Can't disengage automatic hubs

[Matt_Wunder]

The other day when I was trying to get my 1994 Ranger 4X4 extended cab 5 speed 4 L out of the snow, I had trouble getting it into 4Wheel. That didn't surprise me because it frequently takes a while for the hubs and low range to engage. I finally got it in 4 wheel (with a clunk) and my wife drove the truck for about 3 miles on a snow/ice packed road. When she finished skiing, she turned on the truck and the 4 wheel indicator light didn't come on. When she got home I discovered that the 4 wheel was engaged but none of the indicator lights were on and now I can't get it out of 4 wheel. I have checked all the fuses in the fuse box and those in the box under the hood. They all seem to be good, based on my testing gage. Is it my mechanic said to check fuse 17, it was missing and when I put in a new one, the AC started working but not the 4 wheel indicators. IS it possible that this circuit is not fused? The Ranger is from Canada and I am not sure if that complicates the problem. At this point one of our two vehicles is inoperable on dry pavement until I can get it out of 4wheel.
Do i have to take the dash out to find a circuit to look at? Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[rwenzing]

The constant power for the Shift Control Module comes from a 20A fuse in the underhood box. The switched power (hot in start/run) comes from fuse 7 in the dash fuse panel.

 

[Burns]

also check the wiring that connects to the transfer itself....

 

[DeRocha]

I'm confussed how did you discover the 4x4 was still on? Did you try and go into 4x4 again by pressing the dash button? You need to read the shift motor thread sticky on repairing a shift motor that has gone awry.. In the mean time you could try tapping the shift motor with a rubber hammer to try and jolt it into making better electrical contact so the 4x4 button press with work.. Otherwise I would remove the shift motor and manually turn the T-case selector shaft back to 2H.. This info should be in the shift motor thread. (I'd post links but I'm not using my computer at the moment)

 

[Matt_Wunder]

I know it is in 4 Wheel because when I was parking the truck, it would buck while moving forward if I turned the front wheels too much.
So you would think the electrical problem would be at the shift motor?
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Matt_Wunder]

Low Voltage at Shift Motor

I got under the truck with my meter to check if there was current getting to the motor. I turned the ignition on and using the center pin of the harness from the truck as the ground, I checked each of the other pins to see what was up. On several pins, I did detect current, but it was about 4.9 volts on all the pins with current. I would assume that it should be 12 volts in the harness. Does this mean that my my problem is behind the dash?
Thanks
Matt

 

[RangerX]

I can't help you, but maybe this website can... http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/documents/electric1356/elec1356.htm

 

[DeRocha]

So the dash 4x4 light(s) and button 4x4 light(s) are off but the T-Case is in 4x4... Very strange... The geared motor sensor is responsible for triggering this lights to come on... Does the T-case seam to be in 4H or 4L? Try re-activating 4x4 (either 4H or 4L depending on what you think its currently in). Otherwise Have you tried to engage 4x4 again?

BTW the function of the 4x4 computer, shift motor, and related wiring is to determine if its "safe" to rotate the "T-Case" selector shaft from its current position to the next position... On a manual system you'd simply have a t-case shift lever on the floor and would shift it any way you wanted (ie the human brain determining if its "safe" to shift the T-case. Obviously a manual system is preferred for its positive engagement, whereas the electronic system came about to satisfy the market... :thumbdwn:

All that being said you can simply remove the shift motor and rotate the T-case selector back to 2H... take a peek @ the Shift motor rebuild Thread for lots of info and pics.

 

[Matt_Wunder]

Luck: but good or bad?

Well I need to use the truck and nothing else has worked yet so I decided to manually shift the transfer case into 2 wheel drive. When i removed the shift motor, I discovered that it indicated 2 wheel drive. I then went to put the shift motor back on and it wouldn't go because the motor socket was turned to 4 wheel high. I tried to turn it back to 2 wheel but I didn't want to use as much force as it would take. So I turned the shaft to 4 wheel high. Then i was able to put the shift motor back on. I then took it for a drive on our snow covered road and it didn't seem to be in 4 wheel drive. Even when I turned sharply there was no bucking or lurching.
Back at the house, I jacked up the truck and tested to see which wheels were turning. The rear wheels turned but the front didn't move a bit. So now that I manually turned it into 4 wheel drive it is not in 4 wheel. The lights on the dash do not light up if I hit the 4 wheel or Low Range buttons. I do hear a clicking behind the seat when i push the 4 wheel button but no lights come on.
So, now that I have manually put it in 4 wheel but the hubs are not engaged and no lights are on, is something wrong with the transfer case, hubs, or my head? Any thoughts?

 

[DeRocha]

So, now that I have manually put it in 4 wheel but the hubs are not engaged and no lights are on, is something wrong with the transfer case, hubs, or my head? Any thoughts?

Did you read the shift motor thread?