4X4 Help!

[naveed]

I own a 1991 Ford Explorer XLT with automatic transmission. It has locking hubs and a 4X4 and LowRange push button control on the dash. I have recently been haveing trouble getting into 4x4 at all. It was suggested to me that it could be the solonoid that does the switching has packed it in, or worn out hubs as they are factory and i have heard they have plastic parts that wear out. Any suggestions or ideas of where to start and what to look for would be greatly appreciated. :exp:

 

[MrShorty]

You haven't given a lot of information, but I would start by determining if the transfer case is engaging or not. When you push the 4x4 button, does the 4x4 light come on? When it's supposedly in 4WD, does the front driveshaft spin? If not, then the problem is likely the transfer case shift motor (can usually be cleaned out and made to function. See instructions on the Singleton site link in the useful threads forum). If the front driveshaft/axleshafts are spinning, but power isn't getting to the wheels, then the problem is in the hubs.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site. You'll find lots of answers to your questions by using the Search button. Many questions (like yours) have been asked many times and there exist a ton of info out there. I'll start you off with a thread with lots of good info regarding the shift motor. Shift motor Rebuild

 

[naveed]

MrShorty the lights do not come on anymore. When i first noticed the problem i could shift into 4X4 but not Low range and now i have nothing. i have locked the hubs and when i do so and put a mark on the front drive shaft and drive a few feet it does in fact turn. This makes little sense to me, as i would assume the drive shaft would not turn unless the 4X4 or Low range buttons were engaged. however i suppose if the hubs are working but the transfer case is not engageing that could cause the driveshaft to spin as well. sorry for the lack of information the first post. hope this helps.

DeRocha thanks for the reply. I did not realize there was such an efficiant search engine here, Thanks for the thread link as well, i read through it and if i need to rebuilt the shift motor i will be sure to use it as a referance!

for now i will continue to use the search link and rely on any feed back i recieve here! thanks!

 

[DeRocha]

When you lock the front hubs the wheels are no longer free wheeling and directly connected to the front differentional and drive shaft; so this indicates your hubs are working correctly (follow the link in my sig line to see an internal animation of this process). When 4x4 is working it will rotate a selector shaft on the T-case from 2H to 4H. This will energize a magnetic clutch which will slowly bring the front drive shaft up to speed with the rear shaft (at which point it will lock). As such your problem is that 4x4 is not being engaged. Listen carefully when you press the 4x4 button; If you hear relays clicking from the trunk area (where the 4x4 controller lives) it indicates the 4x4 controller "Tried" to engage 4x4, but something prevented it. 95% of the time the shift motor is the cause. If you have read the other post it will explain how to correct it.