4WD Problem- XLT 98

[atepas]

Good morning.
First of all let me introduce as a new Explorer owner (year 98) 4.0 liters. I come form Spain so please accept any difficulties/missunderstandings with the languaje.
My probles is as follows:
When I insert 4WD High from 4WD Auto, I can hear a noise when I turn suddenly. I think the noise comes form the front trasnmission. If I drive normally with normal turns, no any problem. The 4WD works perfectly.
Another issue, is how can I know that under 4WD auto the fornt trnsmission will work when needed? I have check it in crushed stone and I see that fornt wheeels do not skid.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[gijoecam]

The binding and hopping you experience while turning in 4wd on dry pavement is because the front wheels must travel farther than the rear wheels. With the transfer case locked in 4high, they are not allowed to turn at different rates. Do not use 4high on a high traction surface. 4High should only be used on loose materials and low traction surfaces, like sand, snow, mud, and loose gravel.

If 4high is working, 4auto should as well. To test it, find a loose gravel surface. With your left foot holding the brakes, begin applying more throttle with your right foot. At some point, the rear wheels will begin to break traction and spin for only a moment. Then the front wheels will immediately engage.

-Joe

 

[atepas]

Thanks Joe for responses. I will try to test 4auto as you say.

 

[atepas]

During weekend, I have tried what Joe said (both gravel and mud) but front wheels do not engage in 4auto. In 4High they engaged perfectly. Any idea why not in auto?
Thanks

 

[gijoecam]

During weekend, I have tried what Joe said (both gravel and mud) but front wheels do not engage in 4auto. In 4High they engaged perfectly. Any idea why not in auto?
Thanks

Without connecting it to an NGS to know for sure, my best guess would be a bad TOD relay. That relay is in the passenger side of the dash, and can be accessed by removing the stereo, pulling the stereo trim bezel (2 screws above the HVAC controls), and removing the HVAC duct (one screw bottom center, at the back of the opening). You'll see the TOD relay on the right side top of the opening. IIRC, it's got 5 wires connected to it, about 1/2" thick, 1.5" wide, and 3" long. (My photos went down with the site that hosted them, otherwise I'd link to them)

But again, that's just a guess... Without knowing what the system is doing or why, I can't tell for sure.

Also, let me check the schematics when I get to work... could be as simple as a fuse...

 

[atepas]

Thanks again Joe. I will wait till you check if it is a fuse as to change the relay sounds complicated for me.

 

[gijoecam]

Sorry for the sluggish response... I was in the process of selling one motorcycle, buying another, and have been busy at work too. I hate it when they actually expect me to WORK at work...

Just checked the schematics for you... I don't think it's a fuse because the fuse involved feeds a number of other things as well. But, if you still want to check, the two possibilities would be fuse #4 in the power distribution box (30A MAXI fuse), and fuse #26 in the instrument panel fuse box (10A mini). Either one of those woould likely affect other things, though.

As I mentioned before, without seeing what the system is seeing, the TOD relay is just a guess... Replacing it isn't hard at all. A small set of hand tools is all that's needed... I'll try and get the photos back up next week if I can...

-Joe

 

[atepas]

I have just phoned a Ford agent in Madrid, and they say me I have to give them the article code (Ford reference) or to remove the faulty relay and show them. The Explorer is not well known in Spain mainly due to high fuel consumption and fuel prices (now 1,94 $/litter)
Excuse my igonarnce, but what TOD means? Thanks

 

[gijoecam]

Torque On Demand Relay. I don't have a part number for it, but I sent a message to Torrie McPhail at www.fastpartsnetwork.com to see if it's available and if he can ship to Spain for less than what your dealer may need to charge for it.

I'll try and get my photos uploaded as soon as I can for you...