Any ideas? Truck out of 4low, but engine behaves as in 4low

[DavidMeerbach]

I'm a new member to this forum, and have browsed the threads to see if anyone had run into a similar problem, but nothing so far. Here's the problem:

During the heavy snow two weeks ago in DC, I put the truck (Explorer 98XLT, 96 k) in 4low, and afterwards it remained stuck in 4 low. Tried the usual (neutral, foot on brake, etc), but did not work. Based on some threads in this forum, I removed the transit case, and manually with a pair of pliers I moved the transit back to 2D. That solved the problem of the truck steering like in 4 low, but the engine still behaves like it's in 4 low: heavy sound, slight shaking, and it's clearly still responds to a heavy torque from the transmission. Took it for a spin around 6 miles, not exceeding 20 mph. Tried all - battery off to reset the sensors, rocking the car back and forth, etc. Took it to the workshop (not a Ford specialist), where just based on the engine sound the repair guy diagnosed that the entire engine needs replacement : 2000 US. Seems a bit excessive, especially since there were no engine problems before I put it in 4 low.

Anyone had a similar issue, or any idea what could be the problem here? Many thanks!

 

[XLTmodifire]

Sorry I can not contribute any real help, however the gentleman at the workshop sounds like an ass. I would suggest never going back there again.

I wish you luck to finding a solution to your problem.

 

[lugnuts55]

Have you checked fuses? There are several that the Generic Electronic Module has circuits going through. There also might be one or two having to do with 4WD/AWD. The owners manual should have fuse info in it. If you don't have an owners manual there is a web site where you can get a free one. I believe it's listed in the sticky section at the beginning of the threads. That is where I would start.
Good luck with this one.

 

[corkey]

he is crazy, the engine is probably okay, just rev it up in Neutral see if it revs properly,

 

[my98nnj]

The engine performance does not change with regards to your 4WD selection.
Are you sure it's not still stuck in 4 low?
What is "heavy sound"?
What's shaking? Is the engine missing?
Heavy torque is what's felt in 4 low.

 

[DavidMeerbach]

Some more diagnositics

Guys, thanks for your comments. There is a possibility that the garage guy is right, but if it is an engine issue, it was triggered by this 4low story.

I ran the engine in neutral, and it is trembling slightly lighter than normal, but it won't exceed 2.5 k RPM with full throttle.

All fuses are okay, GEM is okay, so I'm pretty much at a loss.

 

[budwich]

well you need to back up a bit before "agreeing" with the engine "diagnosis". Even IF you putting your truck into 4WLO caused some "unusual engine condition", you should still have been able to take it out of 4WLO without "pulling the transfer case". Your problem is more than likely electrical / sensor. In addition, there is a rev limiter which prevent high revs... so unless you are going down the road doing "full throttle", an "in neutral" rev test isn't going to tell you much.

My "first bet" is your switch is fubarred.... especially since your truck never switched out of 4w lo.... get a meter and test it.

 

[mishawaka]

Disconnect the battery for awhile. Had the same problem and disconnected the battery for about 30 minutes and then it was OK. Worth a shot since it's free.

 

[DavidMeerbach]

Was traveling for two months, so left the car dead in the parking for a while, and now again trying to fix it.

Budwich, problem might be electrical indeed - I had a look at the switch, opened and cleaned it, but the problem stays. Any ideas on how to further test this?

 

[budwich]

with an ohm meter.... IIRC, its a "simple resistance bridge".... basically a different resistance at each step on the switch.

Having said that... what happens if you just leave the switch unplugged??? (I don't know but would figure that the system should "default" to off).

In addition, perhaps your transmission range sensor has an "issue" such that the vehicle can't "tell" that your transmission is in the "right state" (neutral). A ground is "sent" from the sensor to the GEM when your vehicle is in neutral.