4 X 4 will not disingage

[dredger]

I have a 2002 explorer SUV with about 80,000 miles. I pushed the 4X4 low range button yesterday and then attempted to take it back out by simply pushing the 4X4 auto button and when it would not disengage I then pushed the 4X4 high range and no matter what i do now it will not come out of 4X4 low. I have tried all combinations of attempting to shift in reverse, stopped, in motion and in each gear range and it will not disengage.

Is there a module somewhere that I can at least test to see if it has power to it? I would like to at veast verify that the problem is electrical as i have a long way to tow it for repair. Thanks.

dredger

 

[Leo427]

I copied the procedure below from the 2002 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual.

The brake pedal has to be depressed and the transmission has to be in neutral for the 4x4 Low to disengage.

I can't tell from your post if you tried this procedure.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/02expog6e.pdf

Shifting from 4x4 Low to 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Press the 4x4 Auto or the 4x4
High button. When 4x4 Auto is
engaged NO indicator lights will
illuminate. When 4x4 High is
engaged the 4x4 High instrument
cluster light will illuminate.

I hope this info helps.

 

[Derekbrue]

I copied the procedure below from the 2002 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual.

The brake pedal has to be depressed and the transmission has to be in neutral for the 4x4 Low to disengage.

I can't tell from your post if you tried this procedure.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/02expog6e.pdf

Shifting from 4x4 Low to 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral)
(automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4. Press the 4x4 Auto or the 4x4
High button. When 4x4 Auto is
engaged NO indicator lights will
illuminate. When 4x4 High is
engaged the 4x4 High instrument
cluster light will illuminate.

I hope this info helps.

Ditto, that is word for word what I just read in my original owners manual. I did have this issue in my ford expedition (2001) with electronic 4wd and ended up disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and the issue was solved and never happened again, I know this isn't a fix by any means, but I imagine it'll be better than tearing something up if it's stuck in 4x4 low. Good luck,
Derek

 

[blackout881]

Same thing happened here. My 4x4 motor was blowing the 30amp fuse under the hood that goes to it. Replaced the fuse and it shifted back fine. A few months later I forgot that that happened and it happened again, replaced the fuse again and haven't put it in low since. High works fine