1997 Ford Ranger XL Transfercase Issue

[JDMartinez89]

Hi,
I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XL Standard 4X4. The issue I am having is that my 4WD light is turned on and will not turn off. I have a manual shift for my 4WD so i have shifted that back and forth to see if i could get to turn off and i have had no luck. My understanding is that if that light is on my 4WD is engaged. I do however have lock out hubs so at least im not burning up gas. I'm thinking that something may be wrong with the linkage on the shifter, but i may be wrong. If anyone would have some ideas on my problem would be i would be very thankful.

 

[rickybobby]

sounds about right, but to be sure if its really stuck in 4wd, lock the hubs and turn sharp on WET pavement. if it hops or binds its stuck in 4wd, if not the light circuit has a problem

 

[JDMartinez89]

Yeah does that. My shifter says 2WD, but I can lock my hubs in and i have 4WD. Is there a fix for getting the transfer case to disengage? Or does my problem lay with in the shifter itself as far as linkage goes.

 

[RangerX]

If you have a manual shift for the 4WD, why worry about the light? If you have pushbutton 4WD, there's a thread here on how to fix it.

 

[JDMartinez89]

Well it is not that im worried about it. It's the fact that there a issue though it may be small i would like to correct it if possible. I'm trying to figure out why my shifter says 2WD but i can lock my hubs in and it be in 4WD. It still seems that something is incorrect about that.

 

[rickybobby]

check for worn bushings and other components

 

[Scott B.]

Hi,
I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XL Standard 4X4. The issue I am having is that my 4WD light is turned on and will not turn off. I have a manual shift for my 4WD so i have shifted that back and forth to see if i could get to turn off and i have had no luck. My understanding is that if that light is on my 4WD is engaged. I do however have lock out hubs so at least im not burning up gas. I'm thinking that something may be wrong with the linkage on the shifter, but i may be wrong. If anyone would have some ideas on my problem would be i would be very thankful.

If you have a manual shifter, and the shift lever is all the way forward (in the 2WD position) your transfer case is NOT in 4WD.

The first thing I would check is the contact switch and wiring which feed the 4WD light on the dash. I believe the switch is mounted to the transfer case or shift lever assembly.

 

[Scott B.]

Yeah does that. My shifter says 2WD, but I can lock my hubs in and i have 4WD. Is there a fix for getting the transfer case to disengage? Or does my problem lay with in the shifter itself as far as linkage goes.

An easy test is to unlock both hubs (put in "Free"), put the transfer case in 2WD, and crawl under the truck and see if you can turn the front driveshaft. As long as you are in 2WD, the shaft will rotate freely.

 

[Scott B.]

sounds about right, but to be sure if its really stuck in 4wd, lock the hubs and turn sharp on WET pavement. if it hops or binds its stuck in 4wd, if not the light circuit has a problem

While this will verify whether or not you are in 4WD, it is also a good way to snap a u-joint...

 

[rwenzing]

I have a manual shift for my 4WD so i have shifted that back and forth to see if i could get to turn off and i have had no luck. My understanding is that if that light is on my 4WD is engaged.

The 4x4 indicator switches used in various Borg Warner manual transfer cases are known for sticking and keeping one or both lights illuminated incorrectly. This definitely can happen even when the transfer case is fully in 2WD mode.

 

[4x4junkie]

If you have a manual shifter, and the shift lever is all the way forward (in the 2WD position) your transfer case is NOT in 4WD.

It could be if the shifter isn't aligned correctly.

Like was said, get under there and see if the driveshaft turns freely. If not, you may just need to adjust the shifter (two bolts on the left side of the transmission, one large, one small).