Auto AWD not working

[bfsgross]

Hello fellas. I have a 97 Explorer XLT Control Trac. The AWD works in full time AWD but not in the Auto. AWD setting of selector switch. Mucho help aprreciated.

 

[drdoom]

You might try cleaning the sensors in the transfer case. Because in 4AUTO if your front axle is not kicking in when you lose traction in the rear, there may be some kind of communication problem to the GEM. Check all that wiring down there too.

 

[bfsgross]

Thank you Dr. Doom. Are you suggesting going into the transfer case to clean sensors or are they accessible from the exterior?

 

[Z-boy]

What do you think is the best setting for AWD - I know there's slippery, snow, mud, sand settings but was wondering what everyone likes for the best AWD experience. I've been using slippery in the snow and slush, and it seems pretty good but was wondering if snow setting is better... Can anyone enlighten me as to what setting feels the best when driving in snow and slippery conditions. Also, once you select a drive option does it stay in that option or automatically change when the vehicle senses slippage? Thank you!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

What do you think is the best setting for AWD - I know there's slippery, snow, mud, sand settings but was wondering what everyone likes for the best AWD experience. I've been using slippery in the snow and slush, and it seems pretty good but was wondering if snow setting is better... Can anyone enlighten me as to what setting feels the best when driving in snow and slippery conditions. Also, once you select a drive option does it stay in that option or automatically change when the vehicle senses slippage? Thank you!

id say for snow use snow LOL. is that considered deep snow, or just snow? to my knowledge slippery is for the icy kinds of roads. and one you select a mode it stays in th mode, IE eco will not behave like slippery, it will try its best within the eco parameters iirc

 

[CDW6212R]

The V6 trucks all have a 4WD system, none had AWD except the V8 models.

What you have is auto 4WD, just like the newest 6th gen which are too, auto 4WD. That means in the auto position, it is in 2WD, RWD, constantly, until it senses a difference in speeds of the two drive shafts. Then it instantly(as fast as it can) engages the front driveshaft, by way of an internal clutch inside the transfer case.

So you should leave it it A4WD all the time, it does nothing until it senses a need for the front tires to be driven. If you mash the gas with any tire on a sketchy surface(ice, snow, wet leaves, dirt, grass etc), you should feel a slippage of at least one rear tire, and the engagement of the fronts. Often people have called it clunky, which is the feeling of when the front driveshaft is initially grabbed each time.

The V8 AWD has no delay and should never have any odd feeling when you hit the gas. On a wet road or partially in grass, the real AWD and the 302 will slightly spin a tire. I hardly ever feel that, but I remember feeling it constantly with my 99 V6 A4WD Explorer, I always had the right tires on grass or dirt along the edge of the road.

 

[Z-boy]

The V6 trucks all have a 4WD system, none had AWD except the V8 models.

What you have is auto 4WD, just like the newest 6th gen which are too, auto 4WD. That means in the auto position, it is in 2WD, RWD, constantly, until it senses a difference in speeds of the two drive shafts. Then it instantly(as fast as it can) engages the front driveshaft, by way of an internal clutch inside the transfer case.

So you should leave it it A4WD all the time, it does nothing until it senses a need for the front tires to be driven. If you mash the gas with any tire on a sketchy surface(ice, snow, wet leaves, dirt, grass etc), you should feel a slippage of at least one rear tire, and the engagement of the fronts. Often people have called it clunky, which is the feeling of when the front driveshaft is initially grabbed each time.

The V8 AWD has no delay and should never have any odd feeling when you hit the gas. On a wet road or partially in grass, the real AWD and the 302 will slightly spin a tire. I hardly ever feel that, but I remember feeling it constantly with my 99 V6 A4WD Explorer, I always had the right tires on grass or dirt along the edge of the road.

I guess my question would be, what happens to the engine or what changes in the drive shaft or transmission when each option is selected, what's the difference between slipping in snow and slipping on ice/snow slush? Slipping is slipping and snow can make you slip also, so can mud so.... Is there an option where 4WD is always on? If slippery is selected does that mean all tires are engaged all the time or it adjusts when it senses slipping? Which is the best setting for always on 4WD? Thank you for your time.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The V6 trucks all have a 4WD system, none had AWD except the V8 models.

What you have is auto 4WD, just like the newest 6th gen which are too, auto 4WD. That means in the auto position, it is in 2WD, RWD, constantly, until it senses a difference in speeds of the two drive shafts. Then it instantly(as fast as it can) engages the front driveshaft, by way of an internal clutch inside the transfer case.

So you should leave it it A4WD all the time, it does nothing until it senses a need for the front tires to be driven. If you mash the gas with any tire on a sketchy surface(ice, snow, wet leaves, dirt, grass etc), you should feel a slippage of at least one rear tire, and the engagement of the fronts. Often people have called it clunky, which is the feeling of when the front driveshaft is initially grabbed each time.

The V8 AWD has no delay and should never have any odd feeling when you hit the gas. On a wet road or partially in grass, the real AWD and the 302 will slightly spin a tire. I hardly ever feel that, but I remember feeling it constantly with my 99 V6 A4WD Explorer, I always had the right tires on grass or dirt along the edge of the road.

it seems Zbo has a 21 X, which isnt the v8 awd on the 2nd gens

I guess my question would be, what happens to the engine or what changes in the drive shaft or transmission when each option is selected, what's the difference between slipping in snow and slipping on ice/snow slush? Slipping is slipping and snow can make you slip also, so can mud so.... Is there an option where 4WD is always on? If slippery is selected does that mean all tires are engaged all the time or it adjusts when it senses slipping? Which is the best setting for always on 4WD? Thank you for your time.

in slippery it slows throttle response whereas to avoid over throttling gives it a 50/50 split (no bias) and i assume modulates brake/ESC more aggressively. in snow it wakes up a bit more to keep you pushing through deep snow (ie drifts/banks) where high throttle is needed to clear the tires, liek with mud. pretty sure its made to do a 50/50 and try to keep equal power on all 4 corners, as opposed to slippery more aggressively mitigating slip