Problems engaging HI/LO from Auto

[Brit Explorer]

Folks,

Sadly as a Brit living in the home counties of England my 4.0 Explorer only sees use on the road, none of that off road stuff. However, just to keep some oil around my vehicles moving parts, occassionally I select HI or LO drive (normally I just travel around in Auto).

Unfortunately during the last couple of goes she seems to get stuck in these other 4WD modes and I have a load of trouble switching back to Auto - involving returning through neutral, selecting drive, stopping the car, starting, driving, etc until some clonking noises occur and she resorts to Auto mode. It's got to the point where I daren't try again as I fear I will never get her back into Auto.

Do I have a problem or do they all do this??? Are there any tips for selecting the other drive modes??

Any help much appreciated,

- Andy.

 

[Majisto]

I don't own a 4X4, but I think you are supposed to go into reverse while going into Auto and go about 5 MPH or so for a second or two...

 

[Brit Explorer]

Hmmm, thanks Majisto - doesn't mention that in the manual but perhaps that would help....anyone else have any ideas before I go ahead and get her stuck in "LO"???

Cheers all

 

[Majisto]

I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you. But I did just notice you have a Chimaera! I've always had a passion for British sports cars (The Lotuses being my fav.). How is the little TVR?

 

[Robert]

No, going into R and backing up won't help. On the '94 and earlier Explorers you had to back up about 10 feet to disengage the auto hubs. Starting in '95, Ford did away with the auto hubs and connect the front wheel directly to the front differential through CV joints. There is nothing to disengage by backing up.

The noise isn't good though. First be sure you are selecting Low range properly. Your transfer case can be shifted between Auto and High at any speed or direction. To shift into Low though you need to be stopped, transmission in N and foot on the brake (or clutch). Next be sure you don't drive in High or Low on pavement. Finally, if you don't use Low range fairly often, the shift solenoid that switches between Auto/High and Low can get stuck. Also, be sure your transfer case has the correct level of Mercon transmission fluid in it. If it's been more than 30K miles since the fluid has been changed, it's past due.

 

[Brit Explorer]

Thanks Robert,

As it happens my X goes in for a service in a couple of weekend's time and I'll get the guys at the local Ford dealer to have a look at this (I'll give them a copy of your posting). Unfortunately the Ford "experts" at the dealers in the UK only rarely come accross Explorers - Ford stopped exporting them here a couple of years back (hence why mines a '98 model) and don't get to work on them very much in practice. Usual reaction is "Big aren't they" - !!!!!!

Hi again Majisto,

The "little" TVR is fabulous thanks. These cars are complete beasts - it only has a small V8 by American standards but she can still do 0-60MpH in 4.7 seconds and cruise at 147MpH. With my sports exhaust she sounds really fabulous and I always get a stare when I rumble trhough a local village - they're a handmade car that are still relatively rare and oodles of fun to drive. My favourite is the TVR Tuscan though - but at £57,000 I'll need to save a bit longer!! I understand TVR's don't comply with US vehicle regs and hence you don't see them over there - shame, they'd give your Viper's, Mustangs, etc a good run for their money I reckon. The Lotus is good (my pal has one) but has nowhere near the grunt/torque of the TVR which leaves it standing in a straight line, the Lotus handles like it's on rails though - over here you're either a Lotus man or a TVR man.......

All the best to all for the New Year, oh, and vote out Bush will you so our man Blair has to think for himself.

 

[UK Explorer]

Hooray....that means there are at least two of us in the UK

 

[Brit Explorer]

Hi Bruce,

Hoorah! I did once see another on the road too so I think there are probably 3 in the UK.

 

[UK Explorer]

It was probably me, I visit your area occasionally so still only us

 

[Brit Explorer]

Thinking about it, you're probably right, the roads aren't big enough to carry three of us.......

 

[UK Explorer]

 

[Robert]

Isn't Howard in the UK also? You guys might be more crowded than you think

 

[John_Rock]

2002 1.25 4 Ford Fiesta - Wife

Wow! A 1.25 Liter Ford Fiesta? Almost sounds like a bottle of liquor and not a car.