4X4 Won't Engage

[Erics Toys]

This is a little wierd. I have manual hubs so I know this is not the problem. I tried to use 4X4 in the snow this morning, I pushed the button and heard a relay clicking in the back driver side panel but no 4X4. Here's where it gets wierd. I tried it several more times on the way to work and after I had driven about 5 miles the relay clicked like 6 times and it went into 4X4. So it seems that the truck needs to be warm before the T-Case will shift. This is a problem because here in Colorado it gets cold and I can't always drive for awhile before shifting into 4 wheel. Does this sound like a shift motor getting weak? Or is it something else?

Thanks

 

[Fhantazm]

I would say 99% that its the shift motor getting weak.

 

[Bashman]

Here is a link to the Singleton maintenance site. Scroll down to "The Transfer Case". There are step by step instructions on how to clean the shift motor.
Dead Link Removed

 

[Bwana Bob]

Shift Motor

Well, before you pull the shift motor, just unplug the electrical connector and clean the contacts. I had the same problem (naturally, it was a cold, cold day with snow on the way). I just pulled the connector off (oops, I broke one of the plastic retaining clips) squirted the contacts with Deoxit, then mated and unmated it a few times to wipe the contacts. No more trouble (but maybe I was lucky!)



Bob

 

[Shurup]

It is really cold here in Edmonton and when my 4x4 won't engage I hit 4lo button right after 4x4 button. then I hit 4lo button again and move truck back a bit. After that 4x4 works fine.

 

[ddenton749]

4WD Motor

You'll probably wind up replacing the 4WD motor. I went through the same thing on my '93, cleaning and trying to adjust it half a dozen times. I eventually bit the $300 bullet and replaced it. It has worked fine ever since. Don't get a used one, go to Ford for new.

 

[hvac man]

This might help might not. Pull the shift motor off ( not hard 10mm socket) take the round cover off the back,(security bolt on some, if so use special bit tip or vice grips) be sure to mark so it goes back together in the same spot. Use "DIALECTRIC" grease to clean it. Wipe out all grease except for a very very very thin film. Place the cover back on in the same position it came off. Plug in the wiring harness re connect ground and try shifting the motor. If this works put it back to gether and try shifting it agian if it works plan on saving for a new motor in the future.

This is the very same thing that happend to me and this is what I did to fix. It has worked since first snow in NOV. I hope it helps.

 

[dbucfan]

Used shift motor with a guarantee at half the price of new and i was golden!!!

 

[Erics Toys]

Thanks for all of the info. I think I will try to take it apart and fix it myself. I like to do that anyway, but I will also run down to the junk yard and pull one as a backup. Just in case. We have a great yard here that is a pull it yourself place with really low prices . They usually have a few EX's laying around.

 

[Skydog]

Hey Bashman. Thanks for link to Singleton's. I was having the same problem as Erics. Popped that bad boy out tested, cleaned and tested. We're 4wheeln' baby!