Automatic 4x4 grinding in gear.

[Dude13450]

Just bought a 96 Explorer auto 4x4. Knew it was running but didn't move.

Makes a grinding noise in any gear other than park. Park acts like neutral in the fact that it freely rolls in park. Grinding sounds like it's coming from the transfer case area.

I did get it to drive once after fiddling with the 4wd switch with the ignition on but engine off (cycled from 2hi to 4hi to 4lo and then straight to 2hi). Drove and shifted fine until I went ahead and tried putting it into 4wd drive. Shut it off and tried the same cycling trick, didn't work the second time.

Is it the 4wd shifting motor is out of sync?

 

[Dude13450]

Really nobody has a suggestion?

How about a video letting you hear the noise?

 

[nameskreen]

When a vehicle loses park it usually means the transfer case is bad

 

[Dude13450]

When a vehicle loses park it usually means the transfer case is bad

Yeah, I found out what it was. I think my 4 wheel drive shift motor is bad (or too weak to shift the t-case), I took it off and tried switching it between the various gears and the motor never moved. Crawled underneath and jiggled the rear driveshaft and tried to engage the t-case actuator by hand and got both the hi and low section to engage and drive.