4 Low won't disengage?! Removed shifter motor - What Next?

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for looking in - 02 Limited that will not come out of 4LO. Tried backing up, disconnecting fuses and 4x4 control module - no luck! Read about manually shifting back by removing shifter motor. I moved the pin to (N - Nuetral) is that the correct position?....but how do I move the slot in the shifter motor to match this new position so I can put it back on. I tried using screwdriver etc and it won't move - do I just leave it off?...I plan on leaving it in 2WD permanently by disconnecting control module also. Thanks

 

[imp]

Thanks for looking in - 02 Limited that will not come out of 4LO. Tried backing up, disconnecting fuses and 4x4 control module - no luck! Read about manually shifting back by removing shifter motor. I moved the pin to (N - Nuetral) is that the correct position?....but how do I move the slot in the shifter motor to match this new position so I can put it back on. I tried using screwdriver etc and it won't move - do I just leave it off?...I plan on leaving it in 2WD permanently by disconnecting control module also. Thanks

You could energize the motor momentarily by "bumping" it with connection of appropriate wires to a battery. imp

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks - Not sure what appropiate wires that would be? I've read posts on manually shifting and that wasn't a problem - it turned very easily but how do you put the motor back on or do you even need to? I did see a small amount of fluid when I removed it so I'm not sure if I start it up and try to press buttons etc - it will spray fluid? Thanks for any help

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Anybody got some info on this one?

 

[bergerwm01]

I had a similar problem last winter after pulling my friend out of a snow bank. I didnt have to do anything mechanical either, I tried rolling my truck and bumping it into 4h a few times till i got to a hill near my house. i put the truck in neutral pressed the 4h button and let it roll, i put it back in D and "bam" a loud clunk and not so fun bump, but it was back in 4h and could easily be put back into auto. The problem ended up being dirty wiring. I dont know if this helps, but i sure hope it does. good luck

 

[IZwack]

but how do I move the slot in the shifter motor to match this new position so I can put it back on.

With the shift motor unbolted from the transfer case but still connected electrically to the rest of the vehicle, disconnect the vehicle's battery. Move the transfer case selector on the dash back to Auto or whatever. Wait a few minutes and reconnect the battery. The shift motor should move back to its default position.

BTW, [N]eutral is the wrong position. If your transfer case is anything like the 2nd gen's, the correct position should be "4H" (if that exists, could just be "H" instead of "L"). And make sure you block off the tires because once the transfer case is in [N]eutral, the transmission and engine are disconnected from the drivetrain and only your E-brakes/Parking brakes are holding the vehicle in position.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for the response -- I did fiinally get it to switch back to 4Hi and I quickly pulled the wiring from the 4x4 control module to prevent any further occurances?! For those w/ a similiar problem - I did take off shifter motor and manually move pin to nuetral - couldn't quite get it to 4HI but since I couldn't match the shifter motor to the new position I eventually moved the pin back to 4LO. I hit the motor a dozen times hoping to bring it back to life? Put it back together and....No Luck!! I had the vehicle jacked up so I put in gear, pushed all the buttons, put in park, put in nuetral, shifted through all the gears, hitting buttons, slight swearing, (in no particular order) -- was getting a bit desperate at that point and "voila" the 4Low button lit up and I was finally able to switch it to Auto4! As mentioned above - I disconnected the 4x4 control module as we have seldom needs for 4x4 here in coastal South Carolina. There must be a short, a shifter motor problem, or...?? I'm not quite sure but it's working now - on to the next problem to overcome or sometimes get Lucky! Good Luck w/ yours!