4x4 Low won't engage

[DJ Paladin]

I know many questions have been asked and answered about the 4x4 system on this explorer but I couldn't find anything dealing with my problem.

The 4x4 Low on my explorer will not engage. Put the truck in neutral, step on the brake and hit the low button. The light flashes about 20 times and that's it. No clicking and or anything. It does let me put it into 4x4 high. When I start the truck the 4x4 low light does light up for a second and then turns off.

I have replaced the shift motor and the 4x4CM (old CM was locking up the front diff so I replaced it and that problem is fixed). The 4x4 low doesn't work with the old or new CM.

At this point I don't know what else to check. Is there a relay between the CM and the shift motor. I have tried to find diagrams of this online with no luck. Also does anyone know the route the wiring harness takes to go from this shift motor to the CM?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[D Hook]

Sorry to say I can't help but am subscribing to this thread because I have the same problem.

 

[mjp3262]

Is your Brake light coming on when you press brake pedal ? Could be as easy as that.

 

[DJ Paladin]

By brake light do you mean the rear indicator lights or the break light on the dash. My rear brake lights all work no blown bulbs and no light on the dash comes on when the brake is pressed.

 

[DJ Paladin]

Bump
Anyone?

 

[DJ Paladin]

Bump

 

[IZwack]

My question is, do you really neeed LO range? The reason I ask because, from what we've seen in the past, LO range (4LO) just gets people in trouble when the system refuses to revert back to 4HI/AUTO forcing the driver to limp the vehicle back home at almost 2.5 times normal engine RPM.

 

[nebexplorer]

Have you tried putting it in 1st or 2nd?

 

[Kuljin_Kasey02]

From what I understand about reading about the system is the 2002 have 2 sensors that are on the transfer case used to determine where the tuning fork is that decides if the system is in high or low. Here is an article that should help you out with this. I am thinking maybe one of these sensors is out so the vehicle is not sensing the solenoid putting the tuning fork in the low position, or the solenoid itself may be out, or, well, you might have a broken wire somewhere.

Also, the solenoid uses the xfer case as a ground, so if you have a non conductive gasket between the xfer case and tranny, you may have to mount a wire between the 2.

http://www.rsgear.com/articles/2008_05.pdf

 

[Mender]

OP DJ,
I am experiencing similar issues with my 02' Ex XLT. Replaced the 4X4 CM too.
Did you ever find out how to repair?

 

[Exploder#1]

I had the same issue then I read the owners manual. Put it in reverse go fast stomp on the brakes do that in 4x4 high. Now put it in neutral hold your foot down on the brake do not let up and press 4x4 low it will engadge. By putting it in reverse in 4x4 high and slamming on the brakes you helped it decuple the half shafts locking pins. This also works great when stuck in low range. Same thing run in reverse up to 10mph slam on breaks come to stop then put in neutral foot on brake while selecting 4x4 auto again. Keep foot firm on break or you may skip back into a locked pin situation again. Ask me how I know has worked for 16 years this is the way!

 

[mrparsons]

I know many questions have been asked and answered about the 4x4 system on this explorer but I couldn't find anything dealing with my problem.

The 4x4 Low on my explorer will not engage. Put the truck in neutral, step on the brake and hit the low button. The light flashes about 20 times and that's it. No clicking and or anything. It does let me put it into 4x4 high. When I start the truck the 4x4 low light does light up for a second and then turns off.

I have replaced the shift motor and the 4x4CM (old CM was locking up the front diff so I replaced it and that problem is fixed). The 4x4 low doesn't work with the old or new CM.

At this point I don't know what else to check. Is there a relay between the CM and the shift motor. I have tried to find diagrams of this online with no luck. Also does anyone know the route the wiring harness takes to go from this shift motor to the CM?

Thanks in advance for any help.

​

I realize that this is an old topic and some resolutions were made but I have one of my own (not sure if anyone else covered it because I never read the entire thread). Check/replace your Neutral Safety Switch. In the case of mine, it was a replacement improperly installed. But if the 4x4 module isn't receiving that the vehicle is in neutral when it is, it will not go into 4 low. When changing mine out, I noticed that the switch was likely reading Reverse when it was in fact in Neutral. But if the switch is going bad, same results, no 4 low. And when installing the Neutral Safety Switch, do not do it in Park like I see sites saying. Put it on ramps or jack it up and put jack stands under it, set the parking brake, chock the rear wheels, put it in neutral. You will notice that the Neutral Safety Switch is marked for neutral. Remove the nut that holds the shift linkage in place. If it shifts to drive while loosening the nut, manually shift it back to neutral. Once you get the switch on, make sure the neutral marks line up, then reinstall the linkage.