'93 Sport - Won't Shift in 4-wheel. Lots of Snow!

[CodePoet]

yep probably shift motor. Anyway this spring i'm going rebuild my hubs while I have everything off replacing wheel bearings. I figure with 125000 miles I might as well do it. I have been thinking though that there (i beleive) are plastic components in the hubs...i'm going to machine new parts out of steel...it'll be free so no big deal. I started a thread about it last week...but no one wanted to comment on it . Don't want to hijack the thread...what do you all think? Stupid idea or not?

Later
CP

 

[DeRocha]

Good to hear your 4x4 is back on-line... As you have already noted the inner conncections within the shift motor sometimes need a little coaxing to get a good connection. I like to think of it like jumpstarting a car; sometimes you have to reposition the cables on the battery several times until it makes good contact.

 

[4x4eXpLoDr]

i was having the same problem with my four wheel drive but it turnede out not to be my motor but my hubs on the driver side. the tooth on the inside that makes contact with the axle was completely broken 5 bucks at a junkyard to get a new one. most places wanted me to but the whole dang front end which is about 175 or more

 

[Az_NavajoRob]

I just got done converting my hubs to manual, even though only one was bad. I found all the parts I needed to fix my bad hub from a guy here on the board, Kris (KrisGuilbeaux [kguilbeaux@cox-internet.com]).

The good news is that they are real easy to test. With your Ex in 2wd, crawl underneath with a pair of gloves, a long screwdriver, and a flashlight. Turn the front driveshaft and watch the axle shafts coming out of the front differential. You should see the axleshafts turn a liitle bit then feel a "click" as the hub clicks itself locked and then the shat won't turn anymore (unless you've got the tire off the ground in which case the wheel sould turn). If one side clicks and the shaft stops turning but the other side still turns then that's the side with a broken hub. Now jam the screwdriver in the u-joint of the one that is broken and see if the good hub holds so that you cannot turn the driveshaft any more. Of course, if you've put a locker in the front diff then you can't check them this way. If you have a front limited slip then you may be able to get enough muscle on the driveshaft to get the clutches inside the diff to slip, thus acting like an open differential.

Now that you know if your hubs are good, check your t-fer case. While under the vehicle, have someone switch the ignition to the run position (do not start it up). After all the electric noises stop, have them push the 4x4 button while you have your bare hand on the t-fer case shift motor (looks like a power window motor). You should feel it whir and hear it hum as it activates. Now turn the front driveshaft again. If it is in 4x4 then it will only turn a little then stop. If it still turns like before then the case is still in 2wd. Ask your helper if the 4x4 light is on - it shouldn't be if the motor didn't move. Try thumping the motor a couple of time with something while your helper pushes the button and see if anything happens. If you take the motor off, you can get a pair of pliers or vice grips on the shaft coming out of the transfer case and rotate it ccw (I think) to manually put it in 4wd. Also, with the shift motor out you can have your helper push the button again and see if the wheel inside turns. The contacts that lights the dash LED's, and tells the controller what position the wheel is in are located on this wheel and is what most often gets dirty and causes the t-fer case not to be engaged.

Sorry for the long post, hope it helps.

 

[DeRocha]

I learned something new today...Thank you!. I never had a problem with my Hubs (yet) but your post makes complete sense. I will be able to trouble shoot in record time now...

 

[skypilotmischif]

the same place (different branch) that did the brake job did an alignment on my Ex. i think they might have put the hubs back together incorrect. is there anyplace to find an exploded view to see how they go together correctly?
thanks.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Easiest thing to check is to make sure they didn't pack grease into the assemblies. Diagrams have been posted of the hubs, so searching may produce the thread with them.

 

[TheGreatOne]

does anyone have a picture of what the shift motor looks like?? Service manual? Etc? My 4WD is doing the same thing, no lights, no 4WD.

Also, are there any fuses specific to te 4WD system I should check?? I can't find anything in the manual.

Also, this 4X4 computer I saw mentioned...where exactly is it? Should it be in the back behind the plastic cover where the tire iron is stored?? If so...I think I have a really funny explanation as to why my 4WD isn't working....

 

[DeRocha]

The Shift Motor is attached to the backside of the Transfer Case. The 4x4 module is connected in the trunck area where the tire iron is stored.

 

[DeRocha]

The 4x4 controller is the box to the right of the washer fluid reservoir.

 

[TheGreatOne]

hahaha!! That's hilarious!

Back over the summer, I replaced my HU...and then none of my speakers worked. I removed that box blindly assuming it was the stock amplifier. Still, nothing worked. I wound up giving a stereo guy a few bucks to get everything working and never thought of the "mystery box" again.

Ok, so I'm going to go junkyard shopping for a new one, hopefully I can reinstall it and everything will be fine. Does the computer have to be off a 92 XLT, or can i use one off another year (say like 91-94)?

And just so I know, where again would the factory amplifier for the stereo be??

 

[DeRocha]

The stock amp is located on the right side of the vehicle as seen in the picture below. I assume any 1st Gen controller would work, but I'm not 100% positive.

 

[TheGreatOne]

what years are considered 1st gen??

I will try to find a 92 to take it out of, just want to know incase I can't. Winter snow is getting close!

Do you know where I can get a part number if worse comes to worse and I need to just buy a new one?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[TPLYNCH]

'91-'94 is 1st gen. I you need a new one, try contacting Torrie at FordPartsNetwork.com.

 

[MikesPrincess10]

4WD Troubles

Hi Guys! I am new to this site,but, everyone seems to be very friendly & always willing to help! I am having trouble with my 4WD as well. I am getting hot power FROM the motor in the transfer case TO the switch in the dash, but NOTHING FROM the switch TO the motor? Any suggestions as to why? or what to check out now? I am also looking for the wiring schematic diagram for this set of wires! Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanx, Theresa

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site Theresa.
The switch in the dash does NOT send power directly to the shift motor. It sends a signal to the 4x4 controller (pictured in post #30). The controller will only energize the circuit if the geared selector indicates it is in a known location (2H - 4H - 4L). Follow the shift motor link in my sig line and search for "Shift motor" and you'll get a ton of info... The Explorer maintenance site contained a lot of great info, but it is currently offline.

 

[MikesPrincess10]

Thanx So Much for the help!

Hi DeRocha, Thanx for the welcome & info! I printed the pix (#30) the other day, which proved to be extremely helpful because we didn't know what that box was?? So, thanx also goes to the guy who thought it was his Amp! (No disrespect intended!) I went to the "Shift Motor" thread you sent and printed it out for my Husband & our Mechanic and will be sure to pass it along as a guigeline for them! Again, thanx for all your help & knowledge! A BIG THANX also goes to EVERYONE for sharing their problems, experiences, solutions & input....It truly is a Godsend for some of us!! Hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY & SAFE NEW YEAR!!

 

[93XLTrusty]

Well I dont know what I did, but the transfer case is working now!!! I have shifted in and out of 4x4 twice with no problem! I tested it out on some dirt, just to make sure it was working......

Thanks for all the help guys. I am definately going to take your advice and use the 4x4 at least once a month. I know the manual says not to use 4x4 on pavement, but is a few miles ok?

Again, thanks!

 

[DeRocha]

Well I dont know what I did, but the transfer case is working now!!! I have shifted in and out of 4x4 twice with no problem! I tested it out on some dirt, just to make sure it was working......

Thanks for all the help guys. I am definately going to take your advice and use the 4x4 at least once a month. I know the manual says not to use 4x4 on pavement, but is a few miles ok?

Again, thanks!

Good to near its working..

A few miles of pavement is no problem, just avoid sharp turns or you'll feel the front end bind.. I generally engage 4x4 while going down a straight road at 20mph or less. I travel maybe a half mile then switch it off. The shift motor only gets used during the shift on and off so I'll repeat the above a few more times.

 

[MikesPrincess10]

Ok Guys....STILL having trouble

Well, we've followed everyone's advice and done all suggestions, but STILL, NOTHING!! Please help! We've taken the motor apart, cleaned brushes, disconnected the battery, checked the wires, checked all points in the switch, did the test on the controller in the L/R wheel well by pushing the white button and the light was blinking, which someone said, in that case, it was the motor, but, we know the motor WORKS (we had the truck on a lift and if engaged manually, all 4 wheels spin), we also know the hubs are good, so, now what???? We are stumped!! Any other suggestions? Does anyone have the wiring schematic for this? If so, could you please send me a copy?! (MikesPrincess104@Yahoo.com) Thanx