1998 t/c not disengaging???

[60Ford]

Yesterday my rear tires slipped on wet pavement and front diff locked momentarily like it should on slick roads/pavement. But it seemed to stay engaged, front end has alot of noise coming from it now and wheels 'chatter/studder' when making turns. I lifted all 4 wheels off the ground and with switch in 'Auto 4wd' the front wheels are spinning. If I switch it to 4hi or 4lo I hear it engage/click and all seems fine. I go back to AUTO and it is the same way...I can't continue to drive like this. Any help, thanks.



Tony

 

[PopRichie77]

A properly functioning 4 wheel drive in auto will spin all 4 wheels, when jacked off the ground, this is not a good test. There is a small amount of power to the front wheels all the time. Sounds like the electric clutch in the transfer case is damaged or there is an electrical problem.
Some front axles had a disconnect in the diff. not sure what year, if you have that then the above may not be true. I think this was before 98.

 

[60Ford]

well my front end is stll engaged. If I remove my front driveshaft will car be alright to drive?

 

[Glen4X4]

95 and 96 had a vacuum disconnect axle. Try unhooking your battery for 10 minutes and see if the transfer case resets to 2wd. If not then the transfer case is damaged. Make sure you have fluid in the t-case. Since it is 4wd you can safely remove the front driveshaft.