4x4 system

[Cooper1]

Good evening, I just picked up my 2002 explorer last week and I am led to believe that it has the faulty 4x4 module that I have read so much about. My question is this. With this 4x4 system not working, what is the "default" drivetrain setting? Is it regularly just rwd or will it always be in 4x4 auto?
Thanks for any response.
Coop

 

[Triton8273]

4WD Auto is 2WD

 

[Cooper1]

So should it not just be labeled "2wd" or the such?
Thanks for your response Mate.
Cooper

 

[Triton8273]

No because for the 2002-2005 Explorer Ford came out with this "Brilliant" AKA "STUPID" Idea for a 4X4 Auto system.

When you are in 4X4 Auto, you are in 2WD, but if either of the rear wheels slips it will send a signal to the transfer case and send power to the front wheels and now your in 4Wd when you really shouldn't be. The 4X4 Auto system was a terrible idea, It's a PITA and puts unnecessary war on the truck.

Many of us have done a simple modification to our trucks called the "Brown Wire Mod" which interrupts the signal to the transfercase, shutting down the 4X4 Auto as well as 4X4 in general and we can simply turn it back on and now we have 4WD.

If you feel you will have the need for 4Wd at any point then I would get the problem fixed, if not then don't worry about it.

 

[Cooper1]

Ok, brilliant.
So with the 4x4 module not working....if this slippage occured would power still be able to be sent to the front wheels automaticly?
Cooper

 

[Exproblems]

Ok, brilliant.
So with the 4x4 module not working....if this slippage occured would power still be able to be sent to the front wheels automaticly?
Cooper

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I would say, no to your question since your 4x4 module is broken. You shouldn't have 4WD working at this time until you replace the module. Another PITA thing about these Auto 4x4 systems is you need to keep all 4 tires in the same size, tread pattern and make sure your wheel alignment is correct. Just one tire more worn down than the other can set off the auto 4x4 system and you will feel it trying to engage the 4 WD in one of the front wheels as you drive along. The uneven tire makes the system think it is sensing wheel slippage. You'll hear a brief clunk or bang when it is trying to engage, it's normal. There are two fuses you can pull to disable the Auto 4x4 system from kicking in if you ever have to drive with a different size or uneven tire on the vehicle. Fuses #17 & #18 disable the Auto 4x4 system. I got that fuse infromation from a post in here last year.

 

[Cooper1]

Outstanding! Thank you for all responses.
Cooper

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard Coop!!

On a side note: check the ground wire on the transfer case shift motor first.

When my 4x4 was not working I replaced the dash switch and the control module with no luck. It turned out to be a bad ground on the shift motor.

No sense in throwing parts at it if you don't have to!