Front transfer case always engaged?

[sehaare]

On my 98 V6 SOHC. I think that my front transfer case might be always engaged (locked in). Is this possible without the 4 WD light being on? Any easy way to to verify this?

Thanks
Steve

 

[my98nnj]

If was in 4wd you'd have a binding issue while turning on dry ground.

 

[Brandon96]

First off, do you have AWD or 4x4?

If AWD then yes, technically it's always in 4x4.

If not, an easy way, if you have access, is to either put it up on a lift, or jack both ends up (SAFELY) and carefully put it in drive and check.

 

[JDraper]

Define what you mean by your "front transfer case". The vehicle only has one transfer case. It does have front and rear differentials.

On a '98 with either 4WD or AWD, all the drivetrain components are turning all the time. They do not disconnect like the Gen 1 Explorers do.

As said above, when turning a corner on dry pavement, you would get binding if the transfer case were in 4WD mode.

 

[sehaare]

Define what you mean by your "front transfer case". The vehicle only has one transfer case. It does have front and rear differentials.

On a '98 with either 4WD or AWD, all the drivetrain components are turning all the time. They do not disconnect like the Gen 1 Explorers do.

As said above, when turning a corner on dry pavement, you would get binding if the transfer case were in 4WD mode.

I'm getting noises from the front end when turning sharply on dry pavement, I'm trying to figure out if it is stuck in 4WD (not AWD) or if the noise is from something else. I've felt that the 4WD was a little flaky for a while now and I'm trying to rule that out.

Thanks
Steve

 

[weh87]

get in some dirt or grass and put the gas to floor. you will find out for sure then

 

[2TimingTom]

If not, an easy way, if you have access, is to either put it up on a lift, or jack both ends up (SAFELY) and carefully put it in drive and check.

All 4 tires will still turn regardless. Reason- the rear wheels will begin to turn once placed in DRIVE but the computer will see that the rear wheels are turning but the fronts aren't and engage the front wheels. Weren't all 4wd 2nd gen Explorers fitted with the Controltrac system at some point?

Same thing with the dirt/grass experiment.

 

[Glen4X4]

Woah....lets clear this up all V6's were only offered in 2wd and 4wd, 97+ had auto 4wd meaning no true 2wd mode. One way to see if the truck is stuck in 4wd is jack the front end up and try turning a wheel, if it won't move then you know you're stuck in 4wd because even though you have an open diff in the front it will still be pushing to the t-case and when in Park it will split through to the rear and the front.

 

[sehaare]

Woah....lets clear this up all V6's were only offered in 2wd and 4wd, 97+ had auto 4wd meaning no true 2wd mode. One way to see if the truck is stuck in 4wd is jack the front end up and try turning a wheel, if it won't move then you know you're stuck in 4wd because even though you have an open diff in the front it will still be pushing to the t-case and when in Park it will split through to the rear and the front.

I agree for 98 the v8 came with AWD and both v6 engines came with 4wd auto. The truck is normally driven from the rear wheels until it senses that the rear wheels are turning faster than the front (slipping) then power is shifted to the front. You could also select 4WD Hi on the fly or put it in park and select 4WD low.

I think your advice is what I am looking for. Let me clear up exactly what I need to do. I'm pretty weak on transfer cases and differentials (besides knowing when and how to change the fluids).

If I remember correctly, on a 2WD car if both tires are in the air, the way the differential is designed, you can spin them freely even if the car is in gear (normally the opposite tire spins the opposite way). Wouldn't this be the same with the front differential even if it was locked into 4WD? Do I need to keep one tire on the ground and try it? Or does placing it in park change all that, if it is locked into 4wd? I'll say it again, I don't have much knowledge of differentials or transfer cases so I'm not trying to question what you are saying when you are trying to help me, but I'm trying to learn a thing or two here in the process.

I guess I could get both front tires in the air and see what happens and then switch to 4WD and see if anything changes,

Thanks again
Steve

 

[sehaare]

The windchill has been below zero here and they've got me working nights this week so I haven't gotten much done on this lately, but with any luck (and some thermal underwear) I'm going to try to work on this after lunch.

Thanks for the inputs
Steve

 

[sehaare]

I took the truck out on an abandoned parking lot that was covered with snow and Ice. I could definitely tell the difference between when I had the car selected to 4WD and when it wasn't and the Auto 4WD had to kick in. So I'm pretty confident now that it is not locked up into 4WD.

Thanks for all of the help

Steve