Help with 4 Wheel Drive!!!!

[Moese]

My four wheel drive went out this week on my 93 XLT. Sunday, the light on my dsh came on indicating 4x4 engaged, yet only rear wheels were spinning. Front wheels weren't being locked in for some reason. Yesterday, the button for 4x4 wouldn't even light the light, push it and nothing happened! No light, no 4x4, nothing!

Could this just be the auto hubs needing replacement or something more?

Factory original hubs and tranny.

 

[ChuckyD]

when was the last time you used it... if it wasnt to long ago and it as far as you could tell it was ok, try reseting the computer. If that doesnt do it it might be your hubs, from what i have read they are infamous for going out.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Follow the link on this thread from yesterday. If you run a search, you will find tons of posts referencing your problem. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=38450

 

[ifab.net]

Hey Ive had that problem a few times, every time its the electric motor that shifts the transfer case. All you need to do is remove it, take it a part and clean the motor, takes a few hours but works.... dont spent $300 for a new one

the second time mine went out I just took the shift motor out and ran it on a charger to let the motor run and clean/seat the brushes in the motor, this weekend it worked fine,

youll need a 10mm deep socket and a paper clip to take the connector apart, dont cut the brown wire! use a dremel with a mini cut off wheel to make the tamper proof screws into flat heads =) for more details goto:

Dead Link Removed

 

[X24]

4 wheel drive

what ifab.net said is right, but if you are like me you will have no clue how to do it. i had the same problem on my 93 and this was the start of thousands of dollars worth of problems (not to scare you or anything). if the 4 wheel drive hasnt been used for a little while then the transfer case motor is probably frozen. all i did was have someone beat on it with a hammer while i kept pushing the button. you also said that now the light doesnt even come on. mine did that too, but if i kept pushing the button it eventually came on, then i put it in reverse and stepped on the gas and the caught. then next thing i had to do was replace the hubs because the poorly designed teeth were all chipped (thanks a lot ford). i ordered a set of manual locking hubs from www.warn.com -- much cheaper than having ford put on a new set of automatics (and they dont sell manuals). replacing the hubs isnt really a big job but if you are like me you might want to have someone with some experience help you. the next thing that went on mine was the U joints. i have no clue where they are or what they do but they are expensive. so i said f%&# it and i traded it for my 98 XLT with a 4 year warranty. now i have nothing to worry about.

 

[diablo5969]

I had the same problem with my four wheel drive back in September. Except with mine, along with all the problems you mentioned, the Ex got stuck in low range, and that was absolute hell for the 30 mile drive to the dealer, let me tell you. I spent about $600-$700 and had Ford replace the hubs and work on the transfer case. Just my addition to the thread....

 

[Moese]

Turns out it was the motor (got at cost), hubs (switched to manual), and some problem with the axles. For only $440 in parts and $200 in labor, all better and was ready for our first big MN snow! Thanks for the input guys!