Ok 2 problems that I need some advice on please

[Aussie Explorer]

1. Just cam back from a Day of 4Wding, was wicked fun as always except the X wouldn’t shift into Low Range. High Range worked fine as does the TOD system (So the trip wasn’t a Compleat wast of time) but when you try and shift into Low it just sites there, no noise from the shift motor, No lights flashing on the dash or anything.????. I used Low range about a month ago with no problems but now it will not engage.

2. Cruse control is not working, now I do have a problem somewhere as my Airbag light is flashing (Has been for the last 3 months) and the Horn is not working ( and hasn’t been for about a year), and now the Cruse control isn’t working Arrrrrrrr!!!
Clock sprig Do you think?

I haven’t had a chance to look at anything as I just got home and it’s 11.00PM Dark and cold outside, But I will be hitting it first thing in the morning Hopefully with some pointers for you guys on where to start.

Cheers.

It's a 98 XLT 4WD with the normal 4WD mods.

 

[explorermatt001]

is it electronic shift, because having all those other problems kinda seems like something is fried or shorted. Check the battery cables, distrubutor box

 

[Aussie Explorer]

OK, Have checked all fuses unplugged electrical connection to Shift motor and sprayed with electrical cleaner (Busted the stupid clip/ lock thing on the connection, Just pushed them back together anyway They should stay connected) gave shift motor a few soft tapes with a hammer.

Started car 4WD HI and Low light’s come on and go out as they normally do (It is Not flashing an error code), Select 4WD Hi, It engages and the 4WD dash light comes on, Put transmission in Neutral and foot on Brake select 4WD Low and nothing No light’s flashing and no Noise from shift motor.

4WD Low was working fine, Just a Month ago when I shifted in and out of it 3 or 4 times when out on some trails not it’s dead what the hell.

This is not looking good.

Any thoughts

 

[prochorus]

Shift Motor Problems

G'day mate,

It sounds like your shift motor has a problem. The good news is, it shouldn't be too hard to fix if you are at all mechanically inclined. I rebuilt mine a few months ago and it only took a few hours to do a thorough job. Check out this link http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542 it's a pretty long thread, but it explains everything pretty well. As far as all the other electrical problems you're suffering, they are all on the steering column, so I would look around under the dash for a loose or corroded connector near the steering column.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Thanks
So would I be right in assuming that 4WD Hi doesn’t need the shift motor to engage on the 96+ Explorers and only Low range is selected via the shift motor, so this is why 4WDHi is working fine, but I cannot select Low range.

This Is also why am not getting any 4WD error codes as the system is working and it’s just that the shift motor is cactus??, Well I guess I will be looking at the shift motor next weekend unless somebody can think of another cause.

Can I still drive around if I remove the shift motor? I can’t see why not, but just checking.


Cheers

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Sick, my Cruse control is working now but 4WD Low still isn’t, O well at least I can cross one thing of the list of **** to fix LOL

Look’s like I might be digging into that shift motor.