4x4 Inoperative - Wiring Goof???

[everes]

I have a 2002 Eddie Bauer (out of warranty) V8 and the 4x4 does not work. Since I have owned the vehicle it has never worked. I purchased the 2002 Explorer/Mountaineer Service Manual Vol. 1 & 2 and Wiring Diagram book. Now for the question:

When I began troubleshooting, I came across a problem from the start. The wiring diagram for the four wheel drive control module are not matching with the actual connectors (c281a and c281b). Has anyone else had this problem with '02 Explorers? My thought is that either the wiring diagram book is incorrect (published June 2001) or the connectors were wired wrong from the factory. Which I find hard to believe that the original owner NEVER used 4WD.

Any thoughts???

 

[kommesb]

same problem

I also own a 2002 EB and am having problems with my 4x4. It doesn't seem to work at all. When I press the 4x4 high button, nothing lights up on the dash and 4x4 doesn't engage. I pulled all the fuses that relate to 4x4 to make sure they were ok which they were. Now here is where you need to pay attention. I disconnected the batterey and reconnected it to the black fuse box under the hook. Once I did this the 4x4 worked fine for about a week. Then it went bad again, I took my vehicle into the ford dealer and they said I needed a new 4x4 module which they had to order. so in the meantime, we got some new snow, so I disconnected the battery again, and reconnected it and 4x4 has been working great for the past 4 days now. I'm going to call the ford dealer today because my part is in to find out if its necessary to install this module. Let me know what you find out as well. Thanks.

 

[everes]

kommesb,

Are you disconnecting the battery from the + and - terminals OR actually disconnecting wire connecting to black fuse box under hood?

If you have time, I would be very courious how many wires you have on each connector (c281a and c281b)going to the 4x4 control module (located under passenger side dash, below glove box).

According to the Ford Service Manual:
C281a is a 17 pin connector with 17 wires
C281b is a 17 pin connector with 14 wires

On my Explorer:
C281a is a 17 pin connector with 14 wires
C281b is a 17 pin connector with 12 wires

 

[kommesb]

What I do is disconnect the battery from the black fuse box. I will take a look at the 4x4 module tonight to see what the status is on that. Is the module hard to get at and also, is the module hard to replace once a person does get to it. Let me know. Thanks.

 

[everes]

You actually don't even have to remove the 4x4 module to look at the connecters. Look under the passenger dash or lower the glove box by pressing in the two tabs on the side of the box inwards. The little black box about 5 inches x 3 inches with two 17 pin connecters is the 4x4 control module. It should be easy to replace, if I remember correctly there are only 2 bolts holding it.