MET-TECH
New Member
- Joined
- March 15, 2013
- Messages
- 1
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- 0
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2001 Ford Explorer
Hello.
2001 Ford Explorer 4.0, 4x4, 4 door
Someone selected 4-Low and the Explorer hasn't been right since. I was there, but stood outside the Explorer. I think she selected 4-Low while in Neutral.
The Explorer was then not driven for about a week.
When I drove it, it was slow and noisey. I realised that it was driving in 4-Low. The switch was in the Auto position. The 4WD light was flickering on/off. I tried reversing, selecting another mode, reselecting Auto, but could not disengage 4-Low.
We brought the Explorer into the workshop and lifted it on the 2 post lift.
First we tried changing the transfer case's electric motor. This made no improvement.
While we had the motor removed from the TC, I was surprised, and impressed, to see the modes embossed into the TC housing. I think it had N, Low, and High. We could manually turn the shaft to simulate the electric motor.
When in mode N : engine turned no wheels
Low and High : engine turned all wheels
We decided to check inside the TC to learn whether anything was obviously broken. We removed the TC and disassembled it, but could not see anything obviously worn out or broken - but we are not transmission and TC experts.
We reassembled the TC, and installed a new transmission to TC gasket, bought from the local Ford dealership.
Having reinstalled the TC, the vehicle still behaved the same with these motor shaft positions :
N : engine turned no wheels
High and Low : engine turned all wheels
The switch itself remained in the Auto position during testing.
At this point I realised that with all 4 wheels off of the floor, the Explorer may behave in 4 wheel drive mode because the rear wheels would appear to be slipping. I decided that we needed to test the Explorer on the ground instead.
Outside, the Explorer is faster than before, but still in 4 wheel drive. This leads me to suspect that it is now stuck in 4-High. This is an improvement, but not what I want.
Lastly we replaced the dashboard switch for Auto / 4-High / 4 Low. We have small salvage yard, so a lot of used parts available. Replacement of the switch made no difference.
What to do next ?
What might our problem be ? Solenoid ? Sensor ?
Thank you for reading that long story.
Stark
2001 Ford Explorer 4.0, 4x4, 4 door
Someone selected 4-Low and the Explorer hasn't been right since. I was there, but stood outside the Explorer. I think she selected 4-Low while in Neutral.
The Explorer was then not driven for about a week.
When I drove it, it was slow and noisey. I realised that it was driving in 4-Low. The switch was in the Auto position. The 4WD light was flickering on/off. I tried reversing, selecting another mode, reselecting Auto, but could not disengage 4-Low.
We brought the Explorer into the workshop and lifted it on the 2 post lift.
First we tried changing the transfer case's electric motor. This made no improvement.
While we had the motor removed from the TC, I was surprised, and impressed, to see the modes embossed into the TC housing. I think it had N, Low, and High. We could manually turn the shaft to simulate the electric motor.
When in mode N : engine turned no wheels
Low and High : engine turned all wheels
We decided to check inside the TC to learn whether anything was obviously broken. We removed the TC and disassembled it, but could not see anything obviously worn out or broken - but we are not transmission and TC experts.
We reassembled the TC, and installed a new transmission to TC gasket, bought from the local Ford dealership.
Having reinstalled the TC, the vehicle still behaved the same with these motor shaft positions :
N : engine turned no wheels
High and Low : engine turned all wheels
The switch itself remained in the Auto position during testing.
At this point I realised that with all 4 wheels off of the floor, the Explorer may behave in 4 wheel drive mode because the rear wheels would appear to be slipping. I decided that we needed to test the Explorer on the ground instead.
Outside, the Explorer is faster than before, but still in 4 wheel drive. This leads me to suspect that it is now stuck in 4-High. This is an improvement, but not what I want.
Lastly we replaced the dashboard switch for Auto / 4-High / 4 Low. We have small salvage yard, so a lot of used parts available. Replacement of the switch made no difference.
What to do next ?
What might our problem be ? Solenoid ? Sensor ?
Thank you for reading that long story.
Stark
