Going to replace the Shift Motor

[maxxus]

just got my truck back form a diagnostic mechanic. He says my shift motor is acting up. Also says he has replaced many on explorers.

According to him....the GEM, relays and shift motor are all on one circuit. He says the GEM is fine/ No codes!...also says the relays check out fine. Only possibility is the shift motor. He says a lot of these vehicles sit throughout the year, and then the owner attempts to use it for that one big snowstorm to no avail!

The problem: the truck engages 4x4 auto only when at a stop, never on the move. 4x4 lo engages fine, but i did lose all 4 wheel capability in the last noreaster after climbing a hill. The shift motor prob had enough for that day...now it is working again!!!. The mechanic says i should replace it rather than clean the unit. What are your experiences with this?? This motor is going to cost me $300.00!!!

 

[CHH777]

Mine quite working altogether on my 94. I took it apart and cleaned it up good. There was an o-ring on some sort of stop post (in the cam assy) that had completely deteriorated and was quite gummy. It has worked flawlessly since.

 

[410Fortune]

I say go spend $350 for a new one, and sell me your old one for $10 so I can clean it and have another "spare"

Clean it = work like new, save $348.00 since you need to spend 2 bucks on Q tips and cleaner.

 

[88vert]

Originally posted by maxxus
just got my truck back form a diagnostic mechanic. He says my shift motor is acting up. Also says he has replaced many on explorers.

According to him....the GEM, relays and shift motor are all on one circuit. He says the GEM is fine/ No codes!...also says the relays check out fine. Only possibility is the shift motor. He says a lot of these vehicles sit throughout the year, and then the owner attempts to use it for that one big snowstorm to no avail!

The problem: the truck engages 4x4 auto only when at a stop, never on the move. 4x4 lo engages fine, but i did lose all 4 wheel capability in the last noreaster after climbing a hill. The shift motor prob had enough for that day...now it is working again!!!. The mechanic says i should replace it rather than clean the unit. What are your experiences with this?? This motor is going to cost me $300.00!!!

Your mechanic will probally clean your old one and sell it on ebay for 100

 

[maxxus]

? please explain

can anyone explain why simply cleaning the motor is enough....I can't see cleaning as a reliable long-term solution. Don't the brush's in the motor suffer damage? Most electrical motors of that type need rebuilding,no? Has anyone here had their shift motor fail after cleaning it?

 

[CHH777]

Re: ? please explain

Originally posted by maxxus
can anyone explain why simply cleaning the motor is enough....I can't see cleaning as a reliable long-term solution. Don't the brush's in the motor suffer damage? Most electrical motors of that type need rebuilding,no? Has anyone here had their shift motor fail after cleaning it?

1. Take one apart, you'll understand.

2. Mine has worked flawlessly for almost 2 years now.

3. Brushes in any electric motor wear out eventually. That's typically not the problem here (the cam assembly internals get all gunked up.)

4. There's really nothing to rebuild (brushes) unless the armature or magnets get damaged.

5. No.

 

[Opera House]

If the AUTO isn't engaging

I can't see what that has to do with the shift motor. The auto is engaged by an electric clutch. This isn't a clutch like the one on the AC compressor. The magnetic field causes three ball bearings to climb a ramp from a detent and this puts pressure on the clutch plates. The output shaft actually has to move before the clutch starts to engage. Either there is a problem with the clutch or something wierd with the GEM. The shift motor never has to operate to go into 4WD HI.

 

[maxxus]

4WD AUTO

like I siad earlier, it engages if I come to a complete stop only. 4auto will no longer engage if the vehicle is moving. My mechanic says that the output shaft in the shift motor may be sticking while the vehicle is in motion...supposedly there is a cam, and when the vehicle moves it is supposed to be harder to engage....so that would be natural if the shift motor was failing right? any further help/opinions appreciated!