Problem in 4x4

[cloud2or3]

Hey guys, been while...

My 06 Explorer Eddie Bauer seems to make a not-to-healthy sounding clunk type noise when turning while in 4x4 mode (button pushed). Like something is binding up and violently releasing. Seems to be ok going straight.

Are you meant to only go straight in 4x4??? Lol, cant see that being a thing...

Help!

 

[garlicmonster]

Hey guys, been while...

My 06 Explorer Eddie Bauer seems to make a not-to-healthy sounding clunk type noise when turning while in 4x4 mode (button pushed). Like something is binding up and violently releasing. Seems to be ok going straight.

Are you meant to only go straight in 4x4??? Lol, cant see that being a thing...

Help!

What type of surface was it running on when you heard the noise?

 

[07EddyB]

You should only use 4WD on a surface which allows the wheels to slip some. You are describing what happens in 4WD on dry pavement. I hope you haven't been doing that for very long!

 

[cloud2or3]

You should only use 4WD on a surface which allows the wheels to slip some. You are describing what happens in 4WD on dry pavement. I hope you haven't been doing that for very long!

What type of surface was it running on when you heard the noise?

Thanks for the replies. Perhaps I was not sure of when I should be engaging the 4x4. Rookie mistake it sounds like.

Yes, I was on pavement. but only briefly. We are expecting snow finally here in Vancouver, BC, so I wanted to kind of prep the system so-to-speak. Sounds like a bad idea???

I'll read the manual again, but I thought 4x4 High could be used on the roads.

Maybe you guys could elaborate and tell me the right situations to be using the 4x4 High and 4x4 Low in. This would be of great help.

 

[Rcflyer330]

This is right out of my manual
Using the Control Trac 4WD system
4X4 AUTO -Provides electronically-controlled four-wheel drive with power delivered to all four wheels as required for traction. This mode is acceptable for all on-road driving but recommended when wet pavement, snow, or loose gravel conditions are expected.
4X4 HIGH (4WD High) -Provides locked four-wheel drive power to all four wheels. This mode is not intended for use on dry pavement. This mode is appropriate for severe winter and off-road conditions, such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand.
4X4 LOW (4WD Low) -Provides locked four-wheel drive power when extra power at reduced speeds is required. This mode is not recommended for use on dry pavement. Use this mode for off-road, low-speed operation or when extra power is required, such as climbing steep grades, going through deep sand, or pulling a boat out of the water.

 

[07EddyB]

This is right out of my manual
Using the Control Trac 4WD system

It is indeed right there in the manual. RTFM.
Please review your manual and enjoy your Explorer. We do provide advice and rookie mistakes are not a problem.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

4 auto gives you about a 1-2 second slip before the fronts really kick in hard so I only use 4 high when weather is bad and turning is not often like expressway driving when that 1-2 seconds could kill you and personally ive never had a reason to use low in all my years of driving except when I need to show off pulling a friend out of a really bad situation and that was with my 1979 CJ7 304 V8 when my buddy buried his full size blazer to the axles in mud and I pulled him out while barely breathing on the gas peddle

 

[Mbrooks420]

4 auto gives you about a 1-2 second slip before the fronts really kick in hard so I only use 4 high when weather is bad and turning is not often like expressway driving when that 1-2 seconds could kill you and personally ive never had a reason to use low in all my years of driving except when I need to show off pulling a friend out of a really bad situation and that was with my 1979 CJ7 304 V8 when my buddy buried his full size blazer to the axles in mud and I pulled him out while barely breathing on the gas peddle

Auto surely doesn’t allow for a second or two of slip, that’d be ridiculous. If the system is working properly the rear wheels won’t even spin a half revolution.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

Auto surely doesn’t allow for a second or two of slip, that’d be ridiculous. If the system is working properly the rear wheels won’t even spin a half revolution.

with it in 4 auto you get enough slip to do a 90 degree slide on ice before the fronts fully engage but of coarse you have to turn off trac control

 

[Mbrooks420]

Why would you turn off the traction control? I never had ANY issues with 4 Auto, other than mechanically damaging the clutch, and I drove it on tons of snow and ice.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

so you can feel that it takes a second or 2 before the full torque split engages

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d just leave it on and let the system function the way it was engineered. It’s not expected to run with it off.

 

[cloud2or3]

Thanks for all the info guys. Looks like in 99% of the situations I am in, leaving it on the 4x4 Auto default is suffice.

One thing, is the 4x4 Auto truly the 'default'? I have no light or way of knowing it is activated. When I hit the 4x4 HIGH or LOW, the indicators come on in the dash.

 

[garlicmonster]

Thanks for all the info guys. Looks like in 99% of the situations I am in, leaving it on the 4x4 Auto default is suffice.

One thing, is the 4x4 Auto truly the 'default'? I have no light or way of knowing it is activated. When I hit the 4x4 HIGH or LOW, the indicators come on in the dash.

From what I've read, 4x4 auto is indeed the default. There seems to be no way to force RWD-only mode for this generation of explorers with stock setup, unless you do the so called "brown wire" mod:

 

[Mbrooks420]

Yes, it’s always in 4wd auto if 4high, or 4low is activated. I’d only use high in constant low traction situations, and low only if you need a lot of torque, and aren’t going to be going much faster than 20.

 

[cloud2or3]

From what I've read, 4x4 auto is indeed the default. There seems to be no way to force RWD-only mode for this generation of explorers with stock setup, unless you do the so called "brown wire" mod:

Thanks, I came across that video, too. The green light threw me off until I watched the video.