No 4x4, No Indicator Light?? Whats Up?

[dizzy6984]

Ok, Im new to the Ford Explorer, traded my 81 1/2ton Chevy for one, ive got a question about the 4x4, the two 4x4 buttons on my dash dont light up at all, and when i press 4x4 they still stay black, and i dont here any noise like i should, ive checked fuses, and thats about it, we just got like 5in's of snow and i really need the 4x4, lol any thoughts, or things i should try?

Also should the buttons light up at all, seems kinda weird that u cant see em in the dark?

Thanks

 

[dizzy6984]

Update

Lil' update, i took the 4x4 shift motor off, and turned the shaft from 2H, to 4H, but still no 4x4, could this mean the crappy automatic hubs arent working, or could it be turning the shaft isnt all the electronic 4x4 does? Ne one, NeOne???

 

[daveleeander]

Read stickys

Dizzy,

 

[Vanquish502]

With the first gens, if you turn the arrow shaped "knob" on the back of the transfer case, it will be in 4x4. Make sure it's in 4x4 and try turning the front driveshaft. If you cant turn it, 4x4 is working. If 4x4 still isn't kicking in when driving, put the transfer case in 2wd, jack the front of the truck up and turn the front driveshaft by hand. At some point it should get hard to turn and the hubs should click. Get someone to hold one of the tires, so that power goes to one side, then do it to the other side to make sure both hubs are working. If the neither or only one of the hubs don't click, replace them.

 

[dizzy6984]

Is It The Hubs?

Well i jacked the X up, all 4's off the ground, and i couldnt get the 4x4 to engage, so i put the truck in drive and while it was spinning the back tires i turned the arrow shaped knob and click is engaged into 4x4, now the front driveshaft is spinning but the front tires arent moving at all, driving or in the air, and when i rotate them theres no friction at all...

So does this mean those auto hubs are out?

Is it better to convert to manual hubs???

Also if my shift motor is out, is this the reason my 4x4 indicator lights are out? i mean the lights next to the button, not the dash lights...


Thanks Alot

 

[Vanquish502]

First off, take your front hub casings off and see if theres a lot of grease in there. Grease is bad, and can cuase the hubs to not do anything.

Do a search for auto hubs, and you'll find plenty of info on cleaning them, and mickey-mousing them into working.

If thats still not the problem, scrap the auto hubs and go manual. I have a cheap and much easier way of doing it, if you care to know.

About the shift motor; take it off and let it hang. Mark the position it's in. Turn the key to "On" and press the 4x4 button. Crawl under and see if its moved, do the same for 4LO. If its moving, it works.

As for the actual indicator light; my 92's 4x4 does actually work, but the light beside the 4HI button does not. It's a problem with the 4x4 computer, and not the switch itself, however your indicator light may just be burnt out, so try swapping the swithc first.

 

[dizzy6984]

I took the shift motor off, and when i press the button it does nothing, so i took it off, and aplied 12volts to the orange and grounded the white and it spun till it stopped smothly, then i reversed the wires and it spun the other way till it stopped again, but when its hooked to the truck it does nothing, what are some circuits i should try?


And deff. send me some info on making the hubs lock cheap...
Like i said it snowed 2 days ago, and the neighboors laugh at me cause i got this big 'ole' truck and have to spin the tires to make it up my driveway... I need my 4X4.... LOL

 

[Vanquish502]

Try the cheap things first, replace the switch on the dash. If that doesn't fix it, go buy manual hubs, but only the hubs. No need for the installation kit, thats where my cheap-way comes into play.

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site.. As vanquish502 has already stated your problem is very common and is one of the most often asked questions of new members...

Check out the Shift motor rebuild Thread for lots of info and pics of the shift motor and it's internal workings. Most often a tiny plastic stop bumper deteriorates and allows the geared position sensor to move slightly beyond the operational limits of the unit. When this happens the 4x4 computer in the rear hatch cannot determine what position the T-Case is in and will do nothing as a default. As for hubs it is a misconception that they need to be packed with grease... As such many mechanics pack them with so much grease the hubs will hydrolock into the disengage position... Check out the links in the maint section of my sig for info on cleaning them out... converting to manual hubs is what many members do as a set of manuals is less than the cost of one auto hub.

 

[Vanquish502]

One auto hub? With my case, I got two Warn manual hubs at a junkyard, which I could have bought 10 more, for the price of 2 auto hubs.

Go junkyard to junkyard and find a truck with them. There were 2 trucks at mine with manuals on them.

 

[dizzy6984]

Alrighty, manual is the way to go, ive never had these auto hubs on a truck, and i deff. dont want to go out to the local trail, hit the 4x4 and end up gettin stuck cause my auto hubs are broke lol...

Should manual hubs from any truck work or do i need them off a bronco or explorer, something with the IFS?
Im gonna go look today, then i gotta go get the lug key from the guy i got the truck from cause i cant t\get the wheels off...

 

[DeRocha]

Alrighty, manual is the way to go, ive never had these auto hubs on a truck, and i deff. dont want to go out to the local trail, hit the 4x4 and end up gettin stuck cause my auto hubs are broke lol...

Should manual hubs from any truck work or do i need them off a bronco or explorer, something with the IFS?
Im gonna go look today, then i gotta go get the lug key from the guy i got the truck from cause i cant t\get the wheels off...

You need hubs for a Dana35... (91-94 Explorer, 91-97 Ranger). If you're going to the bone yard make sure you also get the locking nuts as well.
New Hubs