low range light

[XLT EXPLODER]

Ive noticed that my low range light will light up by itself while im driving down the road then it ill kick itself back off. What im worried about is the transfer case locking up.

 

[Anime]

Pretty common occurrence, not usually anything to get worried about.

I've even had the low range light come on when 4x4 was engaged but low range wasn't, and sometimes after disengaging 4x4, unlocking the hubs, and driving. Sometimes it just comes on when the vehicle is first started, and either goes off the next time, or sometimes it takes turning 4x4 and low range on then off for it to go away.

Usually the light when it just comes on by itself is dim compared with a bright light when low range is actually engaged.

It might just be the switch itself, or the sensors/wiring from the TC to the switch are sending a false signal, but not a strong enough one to fully illuminate the bulb.

Either way, just because the light is on doesn't mean low range is engaged or that anything with the transfer case is any different than it was seconds before.

If the transfer case suddenly went to low range when driving, you'd know it.


As for a possible fix, might be worth taking the dash apart to pop the switch out and check out the circuit board and bulbs for any corrosion, check the wiring and connectors, and maybe even get under the vehicle and check out the transfer case and wiring. I'd guess dropping the transfer case and pulling apart the electric motor to check everything out would also be a good thing to do, both in terms of maintenance and discovering any issues.

 

[2stroke]

Don't even bother trying to fix it. Both my 94 explorer and 94 b4000 do it. I've tried fixing it on the explorer, but its not worth it. They all do it. Its just another reason they should have used a manual floor shift, and I still can't figure out why they didn't.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Usually the light when it just comes on by itself is dim compared with a bright light when low range is actually engaged..

This. It happened to me the other day a couple times but hasn't come back. I know since then, I've cycled 4x4 high and low a few times so maybe that helped.

You'll know when you're in low and it won't engage into low unless you have a lot of serious issues. The 4x4 computer would have to be fooled into thinking you're in 4x4 high and then your neutral switch would have to be broken in a way that the computer thinks you're always in neutral. Very unlikely if not impossible to suddenly jump from 2 high to 4 low.

 

[Anime]

It's nearly impossible for the transfer case to go into low range without deliberately being shifted into it, which requires the drivetrain be at a standstill and the transmission be in neutral, so there's pretty much zero risk of it EVER shifting into low range by itself at speed.

Pretty sure Borg-Warner and other TC manufacturers take such worst-case scenarios into account in the design and engineering, and so it's likely mechanically impossible for a TC to just go into low range on it's own, not just from 4HI, but especially, especially from 2HI.

 

[XLT EXPLODER]

Thanks guys means alot to have your input. You all are great with the communication.

 

[arco777]

Going to chime in here.

The last electronic shift 4x4 Explorer I had (94 model) would dimly light up the low range light when it was cold outside. It was just a thing, like my current 94 (manual shift) sometimes engages the rear defroster upon startup.

I will add something to Anime's point, for future readers of this thread that have a manual case. On the manual shift transfer case, the range selector shift fork pads can wear out over time and the shift slider will ride backwards during normal 2wd driving, and it grind the low range like it wants to slip in. You'll get a loud grinding noise. This can cause damage if left untreated (the fix is new fork pads). The electronic shift version is set up a little different so this is less likely to ever happen.