2006 Explorer wont disengage 4x4 auto

[Curtis]

My dads 06 Explorer wont come out of 4x4 hi if it turns on automatically. He has to put it in 4x4 hi, then press 4x4 auto to get back to 2wd.
Its a southern truck, zero rust, 70k miles, very well taken care of.

For example
If the road is wet, or any wheel slip detected, 4x4 auto kicks in.
You can feel and here its in 4x4 mode.

Problem is it stays in that mode and wont go back to 2wd automatically
You have to do 1 of 2 things to get back to 2wd.
1 - turn the truck off and on again
2 - put it in 4x4 hi, then back to 4x4 auto

I searched the forum and dont find any similar situations

Any ideas?

 

[michael loibl]

my 06 eddie bauer does the same thing. It has for a few months now and has about 60,000 miles now. I usualy do the 4 HI then AUTO sequence like u said and it always goes back. Someone suggested that my tires being of varrying tread depth could contribute to the non disengaging. 3 are just about bald originals and one rear is about half depth. I will be replacing all 4 soon and will update if that makes any difference.

 

[Gene3169]

did getting new tires take care of your full wheel drive problem