98 ford explorer xlt stuck in 4 wd (electronic shift)

[Zimm]

I was backing up my trailer with my explorer on my driveway and put it in 4 wd low due to ice on the driveway. I am now stuck in 4 wd. I did a little research on how to get out. I took off the shift motor and manually put it in 4 wd high ( I was told that is the position to have it in for auto). Well, I believe it is in 4 high now, and not auto, hence I am still in 4 wd high. Can some one tell me what keeps the vehicle in 2 wd/auto when it is in the 4 high position ( speed sensors?? any thing else?). Also, my shift motor is not moving to different positions, can bad sensors cause this not to work?
any feedback on this topic would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

most likely the shift motor needs a rebuild, but I am not as familiar witht he 98 system (yet)
so hopefully others will chime in with more help.

 

[Zimm]

most likely the shift motor needs a rebuild, but I am not as familiar witht he 98 system (yet)
so hopefully others will chime in with more help.

That would probably fix the shift motor but I don't think it would fix being in the 4 high position and not being in auto. Wouldn't you say. Thanks for the input.

 

[410Fortune]

You mean you cannot get it to the auto position manually?
Truck has to be in N or have the clutch pushed in first.

 

[Zimm]

You mean you cannot get it to the auto position manually?
Truck has to be in N or have the clutch pushed in first.

Right. I took the shift motor off and put it in 4 high ( The dealer told me that is the position to have it in for auto. I assume it is the right position for auto/normal driving), seems to be in 4 high I don't know how to make it auto.

 

[410Fortune]

Okay I see....
Your t case has 2 positions, low and high, high ios the correct position for daily driving, but even with your dash switch int he auto position the truck is still in 4 hi.

Now I get it. Sorry i cant help more.....

 

[Ray Lobato]

Try doing a search for the Brown wire mod. The shift motor only switches the transfercase between HI and LO, but does not actually put you into 4wd. There is a solinoid on the front of the transfercase that does this. This is where the brown wire mod comes into play, it will cut the power to the solinoid and put you back into 2wd.

 

[Zimm]

Okay I see....
Your t case has 2 positions, low and high, high ios the correct position for daily driving, but even with your dash switch int he auto position the truck is still in 4 hi.

Now I get it. Sorry i cant help more.....

U got it. There is also a neutral position on the transfer case. When in that position, even if you put the transmission into drive, you are still in neutral and/or not in gear....that is on mine. I hope that sounds normal.

 

[410Fortune]

that is normal, all hi/lo t cases I know of have N between them.

 

[Zimm]

Try doing a search for the Brown wire mod. The shift motor only switches the transfercase between HI and LO, but does not actually put you into 4wd. There is a solinoid on the front of the transfercase that does this. This is where the brown wire mod comes into play, it will cut the power to the solinoid and put you back into 2wd.

OK, I didn't know that about the solenoid on the front of the tc among other things. I am learning some. I'll check out the brown wire mod thing too. Thanks.

 

[Zimm]

Try doing a search for the Brown wire mod. The shift motor only switches the transfercase between HI and LO, but does not actually put you into 4wd. There is a solinoid on the front of the transfercase that does this. This is where the brown wire mod comes into play, it will cut the power to the solinoid and put you back into 2wd.

What about unhooking the battery, that would cut the power to the solenoid too, allowing it to go into 2 wd right?

 

[410Fortune]

no what he is saying is that you really dont have 2wd, ever.
The only way to get it is to perform the brown wire mod

as soon as you hook the battery back up = auto 4x

 

[Zimm]

no what he is saying is that you really dont have 2wd, ever.
The only way to get it is to perform the brown wire mod

as soon as you hook the battery back up = auto 4x

OK. I really just want it back like it was, auto was fine because if I slipped it kicked in. and it worked well up to this point.

So the brown wire mod gives you 100% 2wd (not 5% in front & 95% in back and will adjust as necessary....(auto)), probably saves on gas anything else? I really hate to mess with all that if I don't have to.

 

[410Fortune]

Search for the Brown wire mod, if I was you I would do it, gives you more options.

 

[Zimm]

Search for the Brown wire mod, if I was you I would do it, gives you more options.

like what?