Please Help me! Problem with 4 wheel drive ON all the time!

[JustWannaDrive]

Hi,
I just found this site and am very thankful. My parents bought me a cash car that we knew had problems but no one in my family is mechanically inclined. The push button for the 4x4 is lit up orange. Nothing happens when I push the button. The wheels spin in the opposite direction when I am in reverse. My dad said he switched the lock on the tire area (?) so that it is not on all the time but I dont know what that even means. I drove it to the mechanics and they were too busy to look at it until Monday. I know with me not knowing anything about cars they could easily take a $100 situation and turn it into a $1000 one. Then it would never get fixed as I barely have the $100 let alone that kind of cash. My parents say that it is to get from point A (home) to point B (work and school) until I can save my paychecks and get a better car. This sounds like a great idea. I just dont want to break something or make things worse driving it in this condition. My friends have said it will burn my gas or make my vehicle have even worse problems. Please any and all help is appreciated! Thank you:navajo:

 

[Tony H]

It sounds like you have Manuaul Hubs. ( Dad switch teh lock on the Tire area) . That's good, you wont screw up the Transfer case.
You will burn more gas with the Transfer case locked in which causes the Driveshaft and axles to turn but you wont hgurt anything.

Do a search on this site for " Shifter Motor" I'm guessing you have an issue with a bad connection in that area

 

[ranger-93]

also when you search for shift motor look at how you can take it off and manually turn the selector shaft to put it in 2wd...if it is locked in 4wd this will help save some gas.

 

[Currency]

It just has a few bolts holding the shifter motor on, I believe two different sizes too. Once the motor is off you can see on the back of the transfer case if it is in 2wd, 4 high, or 4 low. The lever should be pointing down for 2wd, to the passenger side for 4 high, and up for 4 low. You can use a pair of pliers to shift it manually back into 2 wheel drive.

You'll need, I think, star bits to take the shift motor apart if it is bad and you can then manually put it back into two wheel drive and bolt it back up. That is, if you cannot afford the $78 +/- for a new shift motor.

 

[JustWannaDrive]

Is the shifter motor in an area that we can do ourselves? If I can avoid going to a mechanics that would be wonderful. My dad said they didn't seem to want to work on it...could be because they really were busy or because its old and a pain. Im also afraid that after it goes in a shop it will never come out. Fix one thing and have others mysteriously go wrong. BIG $ things. Can you tell weve had some bad experiences? So the bolts that hold the shifter motor on..is that attached to the motor itself? Can a regular joe use tools and get to it? I will buy a manual and hope that its something we can do ourselves if so. Thank you for all the responses and help. Please keep em coming.

 

[ranger-93]

its almost easier than taking your tire off to be honest.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542&highlight=shift+motor

unless you plan to rebuild the shift motor thats currently on your truck, the first four pictures are going to be your biggest help. basically find your rear driveshaft and follow it towards the front of your vehicle and if you look at the pics in the link iv attached it should start looking really familair.

ps if you plan on taking the motor off theres a brown wire thats attached to the transfer case. disconnect harness and take a thin tool with a hook (best tool iv used is a dental pick), and IIRC theres a red plastic thing that keeps all wires from being pulled out, this needs to come out first. after that theres a hook type retainer that holds the wire in, put your tool in there to push the retainer up and pull wire from the back and it should slide right out.

 

[ragajungle]

My 4x4 button and transfer case motor are fickle. I have to press and hold the 4x4 button for some time before the motor switches it off and on. Just a thought.

 

[JustWannaDrive]

Thank you ranger-93 for the link to the post and pictures. I hope it really is easier than changing a tire. It may be old and not the prettiest thing but it is reliable in starting every time right away. I know if that was fixed and a new oil & fuel filter she'd be safe and as good as other vehicles on the road.

ragajungle,I will try that 1st. My dash is...I dont really know the best way to describe it except for loose. The radio blinks at me all the time.

Oh,this is off topic of 4x4 but is there a way to fix my hood pull? It sits on the carpet...very near my feet actually and I had to get my dad to show me how to pull it to open hood while holding the bar part with my other hand or it may have pulled it out all together. Ok...so I guess saying as good as other vehicles is not exactly true. Shes the same age as me and needs work. :navajo: