need advice on 4x4

[FreedomRun]

So I've been having trouble with my 4x4 engaging('91 Explorer). I can push the button 40 times and it won't engage, then it will, then it will take 6 times the next time, then 35, and so on.

I hear a click back at the module on every push of the button, and I ran the diagnostic test on the module, which turned out good. So I assumed the transfer case motor I had replaced last year was defective.

I took it in to the mechanic that replaced it last year, and guess what, it works every single time they push the button! Of course it does!!! Isn't that how it works!!

I live in North Dakota where temperatures below 0 are the norm, and the mechanic thought maybe the cold has something to do with it. That maybe the electricity being sent down to the transfer case motor is not powerful enough to turn the gear on the motor when it is so cold.

I'm thinking I'm going to get it to engage and just leave the damn thing engaged in 4x4 until spring! My questions with that are:

1) How fast is acceptable to drive with the hubs locked?

2) How fast is acceptable to drive while engaged in 4x4 high, on the highway?

Any and all advice and know-how nuggets are very much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[FIND]

If you are hearing a click, then it is working for the most part, and this is the thread you want to follow for instructions on how to get it working good.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

You can drive at speed with it engaged, it won't hurt anything as long as you are going in straight lines. The problem is if you are turning corners on dry surfaces. You feel that scrubbing feeling like the truck is trying to fight you on the turn? That is the fact that one tire has to lose traction for you to go around a corner, since not all the wheels are traveling the same distance when you go around a corner. Worst case scenario, you can ruin an axle, gear box or front diff this way... not a pretty situation.

Be sure that it is actually not engaging..... to engage 4X4 Hi, you need to be accelerating at least slowly forward to get the hubs to engage. Also, if this is a cold weather problem, it might just be your automatic hubs not engaging because they need cleaning. Read a little further down this sticky to find out how to diagnose your hubs and any other problem you are having....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202166

If the hubs are the part that is not engaging, clean them and you will probably be good to go, there is a link to instructions for cleaning in that thread too.

Out of curiosity, what part of ND? I used to live up in grand forks after I met my ex-wife, then moved down to a small town about an hour south of Valley City. My Ex still lives in that area, and my older kids spend summer and christmas vacation up there, while we split time with the baby, so I am actually in that area every couple months.

 

[FreedomRun]

If you are hearing a click, then it is working for the most part, and this is the thread you want to follow for instructions on how to get it working good.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

You can drive at speed with it engaged, it won't hurt anything as long as you are going in straight lines. The problem is if you are turning corners on dry surfaces. You feel that scrubbing feeling like the truck is trying to fight you on the turn? That is the fact that one tire has to lose traction for you to go around a corner, since not all the wheels are traveling the same distance when you go around a corner. Worst case scenario, you can ruin an axle, gear box or front diff this way... not a pretty situation.

Be sure that it is actually not engaging..... to engage 4X4 Hi, you need to be accelerating at least slowly forward to get the hubs to engage. Also, if this is a cold weather problem, it might just be your automatic hubs not engaging because they need cleaning. Read a little further down this sticky to find out how to diagnose your hubs and any other problem you are having....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202166

If the hubs are the part that is not engaging, clean them and you will probably be good to go, there is a link to instructions for cleaning in that thread too.

Out of curiosity, what part of ND? I used to live up in grand forks after I met my ex-wife, then moved down to a small town about an hour south of Valley City. My Ex still lives in that area, and my older kids spend summer and christmas vacation up there, while we split time with the baby, so I am actually in that area every couple months.

Thanks for the input.

So it's OK to drive 55mph in 4x4, as long as the wheels aren't binding on cornering? I wasn't sure.

I had the automatic hubs switched to Warn manuals 2 years ago when the automatics became stripped out, so that's not an issue.

I never knew it was necessary to be moving forward to engage 4x4. I usually try to do it while it Park. Maybe I'll have better luck now while moving when trying to engage.

And, thanks for the link. I think the "Shiftster" might be what I've been looking for. I joked with my mechanic, "hey, can't you drill a hole in the floorboard and bolt on a piece of angle iron to the transfer case for me."

I'm in the Bismarck area of North Dakota. We've had unusually cold and snowy winters lately. I always say, there's a reason this state has the population it does.

Thanks again.

 

[FIND]

Thanks for the input.

So it's OK to drive 55mph in 4x4, as long as the wheels aren't binding on cornering? I wasn't sure.

I had the automatic hubs switched to Warn manuals 2 years ago when the automatics became stripped out, so that's not an issue.

I never knew it was necessary to be moving forward to engage 4x4. I usually try to do it while it Park. Maybe I'll have better luck now while moving when trying to engage.

And, thanks for the link. I think the "Shiftster" might be what I've been looking for. I joked with my mechanic, "hey, can't you drill a hole in the floorboard and bolt on a piece of angle iron to the transfer case for me."

I'm in the Bismarck area of North Dakota. We've had unusually cold and snowy winters lately. I always say, there's a reason this state has the population it does.

Thanks again.

I only moved to south dakota.... not like we have that many more people here.

If you have manual hubs, you don't have to drive forward to engage them, though, it may help you get your trans to shift... who knows. Just look into the shift motor fix.... Otherwise, you can try and find a manual transfer case in the future.

 

[Dustin U]

I'm seriously looking into doing this!!! I'm sick and tired of dealing with the "computer" "shift motor" and so on!! I'm just going to order the "Shiftster" cut a hole in the floor board under the center console and cover it with a piece of mud flap "flexible rubber" and be done with it! Then when I need to shift into 4x4 I'll KNOW it will work!


" thanks for the link. I think the "Shiftster" might be what I've been looking for. I joked with my mechanic, "hey, can't you drill a hole in the floorboard and bolt on a piece of angle iron to the transfer case for me."