2002 Exlplorer not shifting to 4x4 from dash

[2002joe]

Hey guys, my first post, but i'm wondering if you all can point me in the right direction before i spend tons of dough at the dealer. The truck just wont shift into the 4x4 high setting from the dash. It does have the control track, which isn't engaged now either......seems to me like a some kind of switch or something is bad.........any suggs?
Thanks ahead of time for any ideas.....

Joe

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Are there any blinking lights on the dash? It could be computer controled, or the electronic shift motor. The motors on older explorers was cleanable, not sure about new ones. New shift motors are at least $200. The t-case may just need a good smack with the BFH.

 

[2002joe]

no flashing lights on the dash......and i haven't crawled underneath the thing yet to see if there's anything loose or dangling..I had a 1993 Explorer that kind of did the same thing to me and i think it ended up being some kind of motor also.......i did buy an extended warranty on the thing, i'm hoping it covers it...

Joe

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

This is a drivetrain item, so it should be warranty.

 

[2002joe]

shift motor or control motor...

i took my explorer in to have them look at the thing, and it is the control module or shift motor. they want like $300 for the part and $300 for labor. anyone know who might have the best price other than Ford parts network?

thanks.
joe

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

300 sounds about right for the part, 300 for labor is a rip off!!

 

[2002joe]

thanks for your input v8boat. What it actually came down to, was the central timer module. The service guy told me that it is located somewhere inside the transfer case housing and that its just an electronic switch of some type. Anyways the tech estimated 3 hours of his time to replace the frickin thing. So, i'm getting the thing back and having a Ford Tech friend help me get the part and get it installed. Nothing like a damn $400 bill to replace a damn japanese switch. I'm not too excited about the 4x4 on the fly anymore.......manual hubs work just fine....

Joe

 

[Chuck S]

Did you get your 4x4 fixed? Mine stopped working this week...... '02 XLT.

-- Chuck

 

[2002joe]

Yes i did get it fixed and it was unbelievable the amount of bs i got from the service dept at the dealer. It was just a control module that is located behind the glove box, and it took a total of 15 min to get the old one out and the new one in. The part was made by Motorola.

I was quoted $250 by the service dept and 3.5 hours install, and i payed $140 for it.

joe

 

[Chuck S]

Joe --

Thanks for the reply!

My transfer case is fixed as well. I washed the truck.

No kidding!

The truck was salt encrusted from a couple of months road salt. Normal quickie external car wash weekly, but the transfer still cut out about 10 days ago. Going to a wedding I had a $12 wash with "chassis bath" and the transfer came out working! I've no idea how this worked or if it was just coincidence. The Ford gods move in mysterious ways....

Thanks for the tip on where the module is, I tested it moments ago and can hear it click as it goes into 4x4 Low.

-- Chucj

 

[murphylee]

where did you get that 4x4 module for 140. Mine has been out for like 6 months but I just can't bring myself to pay 250 for it.

 

[anothergoatherd]

Sorry to bring back such an old thread, but I need one too. The same thing has happend to a girl i know. No 4x4, no lights on the dash flashing, nothing. I hope its as easy as changing the module.

 

[2002joe]

Module behind the glove box

Just thought i'd mention after a year or so, that its still working great. I found a buddy that was a tech for Ford and he got me the part for his cost. Which was the $140.

joe