If your 4WD switch looks like this AUTO, 4HI, 4LO then...

[tenikiwon]

Originally posted by matt97
I hate to ask a stupid question but i've never wired up any switches on my X , so if I want to put in a lighted toggle switch for my brown wire mod then how would I wire it to light up when in the on position? I see there are 3 connections on the bottom of the switch...is one of them a ground and the other 2 for the brown wire?If someone could post a diagram or explain to me how to wire it up I would appreciate it , Thanks

You are correct!

 

[anthonyfgranda]

Thank you so much for the 4WD switch wiring diagram.My first trip to Smoky Mountains next week now is sure. Just one more question: I already got all stolen switches and a new center trim panel, however I don't see how the switches are holding maybe some bracket is missing. Any comments will be welcome.

 

[dogfriend]

According to my service manual (97), the switch is held to the center instrument panel cover with two screws (marked 1 in the picture below)

 

[Opera House]

If you take the shift motor off a 4405

Between high and low there is a neutral position between HI and LOW. Inside the case, the linkage slides a toothed sectionconnected to the rear output shaft between a direct connection to the tranny (HI), or the other direction to the planetary gear reduction (LOW). If the tranny isn't in neureal it would be like trying to shift a manual transmision without a clutch. This linkage is spring driven so the teeth may hang up and then engage all at once with a clunk.

The clutch connects the rear shaft to the front shaft through a chain. The clutch, which isn't massive, operates electrically. The pressure on the clutch plates is made by three balls climbing a ramp in either direction from a center detent. Switching into 4WD does not itself engage the clutch. Things have to be moving for these balls to climb the ramp and engage the clutch. If you reverse, it will disengage momentarilly.

EDIT Sorry, I clicked on 14 instead of LAST PAGE so I was answering a very old question.

 

[anthonyfgranda]

What about the others 3 switches on the right side. I see the 2 screw holes on the back of the panel but not how they can stack those switches . It looks to me should be some kind of bracket.
Thank you
Anthony

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, it looks like there is a bracket that holds the rear wiper, rear defroster and fog light switches.

 

[briwayjones]

Wooo, there is a lot of info. in this thread. I have a 2000 Explorer so my 4WD system is Auto, 4Hi and 4Lo. I want to do this mod to get 2WD only. There are conflicting opinions on some things, this is what I want to do, maybe some people can tell me whether I can do this or not.

I want to access the brown wire behind the dash. I believe someone said it does go behind the dash? I would like to use a switch like the rear defrost switch (or something like it) and install it in the trim under the 4WD selector (or near there) and make it look professional. And make it so that when it's in 2WD the light in the switch is not on, and when it's in 4WD/Auto the light is on. Can all of this be done? There is conflicting reports on whether I need a relay or not? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

[tenikiwon]

Yes, it can...

That is if you can find a switch like the fog or rear defrost. and mount it...

They only concern is the amount of voltage the switch can handle. I don't know what those switches are rated. If they can't handle it, then you'll have to use a relay.

 

[briwayjones]

Thanks for the reply. I'm changing my plans slighty. I think I'm going to install a lighted round rocker switch where the cigarette lighter is. The switch is a 12V, 30Amp switch. Since the system is only 12V then that should be plenty right? But would 30Amps be enough?

 

[tenikiwon]

I would say yes, if not, it'll short out and you'll know you need something bigger!!!

 

[briwayjones]

I'm not real knowlegable with electronics. The third post on the bottom of the switch is a ground right? Can that be grounded to any good metal surface? Also, do you have any details to where exactly the brown wire is behind that dash and the best way to access it? Will I have to remove the whole dash or can I get by with removing the radio, or would I have to remove the center trim? Thanks for any help you or anyone can provide.

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by briwayjones
I'm not real knowlegable with electronics. The third post on the bottom of the switch is a ground right? Can that be grounded to any good metal surface? Also, do you have any details to where exactly the brown wire is behind that dash and the best way to access it? Will I have to remove the whole dash or can I get by with removing the radio, or would I have to remove the center trim? Thanks for any help you or anyone can provide.

Just ground to a good ground. You should see a few grounds under the steering column..

 

[jasonb]

it blew a 20amp switch i used at first. the 30 amp i replaced it with has held up since the beginning of this year. other than the two being different sizes and the hole i cut for the 20 is too big and it looks retarded now... oh well.

if you use a lighted switch, you can see when "auto" does its thing. kinda neat.

 

[briwayjones]

Originally posted by jasonb
it blew a 20amp switch i used at first. the 30 amp i replaced it with has held up since the beginning of this year.

Thanks guys. Did you access the wire behind the dash? If so what is the best way to get at it, just remove the dash?

 

[jasonb]

i accessed it by removing the plastic door jamb piece and pulling it from the wire bundle there. easy to get to.

 

[briwayjones]

Ok I have my dash ripped apart and am a little confused, there are conflicting reports in the thread. Where's the TOD relay behind the dash? Someone said behind the radio to the right of the vent? What does it look like, a small gray box thing? I have a 2000, behind the climate controls, down low towards the left there is a gray box that has a large brown wire coming from it. Is this the TOD relay. I don't want to go cutting wires without knowing whats what. Let me get this straight also, once I find the wire behind the dash all I need to do is wire a switch to it right, of course also grounding the switch right? Thanks for any help.

 

[Blee1099]

Originally posted by briwayjones
Ok I have my dash ripped apart and am a little confused, there are conflicting reports in the thread. Where's the TOD relay behind the dash? Someone said behind the radio to the right of the vent? What does it look like, a small gray box thing? I have a 2000, behind the climate controls, down low towards the left there is a gray box that has a large brown wire coming from it. Is this the TOD relay. I don't want to go cutting wires without knowing whats what. Let me get this straight also, once I find the wire behind the dash all I need to do is wire a switch to it right, of course also grounding the switch right? Thanks for any help.

Ahh another fellow from Howard County, Maryland.. It's better to splice the brown wire located under carpet by drivers seat. If you cut the yellow wire near the GEM module, you'll have to shut the engine off when you want 4WD from 2WD. Cutting the brown wire will let you turn off auto 4WD without having to cut the engine off.

 

[briwayjones]

Originally posted by Blee1099
Ahh another fellow from Howard County, Maryland.. It's better to splice the brown wire located under carpet by drivers seat. If you cut the yellow wire near the GEM module, you'll have to shut the engine off when you want 4WD from 2WD. Cutting the brown wire will let you turn off auto 4WD without having to cut the engine off.

Hey cool! Close to my neck of the woods. I'm not talking about the yellow wire that goes into the GEM but am still talking about the brown wire still that goes up behind the dash to the TOD module. I'm just a little confused exactly where that module is? I'm trying to avoid splicing longer wires on to the brown one and running them places by accessing it directly behind the dash.

 

[Blee1099]

I cut mine from under the seat, it's the easiest place to locate it. I haven't ventured underneath the steering column to see how visible the brown wire is but your only looking at 10'-15' of wiring if you cut it from underneath the seat or along the trim that runs along the doorway.

 

[briwayjones]

The one that is under the trim along the doorway? Is it easy to locate, the only brown wire or something like that?