4x4 is not working

[torbinho1]

Hi I am new to this forum. I guess this question was asked before but could not find anything right away. I have a 95 explorer. We had our first snow here on the Island. So I went out to have some fun with my 4 WD but I realized quickly that the 4x4 is not working anymore. The Low 4 WD neither. Any simple solving problems I could try before I have to bring her to the shop. I have the Haynes Manual handy too. Could find anything there either.
Thanks for your input.

Cheers

 

[rhauf]

when you turn it to 4x4, does the light for 4x4 come on? does it flash? have you checked the fuse for the electronic 4x4 shift motor?

 

[torbinho1]

yes lights come on

when I switch to 4wd ligh goes on. when I switch to low 4wd light comes on and I hear the typical "clak". But only rear wheel spin. No movment on the front.
Could the 4wd fail due to a blown fuse even when the lights are on? I will go and check the fuses. I'll keep you posted.

 

[ranger-93]

Iv been corrected on this topic before so if I need correction, someone please do so. But I think you have the vaccum actuated type "hubs", so maybe a loose or popped off line somewhere. Just throwing ideas out there in case it helps someone else give you an idea.

 

[torbinho1]

I have checked the front drive shaft. It is spinning but the wheels don't. I will look for lose hoses tomorrow. Its dark here now. Could you be more specific on your loose line comment?

Thanks,

 

[ranger-93]

It's a vaccum line that runs to the engine and is used to activate a type of hub that engages the front wheels.

 

[rhauf]

Iv been corrected on this topic before so if I need correction, someone please do so. But I think you have the vaccum actuated type "hubs", so maybe a loose or popped off line somewhere. Just throwing ideas out there in case it helps someone else give you an idea.

Okay i'll correct you. they are not vacuum locking hubs.. if they are automatic hubs, they work mechanically: when the axle shaft starts turning, they lock in on their own.

I have checked the front drive shaft. It is spinning but the wheels don't. I will look for lose hoses tomorrow. Its dark here now. Could you be more specific on your loose line comment?

Thanks,

sounds like the transfer case is shifting fine and everything. the problem is with you're hubs. it sounds like you have automatic hubs... this is a very, very common issue for them. when they don't get used for a long time (As most people never use 4x4) the grease in them gets hard and solidifys, so they don't lock.. they just sit there... the fix for this is take the hubs off (they fall off when the wheel is off) and put a ton of penetrating oil in them, or wd-40 or something to dilute the grease. if you really want to do a through job fill it with alcohol or brake cleaner and get all that old cruddy grease out.. clean it up good then add a little oil, make sure the parts move freely, add some grease and reinstall. this will probably fix you're problem

or just upgrade to some manual locking hubs that are way stronger and never fail.

 

[corkey]

if the abs light is on 4wd will not work either,, if it is not on, it's the vacuum disconnect, on the front axle,

 

[corkey]

okay, i better elaborate on this,, in 1995 the front axle was a separate part from the IFS,
it hangs up inside and is connected to the hubs and wheels with cv type axles, the differential has a vacuum disconnect mechanism on one end , and it has 2 hoses running to it that control it from a solenoid in the front behind the header panel, if them hoses become unhooked than it will not connect the axle, so the driveshaft will turn but the front axle is not engaged, so no 4wd,,

 

[ranger-93]

ok he's gonna be confused with one person saying vaccum actuated and one person saying auto hubs. i thought auto hubs were 91-94 gen 1's???

 

[corkey]

it says under his name he has a 1995 , there is not auto hubs on a 95 it has a vacuum disconnect front axle , the same as my 1996,, they changed the front end to IFS in 95,,

 

[ranger-93]

it says under his name he has a 1995 , there is not auto hubs on a 95 it has a vacuum disconnect front axle , the same as my 1996,, they changed the front end to IFS in 95,,

thats what i thought

 

[torbinho1]

I was confused for a moment. I guess Corkey is right though. What stands IFS for?
Thanks for all your imput.
I will check the lines that are mentioned in Corkey's post. I hope that it will be an easy fix and that it is just a loose hose.
Cheers

 

[corkey]

ifs = independent front suspension,

 

[rhauf]

it says under his name he has a 1995 , there is not auto hubs on a 95 it has a vacuum disconnect front axle , the same as my 1996,, they changed the front end to IFS in 95,,

my mistake. i was thinking it was a first gen for some reason (with auto hubs and no vac stuff)

 

[torbinho1]

Problem solved

It was the loose vacuum plug that plugs into the actuall vacuum pump. That must have happend while I was fighting with an oil filter that didn't want to come off.
I like easy fixes like that. One thing worried me though. The pump and the surrounding area is cover pretty good with black greesy stuff.
Will clean that whole area too see where its coming from.
Cheers and thanks again for your support:biggthump