NEW HERE SO BE EASY ON ME

[COMMOCOZY]

HI ALL-

I SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 1998 SPORT. PLEASE BE GENTAL THIS IS MY FIRST TIME..

ANYWAYS. IT SEEMS THAT MY 4WD IS STUCK ON EVEN AFTER I HAVE TURNED IT OFF. I WAS ON SOME ICE THE OTHER NIGHT AND STEPED ON THE GAS AND I SAW SNOW FLY FROM THE FRONT TIRES. SO I OPENED THE DOOR AND DID IT AGAIN AND SURE ENOUGH THE FRONT TIRES WERE SPINNING! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS. I HAVE A 4 YEAR 50,000 MILE WARENNTEE ON THIS TRUCK,BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS MYSELF BEFORE I BRING IT IN.

THANK YOU EVERYONE,
AUSTIN
98 SPORT
REMOTE START,BRUSH GAURD,PIAA'S,BFG'S

 

[config]

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard this great site. As for your problem though, I don't know. I ask more questions then give answers. I think someone else had problems with their 4WD that was corrected after resetting the computer. (i.e. disconnecting one of your battery terminals for a few minutes.) Almost like a fix all for these Explorers. Give it a try, can't hurt it.

 

[leebo]

I'd like to start by welcoming you to the site. Just about anything and everything is all right here.

For starters.....you're sure it's not an AWD truck. I'm willing to bet it's not, but if it is theres your answer. If it's not...go ahead and reset the computer. It should turn off the 4x4 and at least allow you to find out the problem.

 

[GJarrett]

Welcome to the board! I'll be glad to help if I can. I do ask a favor, though. Please don't use captital letters. On website forums it means YOU ARE SHOUTING AT US! See how that looks?

Okay, on to your problem. Does your 4wd three-position switch say 4auto-4hi-4lo? I believe it does. You do not have 2wd, you have a 4auto system. When the computer senses loss of traction in your rear wheels, it will automatically begin transferring power to the front axle to compensate. These systems do not have a pure 2wd setting. As a matter of fact, up to 35mph or so, partial power is engaged to your front axle even in dry situations.

It sounds to me like your system is working just exactly the way it is supposed to.

 

[leebo]

well I was close......

 

[COMMOCOZY]

Okay, on to your problem. Does your 4wd three-position switch say 4auto-4hi-4lo? I believe it does. You do not have 2wd, you have a 4auto system. When the computer senses loss of traction in your rear wheels, it will automatically begin transferring power to the front axle to compensate. These systems do not have a pure 2wd setting. As a matter of fact, up to 35mph or so, partial power is engaged to your front axle even in dry situations.

It sounds to me like your system is working just exactly the way it is supposed to. [/B][/QUOTE]



Thank you so much! Man do I feel like a FOOL! I tried to read everything possible before post here as to keep me from looking like a fool, guess that didn't work. This 4auto system does not seem to be all that helpful though. The time I got stuck was when I first got the truck, about 3 weeks ago. It was on a beach in a big puddle( about 2 and a half feet deep) covered in Ice and snow BURR very cold night for me. I guess nothing would have really helped here thought! I had to call AAA and then had to pay 100 on top of that to get towed out! Also one last stupid question is there any way to tell if I have a limited slip diff. ? Please pardon my ignorance here, I am new to FORD completely and kinda new to 4WD. I use to own 2 Chevy Beretta GTZ's,but got sick of them and traded them in for this 98 sport.

Thanks again,

 

[GJarrett]

Open your driver's side door and look at your vehicle spec tag on the interior side of the door. On the bottom line will be your axle codes. It will read something like 45, or D2. If it is simply a number like 45 you have an open differential. If it has a "D" in front of it and says something like D45 it is limited slip. The D is the factory code for limited slip.

 

[Robert]

Regarding the 4x4 Auto setting. When I had my '97 4x4 up on jackstands, I found that it only took about 1/6 of a revolution of the rear tires before the fronts would engage. If you are hammering the gas on snow, then you should expect your front tires to immediately start spinning as well (at least one of them). The 4x4 Auto works great. Many times I don't even need to put it in high as long as I don't stop in the sand. When I stop though, I can feel the lag as the rear tires slip a little before the fronts start pulling. To eliminate the lagging, sluggish feeling I put it in high.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I don't recommend using 4Auto when you are driving in any sort of off road conditions. Sure it may work fine but the constant "hunting" between front and rear can't be good for the transfer case and driveline. On top of that the power transfer can upset the balance of traction in certain situations. I always used 4H (or 4L) and never Auto when I was off road in my '98, I also used 4H on snowcovered or icey roads. I found the delay very annoying and tried to avoid it whenever I could.