4x4 coming on when not engaged

[Ell4]

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer. On Wednesday the 4x4 mode started coming on during turns. I took into the Ford dealer and they couldn't replicate the problem and found nothing wrong. It drove great on Thursday night. Friday morning I turned it on and it was already in 4x4 low. I tried to put it into drive to just get to the top of my driveway except the transmission didn't engage and I started rolling back. I turned the car off and on, it was fine. The same thing happend this morning except the transmission did engage. After restarting the car it went away. The dealer said they had never heard of this and I don't know how to get them to fix it. Any advice?

 

[VBVA]

Does it have the swith for 4x4 on the dash? If it has this then it sounds like you have serious electrical problems.

 

[Ell4]

Yes it has them on the dash. There is a selection for auto, high and low. I find it odd that the dealer said the computer did not log any error messages because it was making a huge whirring noise when I turned which, as I understand it, would be considered abnormal as you're not suppose to use 4x4 on dry pavement.

 

[FHfirefighter]

Well just so you know, your 4 wheel drive can come on with dry pavement (usually in turns and if there's loose sand/gravel on the road) it's called "control trac". So if you have this system, it comming on in turns is not unusual under the right circumstances....so that could explain some of what's happening, but as for the transmission stuff, good luck

 

[Ell4]

I don't have controltrac. It's acting as if I do though. I know the 4x4 can come on when a wheel slips but the light doesn't come on when that happens. This was on dry pavement and on a very slow normal turn.

 

[Ell4]

I just wanted to add that today the light was flashing 6-8 times and then stopping. Also 4x4 mode doesn't work at all and it stays in 2 wheel drive only. Now I can take it back to the dealer because there is a definable problem.

 

[FHfirefighter]

man that sucks especially on something so new. good luck.

 

[xxblackxx]

take it to the dealer and let them sort it out. sounds like its throwing some sort of dtc.

 

[ROBSTER454]

Hello, Iam having the same problem with my 95 limited,, When I start the truck up its in 4low,, let it set a min. and it goes out (light),, got checking things and it seamed to be stuck in 4hi also (when light goes out),, unpluged the switch and didnt have the problem,, plug the switch back in and the problem was there again my thinking is the switch is shot,, But also I pulled the4x4 motor and cleaned the connections and the senors also. How it doesnt act like its stuck in 4hi anymore (had the truck up with all 4off the ground) the front wheels arent turning under power. getting new switch tomorrow will see

 

[CodePoet]

If the light is flashing it's giving you a code. At least i'm pretty sure that's how it works on mine and i've never seen anything to deter me from telling you its different on the newer trucks. Do some searches, i'm sure there is thread telling you what the flashes mean, then take it back to the dealership with the info. Good luck!

CP

 

[pv8241]

hello I'm also having the same problem on my 2004. the ABS lites stays on , the 4x4 lites flash. When the lites start flashing, you can definetly hear a change in the drive, and also the cruise quits when this starts. Also, the service engine lites stays on constantly. (no trac control) By the way.had the same problem on my 2002.

 

[spotted dogs]

bad sensor....

I had a 98 sport that decided to do the same thing....took it to the dealer and ironically he diagnosed it it 10 seconds...turns out they had an ex in the day before with the same problem and it took three hours to figure it out. Anyway, apparently there is a sensor in the transfer case that detects slipage that then engaged the 4x4 on its own (the light flashed as you said at times...then stayed on others.) The repair was simply replacing the sensor and the problem disappeared. If you are having problems diagnosing the problem...it was the service manager at Cherry Ford in Chilliwack BC Canada was the guy who made the call.

This is my best recollection of a converstation I had three years ago...hope it helps.