98 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4wheel drive not working

[chad551]

I hope I dont get into trouble for posting this for someone else but they are trying to go on the Colorado run next week.

It seems his t-case is functioning but the wheels are not engaging???

I can hear and feel the motor kick when I put it into 4low just no power to the front wheels. I would asume 4high is the same just cant hear anything. Ive searched the forums and come up with nothing, what I know is there is a vacuum controled disconnect in the front end controlled by the GEM but as fare as locations or what to look for I stumped. As far as the relay goes I think mine is #6 in my engine compartment fuse box. I think the relay is fine. Is there a way I can check it?

 

[joker1457]

Chad was nice enough to post this, Now Im Elite so a little help, Thanks all

 

[techieman33]

You shouldn't have the vacuum disconnect, your axle is live all the time, if 4wd is engaged at the transfer case you should be in 4wd.

 

[joker1457]

Well now Im stumped, if thats the case and I dont have the vacuum. Why do I feel it going in but dont have 4x4. I know it worked on Sunday but only once went to put it back in and it was gone. Could the transfer cas be going bad, or low on fluid? I miss the old days of having to shift it in. Curious what is the Bubble thing in the passenger side wheelwell for it has vacuum lines going into it?

 

[techieman33]

That canister is for cruise control and hvac mostly

 

[joker1457]

Good to know, So I Talked to Ford and they said there shouldnt be any reason for the front not get power, as Techieman stated it is a live axle. So now I have a saveer Diff problem or Transfer case problem Right?

 

[chad551]

Like I posted in the other thread it is likely the relay or the shift motor. You can also jack the front end spin the wheels and verify your driveshaft is spinning. That will rule out the front diff. Then switch the t-case to 4wd and see what happens.

 

[joker1457]

Like I posted in the other thread it is likely the relay or the shift motor. You can also jack the front end spin the wheels and verify your driveshaft is spinning. That will rule out the front diff. Then switch the t-case to 4wd and see what happens.

OK, so I think we can eliminate the shift motor just cause I can feel and hear it going in, and I have 2low. I guess that would mean the Transfer case isnt shot right? I guess I need to figure out where that relay is. I think your Sport Trac's relay is in a different location, but your guess is as good as mine.

 

[joker1457]

So update I put the front up on stands and put it into 4wheel, in gear the front locked up. I couldnt rotate the wheel with front driveshaft. If it Was in nuetral I could rotate both front wheels. They spin the oppisite direction of eachother and have full power to one if the other is held. To me everything seems to be working properly, put it back on the ground no 4x4 still, HELP

 

[techieman33]

Have you put the rear on jack stands also? Put it in 4wd and put it in gear and see if the front tires spin with the back tires. Just be warned this is possibly a dangerous situation, there is a chance it could fall off of the jack stands. So don't have anyone standing real close, and have someone inside of it the whole time to stop it should it fall off and start rolling away.

 

[joker1457]

Have you put the rear on jack stands also? Put it in 4wd and put it in gear and see if the front tires spin with the back tires. Just be warned this is possibly a dangerous situation, there is a chance it could fall off of the jack stands. So don't have anyone standing real close, and have someone inside of it the whole time to stop it should it fall off and start rolling away.

I planned on doing that next, but Im still wondering whats causing the issue. Like I stated above the tranfer case is going in and the front drive shaft is solid when in gear, but if shes on the ground the front wheels dont get any power. Ill let you know what I find out after putting it on the stands.

 

[gmanpaint]

Could be a variety of problems going on inside the t-case.

If it still drives, and shifts through the gears, your chain, and clutch pack are still working.

So, it could be something else.
"IF" the shift fork slider tabs have broke off, the fork could be jamming up and not allowing the 4x4 to engage completely.
"IF" the helical drive ramp needle broke off, it could be jamming up as well.
"IF" a bearing case is shot and fallen apart inside it would cause jamming as well.

I would remove the shift motor and turn the shift rail by hand. Just because you hear it engaging does not mean it is. It will turn the shift rail as far as it can and stop.

By turning by hand, you can figure out a thing or two. If the rail turns with little resistance, and clicks into H or L, that's a good sign that nothing is jammed, and all is working. If you can turn it, but it gets harder to turn the more you crank on it, that's a good sign something is jammed up. It will feel as if a spring is on it, the farther you turn, the harder it gets. When it is functioning the way it should, it will be easy to turn with small pliers, and you feel a "click" when it goes into H or L. It does not turn all the way around, so don't force it past the marks stamped on the case.

If this turns out to be working correctly, make sure your ABS is working, NO dash light on. Abs and 4x4 run hand in hand on some models, you need both working properly for 4x4 to work. On mine the 4x4 gets it's signal from the ABS module.

Post back, let us know how its going.

 

[IZwack]

... or the shift motor.

So, it could be something else.
"IF" the shift fork slider tabs have broke off, the fork could be jamming up and not allowing the 4x4 to engage completely.
"IF" the helical drive ramp needle broke off, it could be jamming up as well.
"IF" a bearing case is shot and fallen apart inside it would cause jamming as well.

This doesnt apply to a 2nd gen - there is no "shifting" when 4wd is engaged, its just an electromagnet, the shift motor is not involved (only during LO range is it used).

I'd say the transfer case is working. Maybe your clutch discs (in the transfer case) are just worn out. Also dont forget 4wd on a 2nd gen isnt a gear engagement (its clutch discs provisioned by the electromagnet) so it can "slip".

 

[gmanpaint]

This doesnt apply to a 2nd gen - there is no "shifting" when 4wd is engaged, its just an electromagnet, the shift motor is not involved at all (only during LO range is it used).

I was not speaking of the shift motor shifting, I was speaking of shifting through gears, such as 1-2-D-etc...Transmission gears.
All the above mentioned are proplem's that can happen in a 4405 t-case.

 

[IZwack]

Then I'm confused, I didnt know the transmission had a helical drive ramp and fork slider tabs.

 

[joker1457]

Well heres the update, I put it up on stands and everything seems to be working 4high and 4low. So if it works in the air why wouldnt it work on the ground, Im not getting any binding if I make a really sharp turn with it in 4x4. Am I wrong or shouldnt it have issues with sharp turning in 4x4? Im going to try changing the fluid and seeing what comes of that. Maybe the clutch packs are shot and the wheels on the ground give it just enough presure not to work.

 

[IZwack]

Although it should bind, testing the 4wd by trying to make it bind on pavement is probably asking for transfer case carnage.

At this point, I'd say the problem is mechanical (worn clutches maybe, or a broken "ramp" gear that pushes on the clutch pack). I wouldn't bother changing the fluid.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[joker1457]

So is this an easy fix are parts hard to come by, or is it easier for me to pull one out if a yard. Second if it works in the air and I cant stop the front tires by hand whats the chances that it is really working and Ive lost my mind?

 

[techieman33]

Does it spin the rear tires? You say you've put it in 4x4 low, when you do do the rear tires spin? If the front isn't engaging flooring it should roast some tire.

 

[joker1457]

Does it spin the rear tires? You say you've put it in 4x4 low, when you do do the rear tires spin? If the front isn't engaging flooring it should roast some tire.

All four spin when off the ground, on the ground I have a 2x4, in 4high and low and yes the rear does spin and I get nothing up front.