4 x 4 engaging?

[floresrsr]

Good morning everybody.
New to the forum and I did introduce myself in the new guy forum. My problem is this.

2002 Ford Explorer XLT, 4.0, 4wd
111,000 trouble-free miles. Just the normal maintenace and replacing of worn parts.

Under power this Ford is smooth and no problems. If I let off the gas and start coming to a stop it acts as though it is trying to engage the front wheels. It feels like it is going in and out.

Recent maintenance:
Last week I had two rear tires replaced. These are the original sizes.
Last week I, also, replaced battery.

Problem seems to have started after that or it got so bad that it is the first time I noticed it. Maybe coincidental maybe not.

I took it to local dealer. To make a long story short after paying 750.00 for what they thought was wrong they recommend replacing the transfer case. Thus, another $2300.00.

Anyone experience this problem?

 

[leftlane36]

If you have the auto 4wd system and only replaced 2 tires, yes you are feeling the front end kicking in this system needs all four tires to be matched. Get 2 more tires for the front and your problems should go away.

 

[D Hook]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194875

Check out the thread above to add a switch to disable the 4x4 from automatically kicking in.

These cars don't like having two tires that are different diameter and there's a good chance the new tires are just a bit larger than the used tires, which makes the system think something is slipping and kicks it into 4WD. Usually, best to replace all four at the same time as mentioned in previous post.

It's too bad Ford didn't put an indicator light on the dash telling you that you're in 4WD. But I believe you could add this if you do the brown wire mod.

 

[waskly]

get 4 of the same tires.

you cant change just 2 tires on 4x4

 

[Triton8273]

If you do the Mod that D Hook mentioned, completely ignore the instructions to add a relay, it does nothing, just put a switch in the middle.

 

[floresrsr]

If you have the auto 4wd system and only replaced 2 tires, yes you are feeling the front end kicking in this system needs all four tires to be matched. Get 2 more tires for the front and your problems should go away.

YOU ROCK!

You were spot on Leftlane36. Thanks. Imagine the look on the faces of the mechanics who wanted to R&R my transfer case. Classic! I was nice though.

 

[lit4caster]

My 4WD 02 Explorer (140k miles) seems to be suffering the same issue regarding 4WD engaging. (I am still able to engage the high and low 4WD) Has only occurred after I park the vehicle outside overnight in the fall/spring. Long story short, after backing out of the driveway, put it in drive and the front end shutters like the 4WD is trying to engage. Had the local Ford dealer and a local mechanic check the hubs/bearings and both found no problem. I do have a newer set of tires on the front vs the rear. Would just a few 32nds in tire depth cause the problem? Thanks for any assistance.

 

[D Hook]

It's very possible.

Have you tried pulling the fuses to see if that stops the problem? Might isolate it for you before you put out money for two more tires.

I've had low inflation cause the same problem once in the past. Rear tire had a slow leak and was causing the 4x4 to kick in. Once I had the tire fixed it stopped doing it.

 

[waskly]

My 4WD 02 Explorer (140k miles) seems to be suffering the same issue regarding 4WD engaging. (I am still able to engage the high and low 4WD) Has only occurred after I park the vehicle outside overnight in the fall/spring. Long story short, after backing out of the driveway, put it in drive and the front end shutters like the 4WD is trying to engage. Had the local Ford dealer and a local mechanic check the hubs/bearings and both found no problem. I do have a newer set of tires on the front vs the rear. Would just a few 32nds in tire depth cause the problem? Thanks for any assistance.

can it yes, esp if different mfg, a 245/75/16 michellin will not be the same same size as a good year 245/75/16

so if you have different brands also yes tires will engage 4x4

 

[lit4caster]

@ D Hook...do you have a link for which fuses to take out? Thanks for the response.

 

[D Hook]

Dead Link Removed

Under the hood--fuses 17 and 18

Link above is to the 2002 owners manual.

Check page 234.

 

[doug625]

each vehicle must be slightly different, I can't believe that 1/32 of an inch could make a difference but I guess it's possible. I would think new tires on the rear if anything would be taller, therefore turning slightly slower than the fronts, not faster which would engage the auto 4x4 as it would assume the rears are slipping. Anyways, if that was the problem and the tires made the difference I guess that answers that. I ran different tires on the rear for 2 weeks and never had an issue, but then again maybe my 4x4 module is bad! lol

Here is a question....Pulling those fuses disables the 4x4 auto right? But can 4x4 still be engaged manually by pressing the button when these fuses are out? Or does this disable the whole system?

 

[waskly]

each vehicle must be slightly different, I can't believe that 1/32 of an inch could make a difference but I guess it's possible. I would think new tires on the rear if anything would be taller, therefore turning slightly slower than the fronts, not faster which would engage the auto 4x4 as it would assume the rears are slipping. Anyways, if that was the problem and the tires made the difference I guess that answers that. I ran different tires on the rear for 2 weeks and never had an issue, but then again maybe my 4x4 module is bad! lol

Here is a question....Pulling those fuses disables the 4x4 auto right? But can 4x4 still be engaged manually by pressing the button when these fuses are out? Or does this disable the whole system?

pulling fuses disables the 4x4

the 1/32 thread wear depth is wrong. take a string and run the circumference of the tires see which one has a bigger / smaller circumference.

and since the abs reads 4.4 or 4.43 Mph yes a small variation can kick 4x4 auto on.

like I said, you can have thread wear the same, but different circumference tires. each manufacture, from tire to tire varies.

 

[lit4caster]

Another option that was mentioned in other posts was to disconnect the control module behind the glove box. Does anyone have a pic or know what color the wires are that need to be disconnected? As far as I can tell, the 4WD system on my explorer is still operational. Thanks again for the help.

 

[D Hook]

You might be better off pulling the fuses since some have experienced failure when plugging the module back in. Might want to do a search on the board before disconnecting.

But if you really want to try, it's behind the glove box. Open the door of the glovebox and squeeze the two sides together to release it and let if fall down all the way. Module should be right in front of you and be plainly marked.

 

[lit4caster]

Follow up to earlier post...

I replaced the Control Module and now able to activate 4x4 High and Low. However, when driving under normal conditions in 4x4 Auto, I still notice what feels like hesitation in the drive system. It does not sound like a bad bearing. I've had several mechanics check the bearings with no issues found. I disconnected the Control Module and do notice a 'smoother' ride. Any ideas on what to do next? Thanks.

 

[D Hook]

What will you do with your old module? Let me know if you decide to sell it. Sounds like it's still good.

 

[lit4caster]

I'm thinking the old module is bad. I reconnected it one more time, and had no lights illuminate when I pressed the 4x4 High or Low buttons.