time is very low. The sensors would be much cheaper than the solenoid so that is what I would try without knowing what codes they pulled. Since you have to remove the solenoid to replace the front sensor you will have the practice if the new sensors do not fix the problem. The sensors can be found by looking at the front and rear of your transfer case. They have some wire going to them and are held on with one bolt. The best thing you could do would be get the codes pulled when the lights are flashing. It should tell you whether it is a front or rear speed sensor issue or an engagement issue (solenoid).

Robert,
Is the shift solenoid the same as the shift motor?
Also do you have to drop the whole transfer case to do this? Is this something internally? Or is it on the outside?
Would you happen to have the part number for the 2 speed sensors you are referring to?

I have descriptions on 4 different speed sensors and not sure which one's you are referring to:

F7RZ-7H103-BA OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR
XW4Z-7M183-AA OVERDRIVE DRUM SPEED SENSOR
F5TZ-7M101-A TURBINE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR
E9LZ-9E731-A TRANS SPED SENDOR W/
ELECTRONIC ODOMETER


Thanks!
Rod

Sinjin, the dealer usually puts a 75-100% mark up on parts. If you can, always get them somewhere else. A dealers profits come mostly from the service department.

NONE OF THESE ARE WHAT YOU NEED

Originally posted by Sinjin
Robert,
Is the shift solenoid the same as the shift motor?
Also do you have to drop the whole transfer case to do this? Is this something internally? Or is it on the outside?
Would you happen to have the part number for the 2 speed sensors you are referring to?

I have descriptions on 4 different speed sensors and not sure which one's you are referring to:

F7RZ-7H103-BA OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR
XW4Z-7M183-AA OVERDRIVE DRUM SPEED SENSOR
F5TZ-7M101-A TURBINE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR
E9LZ-9E731-A TRANS SPED SENDOR W/
ELECTRONIC ODOMETER


Thanks!

Rod

Click to expand...

The output shaft speed sensor and turbine shaft speed sensors are in the transmission. They are used to control the lockup of the torque converter. The overdrive drum speed sensor is also in the transmission, it is used for the overdrive. The trans sped sensor is the transmission speed sensor, it is used to operate your speedometer. It is also in the transmission.

The speed sensors are mounted to the front and back of your transfercase. The shift solenoid is the same as the shift motor. It is also exterior to the transfercase. It looks like a small starter (about 4" long x 2" in diameter - round). All can be removed without removing the transfercase. You might get some fluid out of the transfercase when you remove the speed sensors. I did a fluid change on my transfercase when I removed mine so I didn't pay much attention to whether or not I needed to drain the transfercase to remove the sensors. The fluid change actually turned out easier than an oil change.

I sent you two e-mails, one included the testing procedure to determine if a speed sensor is bad as well as several other tests you can do on your solenoid. The other e-mail is the installation and removal instructions for the electronic shift solenoid.

The solenoid is external. The front sensor is XL2Z-7F293-BA and the rear is xL2Z-7F293-AA. The solenoid is listed as XL2Z-7G360-M. This is for my '97 but should apply to your '98. Check to be sure. The sensors should run $31 and $33. The solenoid is listed at $274. One of the steps that I emailed you has you check the resistance of the sensors. You can do that while they are still installed. Use the wiring diagram I sent you to get the correct pins. If the sensors are greater than 1M ohm it is bad. I would check both sensors. If you find a bad one, replace it. You might get lucky and not have to replace the solenoid.

Robert,

WOW, thanks for all the helpful info! Looks like I will be taking on this project. One thing though, I called to see if they had the 2 sensors in stock, when I gave them the part numbers they said that those were for a F150 series pickup truck not the Explorer. Any ideas?
Thanks Again,
Rod

Maybe the F-150 uses the same sensors? I would go down to the parts deparment have have them pull up the '98 Explorer transfercase on their terminal. It will show them the correct parts. The source for the part numbers that I used has always been right on when it comes to part numbers in the past. The part number is probably on each sensor so you could crawl under your Explorer and look at the sensors. Ford usually puts the Ford part number on everything on your vehicle. It would be in white or yellow letters, probably visible without removing anything. The sensors are pretty small though so they might not have had enough room to put the part number on it. Let me know what the part numbers turn out to be. If my source is wrong, I want to update it.

SinJin-

You'll have to le me know how this goes. I have the same issues right now, but mine will come out of 4x4 when i disconnect the battery, not something i like to do since i have an aftermarket radio and i always have to reprogram everything.

I Was told by my uncle who owns a shop i need to replace the shift motor, speed sensors, and ABS sensors. I am guessing that this is all correct, as i go mudding often :-(.

Anyways if and when you do this could you let me know how it went please.

Originally posted by COMMOCOZY
SinJin-
. . .
I Was told by my uncle who owns a shop i need to replace the shift motor, speed sensors, and ABS sensors.
. . .

Click to expand...

One of the above should do the trick. You probably don't need all of them though unless you have multiple problems. Why the ABS sensors? They have nothing to do with your 4-wheel drive. If your ABS is kicking in when it shouldn't need to then maybe you do need new ABS sensors. If they just have mud on them from your muddin then usually a good cleaning with a hose will clear it up. Your rear ABS sensor is mounted in your rear differential, so unless you have mud in there it shouldn't be affected.

Just went through the same thing, 4X4 hi-low lights thread at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=32650

Front wheel sensors, harness and shift motor = $595 parts and labor. Explained in Tech Service Bulletin 99-14-2, JUL 99, 4x4 Indicator Lamp Flashing and 4x4 Inoperative, 4.0L.

Sounds like you can save a bit if you are comfortable and have the time to do the work yourself.

Meantime, driving in 4-auto will probably do no harm, although I was told that it can, extremely rare, "slip" into 4-low on its own - not sure I believe this.

That is the TSB I e-mailed Sinjin. It basically states "The 4X4 indicator lamps may flash on some vehicles. This may be due to oxidation buildup and/or premature wear on the sense plate of the shift motor which can send incorrect signals to the 4X4 controller. Terminals on the transfer case connector may also develop a resistive film, leading to faulty signals to the 4X4 controller.

ACTION
Install a new shift motor and/or speed sensors with new terminal material." The TSB calls for replacing the shift solenoid and/or the speed sensor. At approximately $30 apiece for the sensors, I would rather just replace a $30 sensor if that is all that is needed. I don't have enough faith in the Ford Service department to believe that they have tested all of the parts and determined all of them to be bad.

Originally posted by Robert
.... I don't have enough faith in the Ford Service department to believe that they have tested all of the parts and determined all of them to be bad.

Click to expand...

Ouch.... although I did ask, hoping that I was only looking at sensors.

Gotta trust someone, and calculate what your time is worth.

I have had too much experience with my local dealers pulling ideas out of thin air which didn't come close to solving the problem. For instance, when I had an annoying moaning noise when moving forward at idle one of the suggestions by my local Ford Service Tech was to service the transfercase and clean the speed sensors. That is how I ended up removing and cleaning my sensors. The problem turned out to be my caliper slide pins needed lubricated. I have also heard from many people that have had the dealer replace the shift solenoid for the flashing lights only to have to bring it back to them a couple of weeks later with flashing light again. The second visit usually resulted in replacing the sensors. The TSB says that it could be either the sensors or the solenoid or both. If the dealer automatically assumes that it is both without testing either then they stand a good shot at fixing the problem but at a higher expense to the customer than needed.

Robert,

Could you please email me how to lubricate the slide pins properly. I think I probably really need to do this as my truck has 60,000 on it and it has never been done. Do I have to take things apart or can I lubricate from the outside somehow? What needs to be taken apart if anything?

Thanks,
Mike

Robert said:

I sent you two e-mails, one included the testing procedure to determine if a speed sensor is bad as well as several other tests you can do on your solenoid. The other e-mail is the installation and removal instructions for the electronic shift solenoid.

Click to expand...

I wonder if you could send me this info as well. robertmaring@yahoo.com

Thanks