4wd not working - help please

[mattwill]

Hi all

I have a 97 XLT which will not shift to 4wd.

When we got the car it was doing the classic grinding gear transfer case noise on deceleration. It took the dealer I bought the car from about 3 attempts over 18 months to permanently fix this noise. After they finaly fixed it I discovered a while later (i dont use 4wd much) that although it wasnt doing the grinding noise, the vehicle wont shift into 4wd.

So i followed the instructions in one of the sticky's to jack the car up and turn the front driveshaft see if the wheels turn, engage 4h and then see if the driveshaft will turn etc.

After engaging 4h I was still able to turn the front driveshaft by hand so the transfer case is not engaging.

Could you point me in the direction of what I should do next to try and fix the problem.


Thanks

Matt

 

[mattwill]

anyone??? Id really appreciate some help

 

[nooberiffic]

Are any of the lights on the dash 4x4 buttons blinking? Unplug the two plugs from the 4x4 control module (91-94 its in the cargo area side panel drivers side) press the button to do the self check. If it works than it might be the t-case shift motor.

If you do a search you will find procedures, writeups, and even pictures for doing all of this.


how is the test against the west indies going?

 

[mattwill]

The only thing the dashlights do is this.

When I shift to 4x4 hi, the 4x4 light comes on. When i shift to 4lo it just syats the same just the 4x4 light on

I cant hear any relays clicking or anything when i shift. How do i work out what is the problem

 

[gijoecam]

Patience is a virtue... Most of the guys on here are busy on the weekends either drivin' 'em or wrenchin' on 'em.

First, as I understand, there are two problems: 1) The system won't lock the transfer case, and 2) the system won't engage 4low.

The first thing I'd check are the fuses.
Power Distribution Block under the hood, fuse #7 (20A mini), and in the interior fuse panel, #10, 20, and 28 (7.5A minis, but if the interior ones are blown, you should have other issues...)

For the low range engagement issue, were you stopped, in neutral, with your foot on the brakes? (Did all three brake lights light up?) If not, check interior fuse panel Fuse #13 (15A).

Start there, report back, and we'll troubleshoot from there.

 

[mattwill]

Hey

I checked all those fuses (just visually inspected them, didnt actually change them as i didnt have any spares). Everything seemed fine, however the centre brake light on the tailgate was out. I did try swapping that fuse, #13 with another as it was the only one which I had the correct spare.

Ill grab some fuses today and try swapping them all though

thanks
Matt

 

[mattwill]

Just trying to get back to fixing this problem

Ive checked all the fuses above with the multimeter and they are all fine. Fixed the dodgy brake light.

Double checked what happens when I try to shift to 4x4. With engine running, foot on brake, in neutral nothing happens when i shift from auto to 4 hi to 4 lo. No relays clicking etc. The only thing that happens is the 4x4 light comes on when I shift to 4 hi.

Did a search on checking the 4x4 control module. I just wanted to clarify do I have a seperate 4x4 control module. If so where is it located? Is the correct procedure for checking it (as mentioned above)

1 - unplug two connectors
2 - start car
3 - Press button, watch LED should flash 4 or 5 times if working correctly?

If thats not the next thing to check to fix my problem, what is?

thanks

Matt