4WD auto problems

[ahodges]

I own a 4x4 1996 Explorer XLT with the 4.0

The winter months are aproaching so I tried my 4WD for the first time since the middle of the summer. When I went to engage the 4WD auto, it acted normal and engaged. However, when I accelerate there seems to be excessive vibration. Also when i turn a corner, the truck clunks and the tires squeal (without a doubt the front axel is locked). Since I've owned this truck for 5 years now I know it is not supposed to do this in 4WD auto on dry pavement.
The other symptom it has is the transmission will not shift out of first gear when the truck is in 4WL unless the RPM's are above 3,000 and will not go into any other gears. It has never done this before either.

When I put the truck in 4WD auto the correct light comes on and then shortly after both the 4WD and 4WL lights flash simultaneously 6 times, then off for about 2 minutes, then repeat. This continues no matter if it is in 2WD or 4WD until I shut the truck off and restart it, then it is normal until I try to put it back in 4WD.

The transfercase is full of oil and was changed only 25,000 miles ago, no water is in the oil.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem is? I'm very mechanical and can do my own work but don't know where to start with this one. Thanks for your time in this matter.

 

[my98nnj]

You cannot engague 4wd on dry roads, the front drive trane will bind up when you try to turn. That info is in your owners manual. The vibrations might indicate a failing drive shaft or bad CV joints.

Are you sure it's not coming out of 1st in 4wl? The tranny shifts pretty quickly through the gears in 4wl. By 15-20 mph it's in top gear. If it were stuck in 1st I don't think you'd get over 5mph without the rpm's getting up pretty high.

 

[Joe Dirt]

If he is running the ControlTrac system, it does not bind up like a normal 4wd system during a turn when not activated, even when clicked into 4wd Auto. He should be able to turn the truck and not bind up like a normal 4wd system...

 

[Glen4X4]

Yes, Joe Dirt is correct with this the 95 and 96 do not operate the same as your 98. It sounds like your front end is binding, my first guess is the clutch is stuck in the on position of the transfer case. When you start it up and put it in 4auto without making the truck kick the 4X4 in automatically just driving normal does it bind when turning?

 

[ahodges]

Yes x92Exploder that is exactly what it would do. Also when just accelerating normally I could hear the gears whining excessively.

This morning however, I tried it out again in my morning commute and now it's working fine. I cycled it through 4WD auto, Low, 2WD, and back to 4WD auto without any problems. I'm just curious as to what would cause it to act like that in the first place. To me it seems like the computer was acting up or some sort of electrical problem.

 

[Glen4X4]

Here's a thread on the transfer case being stuck in 4high. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231607 Hope it helps you out in narrowing your problem down. But as far as gears whining not sure about that, are you sure its not a bad wheel bearing you're hearing?

 

[ahodges]

Positive, when it is in 2WD it doesn't make any abnormal noises. Also I've had it on jack stands and checked the bearings and drive shafts out, they are smooth and solid. Thanks for the help

 

[Glen4X4]

Then the noise I'm thinking you're hearing is slight binding because even if driving straight there is still light bindage from the internal clutch sticking, because the way our transfer cases are designed that when in 4auto the transfer case does not switch gears like a traditional case.

 

[ahodges]

ok, thanks. So if it is performing normally now do you think its anything to worry about; or did it just have to work its self back in after not being driven in 4WD for a while?

 

[Glen4X4]

I'm honestly not sure, I myself have never had this problem but then again there probably isn't a month that goes by that my 4wd doesn't get used.

You may want to browse other threads on this subject.

 

[ahodges]

lol, ok thanks for all the advice.

 

[Glen4X4]

yep, that's what were here for