4x4 dead in a '92

[4x4exploder88]

4x4 dead in a '92**UPDATE**

I just got my 92 explorer in a trade. The 4x4 is currently not working, and the front driveshaft is unhooked. Guys, I'm gonna be honest, I know nothing about transfer cases, and well, 4 wheel drive in general.

Now, I did the computer check, unplugged connectors B and C, pushed the self test light, and got the 4 flashing lights, and I hear the click. So I am guessing that it is still working properly. The 4x4 light comes on in the dash, but the circular light by the push button does not light up, and when I am underneath the vehicle, the driveshaft dosen't turn(it's disconnected from the front diff. BTW) when I have someone in the drivers seat slowly moving it forward. I am gonna keep searching the forums for more info, and any help from you guys is greatly appreciated.

 

[92exp4x4]

Put front driveshaft back together. Is the truck stuck in 4x4?

Check the electric shift motor on the transfer case itself. This is almost always the problem. Its similar to a power window motor but has a sensor circut built in for the 4x4 shifting system. The light in the button will only light after the case has shifted and the module "sees" it has shifted.

If your truck is stuck in 4x4. Remove the motor from the case and you will see the postions cast into the housing; 2h, 4h, and 4L. You can manually select the case positon with some pliers. Turn the triangle shaped shaft until it points to the desired letters on the case. You can only turn it one way, I think counter-clockwise.

 

[92exp4x4]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/....php?p=1102904

Try this thread. Its got some great pics and great info on the motor and what your problem most likely is.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Well, I can push the button for 4 hi and the light comes on(and off when I push it again) both on the dash and by the button, but, while driving(inching, really) and me being underneath, the driveshaft (connected to the transfer case, but disconnected from the front diff.) dosen't move with the truck. Now, the light didn't come on until I tapped the shift motor, but still the D.S wont turn.

I am getting my parts truck (got both in trade) delivered tomorrow, and I will try and swap motors to see what happens, also replace the u-joints on the front D.S. I can understand why you would think it would be stuck, as the driveshaft has to be disconnected for a reason.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Ok, so, the parts explorer is here now, with a known working 4wd system, and a bad motor. I'm going to start by fixing the driveshaft and swapping the electric shift motor, then I'll go from there. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I also want to note, that when I push the 4x4 button, I hear the computer clicking more than once before the 4x4 lights come on. (So...... hopefully, yes, it is the motor)

 

[92exp4x4]

Let us know what you find. If the motor is working properly, then the only other thing to look at is the t-case itself. The shift cam inside could be broken, or the case exploded internally.

Most likely its your motor, I'm curious to see what you find.

 

[4x4exploder88]

I will be sure to let you know, hopefully tomorrow I will be checking into that. Also just found out I don't have od........ Got on the interstate(for the first time with this one) and was at like 4100 rpm's at 75mph.... Gonna check out the vac modulator as well, The previous owner said there was a vacuum leak somewhere - supposedly it was fixed.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Ok, a little update on my situation, I HAVE OD!!!!! Yep. VERY releived it wasn't something worse than it was. I was getting codes 629 and 566 - 3-4 solenoid circuit. Checked the connectors, and BAM! one was unplugged. Sweet. I also cleaned my MAF, which was filthy. Now back to the 4 wheel drive problem. Updates soon, Working on it as I type.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Ok, so I hooked the driveshaft back up, pushed the 4x4 button, drove it around a little bit, and still no 4 wheel drive.( I don't see the front driveshaft turning) The lights on the dash come on, so does the one on the switch. I haven't got the shift motor out yet, but I think I read that if the lights come on, that the shift motor is going into the right position???

Also, when the car is in park, the front driveshaft spins freely, don't know if it's supposed to do that or not, but it didn't on my parts truck. I'm stuck now, maybe a bad front diff or t-case?

 

[surf]

When my shift motor was broken the lights would come on even though 4 wheel drive was not engaged. Also, if you have auto hubs the front driveshaft should eventually lock up when the hubs engage and you should not be able to spin the shaft anymore.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Gonna start on the motors now, also gonna check the hubs, but a concern was the front DS beinbg able to turn when in park. Should it be able to turn? Maybe once the hubs are locked it won't turn??

 

[surf]

I have auto hubs and when my X was in park I was able to turn the front driveshaft until the hubs locked. After that I could not spin the shaft.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Got the shift motor out, and I can almost turn the gear selector by hand into 4h, and I don't hear it click into place.

*edit* after turning it one full revolution, it is now hard as hell to turn*

 

[4x4exploder88]

used some vacuum hose as new bump stop, so how will I know it is in 4x4?

 

[4x4exploder88]

Just got the new shift motor back in, and now the 4x4 lights won't even come on, nor do I hear the shift motor move position. I still hear the relay clicking, but no lights.

 

[4x4exploder88]

Nevermind the last post, 4x4 works!! However, I did not align the cover properly(somehow, I misunderstood it in the rebuild thread) and it is now stuck in 4wd. Gotta figure out how to align the factory marks, I guess, since I took the cover off both my motor and the one for my parts car without marking them. I am an idiot, I guess, but I'm so happy to know that my 4wd works, it's just a matter of getting the shift motor right. I may go get a boneyard motor, rebuild it and make the marks this time.

*EDIT* I think it is stucxk in 4 low, it won't shift out of 2nd. But the low range light isn't on, the 4x4 light is.

 

[92exp4x4]

If you cannot go more than 25 MPH with out fear of blowing the engine up then you are in low range. Look at the shaft. The long point of the triangle will point at the mode the t-case is in. You can manually shift it to 2h for the time being.

Good to know that the expensive parts are good. T-case, axles etc. You may be able to take the motor back apart and line things back up? Try it and see what happens. Can't mess it up more than it is now!

 

[4x4exploder88]

Can't mess it up more than it is now!

I wish that was the case, the pointer is pointing to just above 2h, and it is in 4l. The dial was tunred the wrong way, so now I think I'm in deeper than I can deal with.