No 4x4 When Cold

[snoborder42]

So far the 4x4 on my 92 has worked flawlessly since I bought it. Yesterday I went snowboarding and the ex sat in the parking lot for about 6 hours @ around 24 degrees. When I left I wanted to use the 4x4 just to use it, i didn't need the 4x4 but with 4" of fresh snow I figured that it was the best time to use it. I pushed the button and nothing, no clicking from the module in the back, no lights, nothing. I tried several times and to no avail. I got back home after driving for about an hour and tried again and it went right in with no problems just like always. I did the same thing today, no 4x4 or low range when its cold, but after everything warms up it works just like it should.


What is going on here???

 

[fisher972002]

On these explorer's the little motor doesn't go bad, it's the connectors that corrode and get dirty over time...

1992, mine the 4x4 quit working about 2 years ago.. But I could hear the click in the back from module... Just that my motor wasnt' turning.. I took it out, and the end of it where the switch moves, it was soo dirty.. The contacts were black and corroded... I took some q tips and Electrical parts cleaner and sprayed in there and cleaned all that gunk off and works perfectly now...
THe little motors have a littel gasket on them and I think they just let in a littel bit of dirt, so.. Maybe if it's cold take the motor off and clean the contact on it after you remove the cap, I'll bet you have some resistance in there that when it's cold, it's not enough current to move, when warm it's fine...

I think lots of people replace the motor when actually as little as they are used, they are pretty robust and they just get dirty.. I would clean it anyways if you know it's never been done.. Probably will fix you.. IF after that you don't work, then go to JY and get the 4x4 module, becasuse that may have intermittent problem with it also, but troubeshoot the cheapest,
Most obvious first...

 

[snoborder42]

So I've been doing some thinking and investigating. I have pretty much narrowed down the problem to the 4x4 switch. I know that the issue is somewhere between the switch and the control module in the back, but seeing how I don't hear the clicking from the back, it seems that the switch is at fault here.

So my question is, are the 4x4 switches still made or are these going to be a junk yard hunting adventure???? I've looked at Fast Parts Network and haven't found them, but I'm not sure what the part is actually called. I looked through a Ford Diagnostic CD that I have and they call it by 3 different names I tried all of them and came up with nada.