Help! Stuck in low gear

[mikedozz]

Hi All,

I have a 2002 explorer and we had some snow this weekend in the Northeast. I pushed the low button to drive over some high snow and now the truck is stuck in low. I had to drive home doing 20mph. I know this is a common problem. Any suggestions or ways to self-fix. I really don't want to spend hundreds of dollars at the dealer.

 

[mikedozz]

One more question, do you think if I disconnect the battery and install it again, it will reset the low gear or default?

 

[jrford]

nope, still sounds like its stuck in 4low. I thought your supposed to be in neutral creeping 1-2mph. . .sorry i own a AWD thus no low. Or you might have a burned out motor . . .there might be a way to manually switch it? What do the lights do?

 

[mikedozz]

We took it in too ford and had the 4x4 disconnected for 400 rather than spending 900 on a new piece.

 

[jrford]

did they tell you whats wrong by chance?
Couple of things i've read about, 4x4 module $200, 4x4 Motor which is about $200 and a diy if your have tools and are handy. And on very, very rare occasions the xfr case itself.

 

[mikedozz]

They said that the motor had gone, I've read that too about the pieces going for 200. My dad's company paid for it, I'm sure we got raped on the labor charges.

 

[jrford]

i'm not 100% as to what they did hopefully a lot more then just . . .
. . . if the motor did blow, they removed it, shifted into 2wd (moved the notch/lever), put the motor back on, disconnected the wiring for $400?
Buy yourself a new/used motor, and slap it back on, you don't have to remove the transfercase, it can all be done on the truck just a couple of bolts and a wiring harness. . .

 

[jrford]

here is a post where they talk about rebuilding the 4x4 shift motor. . .if thats really it.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542