Buttons to energize 4WD do not work

[Trapdoor]

The two buttons on the upper center of the dash on my 1992 Explorer 4WD do not function. I have checked the 15A fuze in the fuze panel (by the way, where is the "handle" referred to in the owners manual?) and also the one in the Power Distrubution Module under the hood. The owners manual calls for a 40A breaker here and the module calls out the 20A breaker that is installed and apparently intact.

ANY help would be appreciated. I haven't owned this car long and want to know how to engage the 4WD.

 

[SportlineXLT]

Do the buttons light up? Are they recieving power? To engage 4X4 (4 HI) you need to hold the button in until the light comes on. To engage 4 Low, you need to be in Park or Neutral and under 3MPH, and hold the button in. Each buttons light next to it should illuminate after a few seconds of being depressed, along with the appropriate dash light (4x4, 4 Low).

 

[Trapdoor]

Thanks for the tip; I'll try it and post the results. Perhaps I didn't hold the button down long enough.

 

[elkhunter]

I am having bad problems with our 91. A minor problem was that it wouldn't light up for 4 low. I found a vacuum line on the right side of the transmission shifting mechanism. I hooked it back up and that part works now. I wished the rest of my problem was that easy.

 

[924wdbeginer]

I have a 92 as well and neither one of my buttons work ( nor the lights). I have done everything that the onwers manual has said to do but nothing.

 

[Trapdoor]

This is the same spot I'm in, so any ideas are appreciated!

 

[TPLYNCH]

Do you hear a clicking noise from the rear when you press the button? There is a relay in the rear compartment. If you don't hear clicking, test the module. Search for how to test 4x4 relay for more info.

 

[DeRocha]

On first Gens the shift motor is the most likely culprit.. Please see the link in my sig line.

 

[924wdbeginer]

Okay I have read over the link that you have for the shift motor, I can sit inside the ex and press the 4x4 button and look at the battery gauge and see that it is going down like power is trying to be givin to 4x4. I cant remember if I heard a click noise or not. I will have to continue this post after I get it back from the transmission shop.

 

[Glacier991]

in far and away the majority of cases it is shift motor related. Try a search for Shift Motor. The "Useful Threads forum has a link to "The Explorer Maintenance manual" check that out too.