Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I'm not up to date with what changed when, but (at least on my '98), the motor isn't involved in engaging 4WD (4x4 high), only in changing the ratio to 4WD low. 4WD high on mine is a separate, electromagnetic clutch.
Motor has nothing to do with the auto setting or 4wd. It is controlled by a special electromagnetic clutch.
When you set 4x4 low, two relays click and drive the motor, which has resistive pads with an A-B-C-D position. The brake must be pressed and the transmission in N. These pads tell the computer when to stop. If the connections are bad, you can get flashing 4wd lights (because it can't find the position). There is also a neutral tow position. With the right scan tool, you can see everything under the covers.
The motor turns a screw and pushes a shift fork into position. 4x4 low can also fail because it is never used. This system is still used on a 2021 F150.
Our 95-96 trucks also have hardware to break the front axle for true 2WD. The latest explorers have a similar system (but no low range). The air solenoid part is still used on new F150s (but they have vacuum hubs, ours has an axle disconnect on the right).
^ Good point, though when the service mgr stated "oh the light was on when we pulled it in!" instead of addressing their mistake (if it was one), the end result for the vehicle owner is the same.
I'm not up to date with what changed when, but (at least on my '98), the motor isn't involved in engaging 4WD (4x4 high), only in changing the ratio to 4WD low. 4WD high on mine is a separate, electromagnetic clutch.
I'm quite certain. The shift motor only changes between the high and low gear ratio, not whether the front wheels are engaged.
This is (for better or worse) a leap in tech. Mine is normally in rear 2WD, and using speed sensors, automatically energizes the electromagnetic clutch in the transfer case to activate 4WD when it senses slippage, is the only way they could do this automatic 4WD feature given the tech at the time.
Whether 2WD or 4WD depends entirely on the electromagnetic clutch, and only the low gear range depends on the shift motor. If you wanted to disable the 4WD (aka brown wire mod to disable the electro-clutch) you could literally run this setup in 2WD low using the shift motor alone.
