4wd system over temp

[dtr]

I remember reading that several SUVs including the explorer quit working in sand dunes by one of the auto magazines. My understanding is the explorer has an over temp sensor that turns four wheel drive off after a certain point. What is missing from the articles is how long does it take for the over temp to get the ex stuck? 30 minutes? 1 hr? 2 hr? more? less?

 

[ocracokeBound]

I read that article. From that and other stuff I have read it would seem like you would need to run it really hard in deep sand for a half hour or so to make it shut down. It sounds like a fail safe that keeps people from damaging the AWD internals. I can't imagine how much damage they are doing to the transmissions of those trucks pushing them to the limit like that, high temperatures are the death of automatic transmissions. If I wanted to do that I would get a buggy instead of a 40k vehicle that would need a 6k transmission way too soon.

 

[dtr]

I read that article. From that and other stuff I have read it would seem like you would need to run it really hard in deep sand for a half hour or so to make it shut down. It sounds like a fail safe that keeps people from damaging the AWD internals. I can't imagine how much damage they are doing to the transmissions of those trucks pushing them to the limit like that, high temperatures are the death of automatic transmissions. If I wanted to do that I would get a buggy instead of a 40k vehicle that would need a 6k transmission way too soon.

thanks, good advice

I really just want to not get stuck in places not test the limits. I just think stating the system quit without saying it was 5 minutes or 5 hours is not very useful.

 

[Fred91456]

I actually experienced this, this past weekend... i got stuck in a deep pile of snow, and couldnt get myself out, i tried turning on and off the snow mode and then the traction control but it didnt work, then after about five minutes of trying everything a few warning lights came on, and then the whole knob for all the mode controls went off and also the traction control didnt work, after i got out from the snow and waited a couple of minutes and restarted the engine, only then everything came back up as normal.

 

[peterk9]

I remember reading that several SUVs including the explorer quit working in sand dunes by one of the auto magazines. My understanding is the explorer has an over temp sensor that turns four wheel drive off after a certain point. What is missing from the articles is how long does it take for the over temp to get the ex stuck? 30 minutes? 1 hr? 2 hr? more? less?

Here is what your Owner's Guide says;

AWD Off
Displayed when the system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is
caused by operating the vehicle with the
compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The system will resume normal
function and clear this message after driving a
short distance with the road tire re-installed or
after the system is allowed to cool

Notes it now states AWD not 4WD like my 2011 manual shows.
Ford is finally beginning to come around.:biggthump

Peter

 

[ocracokeBound]

I actually experienced this, this past weekend... i got stuck in a deep pile of snow, and couldnt get myself out, i tried turning on and off the snow mode and then the traction control but it didnt work, then after about five minutes of trying everything a few warning lights came on, and then the whole knob for all the mode controls went off and also the traction control didnt work, after i got out from the snow and waited a couple of minutes and restarted the engine, only then everything came back up as normal.

I torched a tranny in an F-150 doing just that, $1500.

 

[midnightsun]

Fred91456 i had the same problem @ -10 deg. 3 days for the system to reset it self. Now Awd, no traction, no select trac...at the worst possible time.