issues with the 4x4

[Colin2722]

ok so im 17 and ive been driving my 91 explorer for two years and now i've decided that i want to lift it and put some tires on for some trails. i finally sucked it up and took it to my local auto shop because i needed to find out why my 4x4 was not working. i had restarted the transfer case and no lights flashed so when i took it in the told me that my front switch was not working and my shifter motor on my transfer case was shot. i dont know if i beleive that the switch is not working because i fiddled with the grounds and now when i push my buttons on my dash i hear some clicking in the back so i think the relay is good. now all i need to do is take off my shift motor and clean/rebuild it. i was wondering if i can still drive my explorer without the shift motor or if that would cause some problems. thanks for the advice

Colin

 

[Maniak]

Short answer, Yes you can drive with the shift motor off. I've actually seen people leave it off for a while since you can manually shift it with pliers with it off.

As for what the shop said.. I'd run away from them.. for all work.. They dont' know what they are talking about. Especially since you get the clicks from the back.

If you can take off the shift motor, and shift it manually with pliers then you know your transfer case is fine and the shop was just trying to get extra money.. My answer to that is to take away all the money they would ever get and let them know that you are not happy that they tried to steal money from you like that.

~Mark

 

[matts91XLT]

would the light still come on? im running with no shift motor and tried to turn it manually and the lights dnt come on. so how do i tell if its engaged or not?

 

[Maniak]

The light won't turn on unless the shift computer see's the motor move.

If your shifting it by hand using a wrench, the transfer case has detents where it would go into gear. There are also indications on the face of the case where the motor goes.

Here is what it looks like on a 1354 electric case.

~Mark

 

[matts91XLT]

ok so my 4x4 wouldnt work b4 cause my shift motor was locked up and now even with it off i can turn it manually and the front tires still never pull. there is no noise comin from my hubs of nething.

 

[Colin2722]

so back to my original post. im coming to the conclusion that the switch is still good becaue of the relay to the back and when i take off just the shift motor if i can turn it with pliers it is still good as well? in that case what should my next step be in trying to fix the 4x4?