Solved 4x4 not engaging

[BluIsBlue]

Sure I have one I can sell you
Your 4x4control module is it a Motorola box? I wasn’t aware the 01 sport had this I thought the first year was 02

I have a few of the Motorola boxes from different years
I get them at the junk yard with their wiring pigtails for about $10-25 each
They come from rangers and explorers mostly rangers because explorers were mostly control trac

But yeah if I remember correctly 01-03 sports should be nearly if not identical

 

[EB4X]

Is fuse #10 fried on inside fuse box ?

 

[BluIsBlue]

Is fuse #10 fried on inside fuse box ?

Cabin or engine bay? I checked all related fuses they appeared to be fine. I’m getting power and such to the harnesses and believe I have good ground as well. DLC resistance is fine as well

 

[mmurf]

Did some real digging and found that, indeed, my 4x4cm is fried. Turns out, having to jumpstart the car a few times can kill it. After doing a boat load of testing on the harnesses and the switch I come across some older ranger forum (01-05 rangers use the same control module for 4x4) that mentioned that jumping the vehicle can just kill it sometimes. Previous owner had installed a new battery that was too small and the car was just destroying the poor thing (was corroded to ****) and I had to jump it a couple times to get it to start after getting the new starter before I bought a new battery (and before I knew much about cars). Makes me really wish I had an earlier 2nd gen so it’d be handled by the GEM and not this separate module. Alas, I have to now either fork over $200+ to dorman or motorcraft for a replacement or hope and pray I can find one at a salvage or junk yard for cheap.

Anyone looking to sell a 4x4cm??

How did you find out the cm was bad? My 4x4 hi comes on but 4 low does not. And I don't hear anything from the glove box at all

 

[BluIsBlue]

For me, I was able to find out because none of my lights turned on. There was genuinely ZERO response or indication my 4x4 module was active. If you have FORScan, it should be able to read codes off the module (my FORScan could) so try that. I’ll also attach testing procedure for inoperable 4x4

 

[BluIsBlue]

If you have an explorer sport like mine, this should give you testing procedures:

Repair and Diagnosis — 2001 Ford Truck Explorer Sport 4WD V6-4.0L VIN E Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2001 Ford Truck Explorer Sport 4WD V6-4.0L VIN E.

charm.li

 

[BluIsBlue]

How did you find out the cm was bad? My 4x4 hi comes on but 4 low does not. And I don't hear anything from the glove box at all

It sounds less like your module is bad and more like there’s something else in the system that is bad. Truly exhaust your options before jumping to it being a module. Especially if you have signs of life on the dashboard. Not common where a module is defective. If it was fried you wouldn’t be getting any 4x4 lights on the dash. Take a look at other troubleshooting in this thread. If you have a pre-2001 Explorer 2 door or if it’s 2001 and before four door you don’t have a control module rather it’s handled via the GEM. If it’s 2001-2005 Explorer Sport 2 door, 01-05 Ranger, or 01-05 Sport Trac it’ll have a module to diagnose

 

[mmurf]

It sounds less like your module is bad and more like there’s something else in the system that is bad. Truly exhaust your options before jumping to it being a module. Especially if you have signs of life on the dashboard. Not common where a module is defective. If it was fried you wouldn’t be getting any 4x4 lights on the dash. Take a look at other troubleshooting in this thread. If you have a pre-2001 Explorer 2 door or if it’s 2001 and before four door you don’t have a control module rather it’s handled via the GEM. If it’s 2001-2005 Explorer Sport 2 door, 01-05 Ranger, or 01-05 Sport Trac it’ll have a module to diagnose

I have a 03 4 door XLS flex

 

[mmurf]

I have a 03 4 door XLS flex

I just ordered a transfer motor and it is coming in Thursday. I'm going to install it and try that

 

[J_C]

I just ordered a transfer motor and it is coming in Thursday. I'm going to install it and try that

You can apply 12V to the motor out of the transfer case to see if it works, but do put it back in the original position when reinstalling.

It might also be held together with screws, so IF they aren't too corroded to take out, you could open it up, check the brushes, lube the bearings and gears, clean the commutator bars, check resistance on the windings, clean the positional switch contacts, and if everything checks out, put it back together and see if it works.