4x4 not working

[energie]

So i just realized it doesnt work, the dash light comes on, the module in the back clicks alot, but it doesnt driev the wheels. its snowing so idont want to go under the vehicle and find out if it spins but when i put it in low, it clicks and then 4x4 shuts off altogether, does this help narrow this down? do i need manual hubs? is it the dash switch, the module? thanks

 

[JTX]

Hubs from 91-94 are junk. I would bet thats it, look into manual hubs from milemarker or warn.

 

[DeRocha]

So i just realized it doesnt work, the dash light comes on, the module in the back clicks alot, but it doesnt driev the wheels. its snowing so idont want to go under the vehicle and find out if it spins but when i put it in low, it clicks and then 4x4 shuts off altogether, does this help narrow this down? do i need manual hubs? is it the dash switch, the module? thanks

When you press 4x4 the button light and dash 4x4 lights come on correct? Did the 4x4 system work before? Did you already read the Troubleshooting 4x4 issues thread?

 

[energie]

yeah i read it but really couldnt pinpoint anything
i just bought the vehicle about a month ago, the 4x4 light comes on, occasionally it takes like 5 tries for the light to actually come on, and like i said when its in 4x4 and N, i press the low button and 4x4 light just shuts off and it doesnt go into 4low
so i dunno what the problem is
id buy manual hubs if thats what i knew would fix it

 

[DeRocha]

yeah i read it but really couldnt pinpoint anything
i just bought the vehicle about a month ago, the 4x4 light comes on, occasionally it takes like 5 tries for the light to actually come on, and like i said when its in 4x4 and N, i press the low button and 4x4 light just shuts off and it doesnt go into 4low
so i dunno what the problem is
id buy manual hubs if thats what i knew would fix it

If the T-case shifts into 4x4 do you hear feel any noise from the T-case? You should hear a slight thump as the T-case clutch locks up, and the steering will feel slightly heavier. You need to perform the HUB test in the troubleshooting guide to ensure the hubs are locking.

 

[walterd140]

I think you have to be in drive or reverse to activate the 4wd. 4wd low only works when you shift to the 2nd 'D' or the 1 gear.

 

[energie]

i dont feel anything really
i hear the module clicking but most of the time the light doesnt go on and it like clicks....awkwardly in the back.
the tcase doesnt shift over or anything, or not that i can tell, the steering is about the same. with that hub test, do i turn the front axle or the shaft or what? there should be a driveshaft going to each wheel in the front do i spin that or what?

 

[DeRocha]

i dont feel anything really
i hear the module clicking but most of the time the light doesnt go on and it like clicks....awkwardly in the back.
the tcase doesnt shift over or anything, or not that i can tell, the steering is about the same. with that hub test, do i turn the front axle or the shaft or what? there should be a driveshaft going to each wheel in the front do i spin that or what?

Just correcting some terminology.

Driveshafts connect the Transfer case to the differentials. As such you have front and rear drive shafts. The axle shafts connect the differentials to the wheels.. You have 4: Front (L/R) and Rear (L/R).

For the test you can rotate the Drive shaft or each axle shaft separately. If you rotate the drive shaft it will cause the Front ring & Pinion within the diff to rotate which will send power to the axle shaft with the least resistance (open diff). When doing this you will see the axle shaft(s) rotating and if the hubs are working they will lock making the axle shaft impossible to turn.. The other axle shaft would then do the same..

You should have 2 4x4 indicator lights.. Once next to the 4x4 button and the other on the dash.. Do both lights come on? If not then your shift motor isn't shifting the T-case into 4x4..

 

[energie]

okay good to know, thanks
they both come on, dash and the 4x4 switch. but like i said, it takes one try sometime for it to turn on, or 10 tries.

 

[DeRocha]

okay good to know, thanks
they both come on, dash and the 4x4 switch. but like i said, it takes one try sometime for it to turn on, or 10 tries.

Thats indicative of a stop bumper failure (see the shift motor rebuild thread).

You can also place some tape on the front drive shaft... engage 4x4 drive a short distance and if the tape moves you can tell the T-case is working (which would then indicate a hub failure)

 

[ernzo]

Had the same issue. Crawled under the X, and hit the shift motor a few good whacks with a rubber mallet. Worked.

It does not work perfectly, it does get 'lost' from time to time, and my front hubs are schmaltzied.

But the motor did free up and turn.

try it! detailed instructions are available here.

 

[fixxxer]

The percussion fix will only continue to work for only so long before the shift motor stops working all-together. Do yourself a favor and take the hour or two it takes to remove the shift motor, disassemble it, clean the contacts, replace the stop bumper and put it all back together. You will be glad you did and the feeling of real accomplishment will last a long time.

 

[energie]

everytime i pressed the 4x4 dash button, i opened the door and listened under the vehicle and heard a click everytime i pressed it. but like i said the 4x4 light doesnt always come on when i press it the module clicks alot in the back, and i still have yet to test out the hubs. seems pretty confusing.
all i have is a mustang and a streetbike so im new to 4x4

its my winter beater so im hoping its just the hubs, i really cant have it down for too long like taking apart the shift motor. so i hope this is it
do you need a conversion kit for the auto to manual hubs or can you just slap them on?

 

[fixxxer]

The shift motor repair will only cost you a little time, replacing the hubs will cost you some $, not much but free vs. $$$, guess what most people will choose. BTW you will spend as much time or more, replacing the hubs as you will in rebuilding the shift motor and in the end, you will still need to fix that shift motor.

 

[energie]

yeah but only if that is what the problem is. i mean if its the hubs and the shift motor is fine, tearing apart the shift motor is pointless, but the hubs i dont mind spending the money on those because..well manual hubs are the ****
i dunno
i just wanna find out what it is

 

[fixxxer]

The shift motor bumper disintegrating is a VERY COMMON problem, but if you'd rather spend the time and energy on the hubs first, knock yourself out. I'm tired of trying to convince you to start there.

 

[energie]

do you need to take the transfer case off to get to the motor? or can you just take it off on the x?

 

[fixxxer]

The shift motor comes off without any other disassembly.

 

[fixxxer]

check out this thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

 

[energie]

The shift motor comes off without any other disassembly.

okay thanks.
i turned the axleshaft back, it locked and then i tried moving it and it wouldnt move
so that assumes that the hubs work? right?