HELP 4x4 isnt workin!

[EliteRaven]

Hi all,

I am having yet more trouble with my ex. I put a used actuator motor in the truck in the begining of winter and the 4x4 light comes on whenever I hit the button sweet right I must have 4x4 wrong. yet another snow storm here in the northeast and I got stuck in 4x4 why because the darn 4x4 isnt working. I am so confused why would the light be coming on and no 4x4 workin. I dont hear the hubs makin any noises or anything. any help would be greatly appreciated theres over a foot of snow out there so I would like to have a good idea of what to check before I go lay in the snow. thanx in advance.

Len

 

[JDraper]

Check out Dead Link Removed

 

[import power on]

We are having a snow storm now and went to go to the store and our 4WD is not working either....Hmmmm. We dont have the manual to the truck. Is there a quick fuse that we can check. On our fuse box it does not tell us what the fuses are

 

[jgilbs]

Try tapping on your transfer case with a rubber mallet. One of my friends had the same problem where his 4x4 wouldn't engage, he just gave the transfer case a little whack and it worked for him after that.

 

[Alec]

Could the hubs just be toast?

 

[import power on]

Will try tapping the TC tomorrow. I ussually engage it every so often to make sure it works. First time I need it, nothing, no light no hub clicking engage noise.

 

[EliteRaven]

I Bit the bullet and went out and picked up a set af warn manual hubs and a confersion kit. 4x4 seems to be workin like a charm no way I will be gettin stuck again. the whole shebang ended up costine me 203 and some change workin on a truck for 2 hours in a blizzard and alot of cursing. not getting stuck any anymore priceless!
I kept all the stuff rom my old hubs as my dad has a 93 and maybe they will come in usefull with his ex. thank god for manual hubs another 2 inches so far tonite.

Len

 

[Alec]

Glad you got it fixed

 

[FFOORRDD]

Been shoppin' for an ex. seems, there's a problem with the electric 4x4 on most all the trucks we've been looking at. Been trying to trouble-shoot before we make the plung (into the snow). We were just invisioning ourselves in the same situation, when we stumbled on your thread. Although, I know this wasn't pleasant for you, we truly enjoyed your story and look forward to making our own.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by FFOORRDD
Been shoppin' for an ex. seems, there's a problem with the electric 4x4 on most all the trucks we've been looking at. Been trying to trouble-shoot before we make the plung (into the snow). We were just invisioning ourselves in the same situation, when we stumbled on your thread. Although, I know this wasn't pleasant for you, we truly enjoyed your story and look forward to making our own.

You could look for a 96 or later AWD V8 Explorer. The transfer case is mechanical and always in 4wd. No low range, so it isn't the best for offroad, but is probably a better system for driving in the snow.

 

[import power on]

While our 4X4 has always worked until yesterday, the Low Range has never lit on the dash and I don't feel that it has ever worked.

 

[dogfriend]

Check out the tips on cleaning the shift motor (look at the link posted by JDraper and/or do a search on shift motor). I think that the shift motor is a pretty common problem on early Exp (and Navajo) but can be fixed by cleaning the shift motor.

In particular, the section by Jim S. seems well written and to the point.

Dead Link Removed

 

[import power on]

Awesome, thanks!