1998 Explorer EB Won't Shift 2H-4H-4L

[mikey7]

That all makes sense. Should the TC shift-shaft turn/shift like any other tranny, even a lawnmower ? Or is the shift-shaft spring loaded so w/o the shift-motor, it returns back to 4 IIRC ? What is making it feel spring loaded ? maybe an internal shift fork that is spring loaded so it doesn't break on a 'hard shift' ? That would make sense. Many things in mechanics are spring loaded to take the sharp shock out of them.

I'm thinking it is stuck. What to do next ? Take off the F drive shaft so the TC doesn't become locked up ?

 

[mikey7]

The dash selector says Auto-4WD-2WD IIRC. I'm sure the 1st one is Auto.
This is a 98 EB version, V6.

 

[mikey7]

The selector says Auto-4WD-2WD IIRC. The 1st one is definitely Auto.
It's a 98 EB version, V6.

Sorry, reloaded and the prior msg didn't appear. And now i can't delete my own post. More Automatic mode

 

[Mbrooks420]

If it has auto it’s either 2hi/4auto/4low or 4 auto/4high/4low

 

[Mbrooks420]

If it’s auto there should be no shift motor action between the high ranges. Only the shift of the planetaries for low.

 

[mikey7]

Ok, I had to double-check.
Your 2nd guess.
It says AUTO-4H-4L

 

[Mbrooks420]

there’s only high and low range then, not 3 positions in the t case. It’s always in 4wd. You can cut the brown wire (easy to find under the drivers seat.) or pull the front shaft.

 

[mikey7]

But it seems clear that the markings on the TC say; 4 (9oclock) N (6oclock) 2 (at 12)
Definetely 3 positions marked.
That N might be a II, hard for me to see under the car.
One thing that is also clear, is that there is a 270 degree semi-circle etched in, from 9oclock to 12. That circle does not go on the 90 degree quadrant from 9 to 12.
I have read from posts long ago that I might get it to shift if I get under it and shift it while it's running in P or N, rocking it back and forth.

 

[C420sailor]

Make sure you don’t get run over while under there

 

[Mbrooks420]

It’s N. These had a kit you could add to put the case in neutral so you could flat tow behind an RV.

Unless it’s in low, I don’t believe there’s anything to shift. It’s always in 4wd. There’s an electric clutch somewhat like an AC clutch.

There’s no dash indicator?

 

[mikey7]

Where did my other posts go ? I posted more than the above.

Again, the selector says Auto 4High 4Low
The TC has 3 positions on it;
9oclock - 4
6oclock - N
12 - 2

 

[Mbrooks420]

There’s only two positions, high and low.

 

[Mbrooks420]

In 4 auto, power is sending t to the rear axle only. Front drive is completely live. Transfer case is live. The disconnect is an electromagnetic clutch. When the speed sensors detect a slippage between the front and rear driveshaft the clutch gets cycled on and off until the driveshafts are spinning the same speed.

In 4 high the clutch is always powered. The front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed.

In 4 low, it functions the same as high, except with a 2.5:1 reduction.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I think we need to take a step back.

Why do you think there’s an issue with the transfer case at all?

 

[mikey7]

Make sure you don’t get run over while under there

lol

I think we need to take a step back.

Why do you think there’s an issue with the transfer case at all?

There is a LOT of noise coming from ? I think it's coming from the F differential, but it also seems to be stuck in 4WD. The computer is fried. Windows, wipers, etc don't work. If we can make it all manual, that will be best.

 

[Mbrooks420]

If the computer that controls it is bad you may as remove the front driveshaft. If the front differential is making noise is probably going to need opened up and repaired. You can test the brown wire for power. It shouldn’t have 12v allied all the time.

 

[C420sailor]

Additionally, if it’s stuck in 4H, that’s an electronics issue, not a shift motor issue. Dicking with the selector in the transfer case isn’t going to fix that.

Not sure if the GEM controls the duty cycle of the 4H clutch or PCM? Anyone? If you have a computer failure of sorts, it makes sense that it may also be causing your 4H issue

 

[Mbrooks420]

2nd gen issues? Try this first!

Sometimes a gremlin can be caused by the smallest thing. There are 2 large wire bundle connectors on the firewall. Both are held tight with a 10mm bolt. Any bad connection in either plug can cause just about any issue. from bad transmission shifting, bad o2 sensor readings, no start, no...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[410Fortune]

Did you check the fuses?

In 98 the gem module is the 4wd control module

First thing to do it disconnect the battery for a few minutes and then try shifting the t case again, this resets the ESOF system and many times will have your t case shift
Motor
Working again

Second would be to check all fuses as the gem module and other electrics you are having issues with have circuits protected by fuses

Third try the 4hi to 4low shift again but this time with foot on brake and truck in neutral
Sometimes doing the 4 low shift will free up a stuck motor.

Lastly try tapping on the side of the motor with a mallet while putting the truck in the 4 auto position.

If none of these things work and the wiring to the motor checks out 9 times out of 10 the shift motor simply needs rebuilt or replaced
or your control trac transfer case has failed, which happens quite a bit on these older rigs.. there are nylon guide inside that wear out.

 

[C420sailor]

Yeah if you’re also having window/wiper/etc issues, I’d take a good look at the GEM