98 explorer problems | Ford Explorer Forums

  • Register Today It's free!

98 explorer problems

Post number 14 has been selected as best answered.

98exlporerproblems

New Member
Joined
October 5, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
City, State
Franklin NH
Year, Model & Trim Level
1998 ford explorer sport
Hello every, first post on here.
I just picked up an absolute gem last night that hasn't taken a sticker since 2018. I've got a couple problems and questions about it.
1. Won't shift out of 4x4 will shift 4x4 high and low but not 2x4. The light on the dash does change. Can I wire in a remote toggle switch to keep it in 2x4 and have it not shift to 4x4 assuming that's how it works?
2. Clutch disengages with breaks. This is a woods beater and I've tried to do a burnout and it wont because the clutch disengages when I step on the brake. Is there a way to fix that so it doesn't.
Tonight when I start looking at it more I'm sure I'll notice more things and have more questions.
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year or try it out for $5 a month.

Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Hello every, first post on here.
I just picked up an absolute gem last night that hasn't taken a sticker since 2018. I've got a couple problems and questions about it.
1. Won't shift out of 4x4 will shift 4x4 high and low but not 2x4. The light on the dash does change. Can I wire in a remote toggle switch to keep it in 2x4 and have it not shift to 4x4 assuming that's how it works?
2. Clutch disengages with breaks. This is a woods beater and I've tried to do a burnout and it wont because the clutch disengages when I step on the brake. Is there a way to fix that so it doesn't.
Tonight when I start looking at it more I'm sure I'll notice more things and have more questions.
My oil pressure gauge also reads 0 psi. It does have oil in it
 






My oil pressure gauge also reads 0 psi. It does have oil in it
That just a switch. I did a post on replacement.
common failure.

 






My oil pressure gauge also reads 0 psi. It does have oil in it
Hello every, first post on here.
I just picked up an absolute gem last night that hasn't taken a sticker since 2018. I've got a couple problems and questions about it.
1. Won't shift out of 4x4 will shift 4x4 high and low but not 2x4. The light on the dash does change. Can I wire in a remote toggle switch to keep it in 2x4 and have it not shift to 4x4 assuming that's how it works?
2. Clutch disengages with breaks. This is a woods beater and I've tried to do a burnout and it wont because the clutch disengages when I step on the brake. Is there a way to fix that so it doesn't.
Tonight when I start looking at it more I'm sure I'll notice more things and have more questions.
Responses to question!
1. you can remove the shift motor and turn the transfer case shaft to 2 wd. Disconnect connector to shift motor and reinstall it , after moving the motor to 2WD.
2. No comment. You must have a manual transmission.
What engine do you have?
 






So you’re saying that with the switch in AUTO, the 4x4 light stays illuminated?
 






1. you can remove the shift motor and turn the transfer case shaft to 2 wd. Disconnect connector to shift motor and reinstall it , after moving the motor to 2WD.

Does this differ on a manual transmission? If not then AFAIK, since it's a '98, the shift motor only switches it between 4hi and 4low, and being in 4WD with either, depends on the transfer case electromagnetic clutch engaging which it should automatically do in 4low and 4hi but not Auto mode.

If that is the case, the clutch receives 12V on a brown wire from the controller behind the radio. If there isn't 12V on that wire, the transfer case has a problem and the clutch is stuck. If 12V is on that wire, either the controller has a fault or it is getting bad signals indicating wheel slippage. If 12V is present and causing this, a switch could be put on it to stop 4WD engagement, commonly known as the brown wire mod.
 






Tonight when I start looking at it more I'm sure I'll notice more things and have more questions.
Welcome to the forum!

Nothing wrong with asking questions, but most common problems have already been encountered and have multiple existing topics which can be found with a forum search, with more information available than you might get in any one new topic.
 






Responses to question!
1. you can remove the shift motor and turn the transfer case shaft to 2 wd. Disconnect connector to shift motor and reinstall it , after moving the motor to 2WD.
2. No comment. You must have a manual transmission.
What engine do you have?
I'll give it a try, where is the motor located on the t-case? I do have a manual 5 spd
its a v6 4.0 i think
 












Does this differ on a manual transmission? If not then AFAIK, since it's a '98, the shift motor only switches it between 4hi and 4low, and being in 4WD with either, depends on the transfer case electromagnetic clutch engaging which it should automatically do in 4low and 4hi but not Auto mode.

If that is the case, the clutch receives 12V on a brown wire from the controller behind the radio. If there isn't 12V on that wire, the transfer case has a problem and the clutch is stuck. If 12V is on that wire, either the controller has a fault or it is getting bad signals indicating wheel slippage. If 12V is present and causing this, a switch could be put on it to stop 4WD engagement, commonly known as the brown wire mod.
I want to be able to have it in 2wd to do burnouts then without getting out of the car shift to 4wd hi/lo. Would it be smarter to find the sensors that detect when the wheels spins and cut the wire or bypass it?
 






Pulling the shift motor off won’t help you. You do not have a “2wd” position to select.

Read up on the brown wire mod. That’ll tell you if you have a signal issue or a clutch issue.
 






I'll give it a try, where is the motor located on the t-case? I do have a manual 5 spd
its a v6 4.0 i think
Don't know about manual , but the motor is mounted on the rear Center of the transfer case.
 






Brown wire mod
 






Yes, if this is just about doing burnouts then you want the brown wire mod. That wire (easiest access) is at the 4WD control module behind the radio. Just cut it and put a switch in series to turn off and on, power to the 4WD clutch in the transfer case.

Try not to roll it over, these have a narrow track width for their high center of gravity.
 






Don't know about manual , but the motor is mounted on the rear Center of the transfer case.
Just a note: 2 or 3 wires come from inside the transfer case DO NOT CUT them.
Make s note were they are on the connector. The a pin holder inside the connector, remove the retainer and then remove the pins from the connector. The wires will be loose( individually)
 






Featured Content

Back
Top