06 Ranger XLT was semi stuck in 4wdL / advice needed

[Jan Siegrist]

Greetings from Rhode Island, newbie here

I've an 06 4x4 Ranger XLT which has been a great truck until recently.
Recently when putting in 4wdH, my hand slipped and put it in 4wdL - it has been a nightmare since.
I immediately put it in 4wdH, when attempting to put the thing in reverse it made a whirring gear noise but did not move. I then placed it back in 2wdH. At this point no lights of any kind show on the dash but the truck did drive in 2wdH so I was able to make it home. After some deliberation and talking to a friend, he suggested I try placing it in 4wdL, driving it a bit and then attempting 2wdH - this was a big mistake, it stayed in 4wdL.

After reading posts here on rebuilding the transfer case shift motor and other posts on the internet, I suspect the problem is in the shift motor particularly in the position sensors. I have not removed the motor yet but it looks to be in terrible condition. I see Dorman replacements on Amazon for under $ 135. Ford wants $ 475. for this item.

Other info, in the 8 years I've owned this truck, I've never before used 4wdL, frankly once this is fixed I don't plan on ever using 4wdL.

Has anyone out there used the Dorman product [600-931] with success?

Anyone know if products purchased from Amazon are the same as say AutoZone?

AZ wants 241.99, where Amazon is 131.78 (with free 2 day free shipping - I'm a prime customer)
Both are the Dorman 600-931

To the moderator - am I posting this in the right place?

Thanks in advance.
Jan

 

[Rick]

The products should be exactly the same. I haven't had any issue buying auto parts on Amazon. I've bought some Dorman fuel system components off of Amazon recently and they were exactly as described.

 

[RangerX]

Usually it’s the little bump stop that disintergrates with age, although I do not know if your year still uses the same motor as older models.
It a 25 cent fix if that’s what it is, might be worth the time to take it apart and see.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Jan Siegrist]

Ok, thanks for the info. I would attempt to fix the old one but it is seriously rusted and corroded. For the bucks I'm going to go with a replacement from Amazon - stay tuned...

Thanks again
Jan

 

[410Fortune]

You do know that to get in and out of 4 low range you must be stopped with your foot on the brake and transmission in Neutral (Not park)
If it is a stick shift then you must press in the clutch


This may be the whole reason the truck was stuck in Low and did not shift back to 4hi?

 

[Jan Siegrist]

Greetings everyone, the issue turned out to be the transfer-case shift motor. I opted to replace it with the Dorman unit I purchased on Amazon for $ 143. in change. Everything now works as expected.
Thanks to all for the input.
Jan