Four wheel doesn't work..please help a newbie!

[Slamminhoyt]

I FINALLY got my brother's Explorer ...a gift and something to act like a toy for myself. It is a 4wd model, but hasn't worked since he has owned it. You push the actuator buttons and nothing happens. We changed the switch (from a truck we know it worked in), but it still won't work. I got out the current tester and checked the plugs that the actuators 8 blades go into.

Four of them light up...but the other four don't... should there be power to all of them? Is it a possibility that there is a wiring problem "in the dash" or to the transfer case or actuator motor???

Thanks a lot...I appreciate all of the help you can give a newbie!

Jerod M.

 

[Glacier991]

9 times out of 10 it is the shift motor. Do a search using that term and you will find a wealth of info.

 

[DeerSlayer]

From What I've read on the board 9 times out of 10 it is the Transfer Case Motor. If it is this you have a few options.
1) Buy a new motor and install yourself, 185-400 Try ebay I got mine for 185 NEW.
2) Rebuild your current motor and then do it again later or replace it later when it brakes down next.
3) Buy a used one from a junkyard for $100-200?

I highly suggest buying brand new, you most likely will never need to do it again.
There is a few write ups in the board that tell you how to rebuild it.

here is a link to a great bunch of write ups and pictures.
http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/tcase.html

 

[RangerX]

Look at this link, too. Might help you. http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/documents/electric1356/elec1356.htm

 

[DeRocha]

All the above is great info. I would also point yout to the Shift Motor rebuild thread.. It has lots of pics and info on the electronic shift motor.

 

[dufus redbone]

Mine did the the same thing.I unhooked the shift motor,put 12 volts on the wires going into the motor to see if it worked.It did ,so I knew it was'nt the motor.I took the motor off ,took the back of it off and the little plastic bushing that goes around the screw in there was crumbs.I cut a thin piece of 1/4" fuel line pushed it over the screw,put it back together and everything works now.Look at the thread in the post above this one.That is the one I followed.