4x4 wont engage

[Kotkasp]

My 94 XL with 200,000 miles did good in 4x4, but now the auto 4x4 switch on the dash wont work, I dont know much about this type of thing so any help is appreciated, today I pulled a switch from a junk yard and plugged it in, it did not help, the lights on the switch no longer light up when I push them, I am going to check the connection on the transfer case, any other advice? thanks, Pete

 

[Infragate]

when you push the switch can you hear a clicking sound from the relay in the rear of the truck ( inside)?. Maybe you are not getting any power to the switches. Do you have a multimeter to check for voltage?

 

[agzaretzka]

Test Procedure

To diagnose see this: Alldata test procedure

 

[urbanistic]

Good DOC! If you hear the relay tripping, it may need a shifter motor rebuild and cleaning. Mine will not engage... then I clean the shifter motor, and viola! It could be a continuity issue, hence cleaning and working.

 

[DeRocha]

Hi Pete, welcome to the site.. Your problem is very common on 1st generation explorers (91-94). You can search this site and find many posts on your issue. Please see the Shift motor link in my signature line below to get you started...

 

[Kotkasp]

Thanks alot for the help guys, I'll keep you updated, Pete

 

[appx91]

If is very possibly your 4x4 motor. I have gone through 4 of these motors. The electrical ones in the back drivers side and also the actually engaugement motor on the transfer case.

 

[Kotkasp]

So I banged on the 4x4 shift motor a little and took off and reattached the wiring harness, started the truck and pushed the 4 high button and the light came on for the first time in a long time, but the 4x4, as far as I could tell did not engage, I turned off the truck and restarted it, now it wont light up and I hear the clicking from the sensor in back again, so at this point as a broke guy, with little mechanical inclination, who was supposed to be in Wyoming yesterday, where it is snowing heavily, what do I do, do I go to napa buy the tamper proof hex bits and remove the front plastic piece from the motor, wipe it off put it back on and see if that helps? Or do I wait till tonight and try to get my buddy who is a mechanic to rebuild the motor as i've seen it described here? The part at the dealer is close to 500 bucks and I don't even know for sure it is the shift motor

 

[DeRocha]

You can pick up an OEMNew shift motor for under $200 If needed. IMO the shift motor doesn't get used much and will start to have problems. I have been exactly where you are last year. I took off and cleaned my shift motor twice and it didn't work (even after verifying the sensor positions with a mult meter). Another member suggested the motor was drawing too many amps thus causing the 4x4 controller to not make the switch into 4x4. I took the shift motor out and removed the sensor cover. I was then able to apply power directly to the motor and run it for 30 secs forward and then reversed the wires to run it backwards. I did this serveral times before reinstalling it... The motor has worked every time since then. I make it a habit of pushing 4x4 a min of twice a month to keep it working...