Mitchs07explorer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- August 14, 2015
- Messages
- 459
- Reaction score
- 102
- Location
- Idaho
- City, State
- Meridian, Idaho
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 97 XLT V8 AWD
07 XLT V6
Just a few questions I have about 4th gen explorers that maybe someone else can explain.
Okay, I've heard the auto 4x4 system explained a couple different ways. I've read somewhere that it's more like all wheel drive where roughly 10% of the power is sent to the front end until the system detects a slip and the the computer starts throwing power where it needs to go. So essentially all the wheels are under some power all the time.
The other way I've heard how it works is more like 4x4 on demand, where the vehicle is rear wheel only until a wheel slip is detected and then the system kicks on. Does anyone know which one it is?
Next question...
So this goes in sync with the first question, I changed my hubs out on the front end. They seem so basic I don't understand how it can be a locking hub (or is it a locking hub?). It seems like the cv axel spins all the time with the wheel, so is the explorer more of an AWD if not actually put in 4x4. Or do the axels always spin with the hubs and then when 4x4 is turned on it locks it in at the diff? If anyone can explain this I'd be grateful.
Okay last question (there's a few parts to it)....
In regards to the transmission, are the solenoids and TCM one unit or can they be replaced separately? and is it the TCM that's responsible for leaning the drivers driving habits to adjust shifting or does the ECM do that? Only reason I ask is because I had a transmission that gave all the indications of worn servo bores. I had the transmission rebuilt and afterwards all the hard shifting and vibrations between shifts stopped. I was good for about 15k and then the transmission would flare between 2nd to 3rd gear, then the shop replaced the solenoids is what I was told. I was good for another 5k and then it would periodically happen again usually only after I'd taken it on road trips or been up in the mountains putting a load on it. When my wife and I used to trade cars a lot I would also notice the shift flare would occur more often. This leads me to believe there could be an issue with the computer that learns to shift based on the driver. I can also unhook the battery for a short period of time and the shift flares go away. Or I can just do normal in town driving for a day or two after the flares start and then it "fixes" itself. Granted the flares never exceed roughly 200rpms it still drives me crazy. Anyone have any answers to any of this stuff?
Okay, I've heard the auto 4x4 system explained a couple different ways. I've read somewhere that it's more like all wheel drive where roughly 10% of the power is sent to the front end until the system detects a slip and the the computer starts throwing power where it needs to go. So essentially all the wheels are under some power all the time.
The other way I've heard how it works is more like 4x4 on demand, where the vehicle is rear wheel only until a wheel slip is detected and then the system kicks on. Does anyone know which one it is?
Next question...
So this goes in sync with the first question, I changed my hubs out on the front end. They seem so basic I don't understand how it can be a locking hub (or is it a locking hub?). It seems like the cv axel spins all the time with the wheel, so is the explorer more of an AWD if not actually put in 4x4. Or do the axels always spin with the hubs and then when 4x4 is turned on it locks it in at the diff? If anyone can explain this I'd be grateful.
Okay last question (there's a few parts to it)....
In regards to the transmission, are the solenoids and TCM one unit or can they be replaced separately? and is it the TCM that's responsible for leaning the drivers driving habits to adjust shifting or does the ECM do that? Only reason I ask is because I had a transmission that gave all the indications of worn servo bores. I had the transmission rebuilt and afterwards all the hard shifting and vibrations between shifts stopped. I was good for about 15k and then the transmission would flare between 2nd to 3rd gear, then the shop replaced the solenoids is what I was told. I was good for another 5k and then it would periodically happen again usually only after I'd taken it on road trips or been up in the mountains putting a load on it. When my wife and I used to trade cars a lot I would also notice the shift flare would occur more often. This leads me to believe there could be an issue with the computer that learns to shift based on the driver. I can also unhook the battery for a short period of time and the shift flares go away. Or I can just do normal in town driving for a day or two after the flares start and then it "fixes" itself. Granted the flares never exceed roughly 200rpms it still drives me crazy. Anyone have any answers to any of this stuff?
