4x4 Switch Not Working Properly

[oc3racing]

Heys guys, I have a 91 Sport 4x4, and the push button doesn't work well. If the weather is fine it will switch over, but if its cold it can take up to 15x to switch on the 4 wheel drive. Also my 4 low never works. Any input is greatly appreciated. If you can email me at ochaudh@yahoo.com
Thanks
Omar
91 Sport 4x4

 

[Gary Steeber]

Omar,
Your Transfer case shift motor probably needs some attention.
Use this link to find info on repairing the shift motor
Dead Link Removed

Also, try use the Search button on the top of the Explorer page, you can find info on about any questions you may have pertaining to Explorers.

Oh, welcome to the Explorer site.

 

[PROTEUS]

About the LR. Maybe you're not operating well the system. The Low Range never will engage if the transmission isn't in neutral.

 

[oc3racing]

4x4 Switch...

Thanks for the input. I've tried to operate the 4 low in neutral with the brake depressed, no luck. Also the only posts I've seen about the switch is that the lights flash. Mine have never flashed. I can only get the 4 high on when the car is warm or its warm outside. Otherwise it will not engage.
91 Sport 4x4

 

[LS431o28]

Not sure if this will help but I had a similar problem yet mine ouldnt engage at all. there is a little motor on the tranny that i pulled off and disassembled clean up the contacts they have i think three rows that contacts slide on so i cleaned those up and it works fine now. I had some grease and corrosion on the constacts.

Hope this is of some help for you.

 

[oc3racing]

Thanks...

Thanks for the info on cleaning the motor. I'll try that. I bet thats why it will only work only in warm weather.
Thanks

 

[Josh S.]

When I first inherited my x, the 4x4 wouldn't work so I took it to ford and got raped up the ass but at least it works now. They put in a new shift motor and module, but like that guy said you should check your connections and crap

 

[Josh S.]

also, its recommended-if you don't do this automatically-that you engage your 4x4 about once a month just to get the things moving inside. Mine hadn't been used in like 5 years when I got it so it wouldn't even try to engage. Just my .69cents

 

[sharonis3]

My 91 was dead on the 4x4 switch on the dash. No lights, no click from the controller at the back, by the rear washer tank. I checked the limit switches and they showed to be connected and non-connected as the charts show. The last thing I did was put 12 volts on the motor manually to move it from 2 to 4 wheel. The motor moved, then the switches and lights on the dash worked.

Why would this make it worK???

I did notice about 150 Ohms resistance on one limit switch, while the other one was only around 7 Ohms. Would this be part of the problem?
:redexp: :redexp: :redexp: :redexp: :redexp:

 

[Josh S.]

You are above my reading comprehension level...

 

[410Fortune]

Rebuild the shift motor.

It's easy.

There is a rubber grommet in there that gets old and cracks and falls apart. Sometimes the piece of rubber can cause the motor to stick, sometimes it is the water and dirt that gets in there once the grommet is toasted that cause the motor to stick. IN either case it is simple to rebuild. I have redone 3 of them to date and all 3 work perfectly still. Just make sure to mark the motor case and the top before you take it apart so you can lign it back up exaclty.

Also sometimes they actually turn a little in their mount and this can cause it not to work, a tap with a hammer can get it to shift, but it's on it's way out.

Basically if you push the 4x4 button and NOTHING happens the motor is bad 99% of the time. If you push te button and it flashes twice but nothing shifts, 99% of the time the motor is toast. If you have high range and then push the button to low range and the truck is in neautral and nothing happens, guess what, 99% OF THE TIME THE MOTOR IS TOAST.


The autohubs can also cause 4x4 shift problems, but those things should already be in the trash if you are going off road.........

Ford and junk yards make a killing replacing these motors at $400+ ea, hell I could probably quit my job and spend all day replacing them for that much. Mine has got 230K miles on it and I havent had to rebuild it yet, but I will. Seems the older ones hold up better (mine is an 88, I have rebuilt a 91, 93, and a 94)

The full size trucks use the same motor, if you ever see one of these suckers still on the truck ina junk yard, grab it! it is rare to find a truck with one still there but if you do BUY IT!!!!!