Push Botton 4WD not working!

[redridernewbie]

I have a `93 Explorer Sport with push button 4WD. Whenever I push the button for 4 high or low range nothing happens. Before when I would engage the 4WD I would hear a clicking in the back left compartment, then it would kick in. But now I don't hear anything. Once the light for the 4WD came on, but it never engaged. If someone could help me out I would really apprieciate it. Thank You.

 

[thefordtech]

it is probably the contacts in the transfercase motor send me an email and i can tell you how to fix........ thefordtech@yahoo.com put explorer problem in subject

 

[F14CRAZY]

As with most all other cases, it's probably the shift motor. I would first suggest banging on the shift motor, mounted on the transfer case, with a hammer or similar object. If it doesn't work after that, you can either replace the motor ($300+ from Ford and no local parts stores carry it) or clean it. Search the forum about this problem and about cleaning the motor.

 

[cfkane]

Disassemble the contact wiper portion of the motor and clean the carbon deposits off with an eraser then brake cleaner.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The relays in the back don't click when the T case motor doesn't work? I thought they did.

 

[cjbarron5]

i would go through the relays first make sure you dont have a bad relay or a blown fuse (sometimes the solution is more obvious than you think start simple and work towards the harder)

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to the site! You will find a wealth of information to get your X back in good shape.

A New Shift Motor is $180 from various On-line sources (As usual the dealer is $$$). Before going that route I would Search this site for various Shift Motor Threads. I have removed and cleaned my shift motor several times and it's still alive and kicking today...At first it was a real PITA to fix (because I had never worked on it before). But once you dive into it it isn't really that hard...

 

[Az_NavajoRob]

Listen to DeRocha, he is right on the money. Ignore the other comments about relays, yours is a gen 1 and doesn't have them (has a module instead). Also, the contacts that are in the shift motor cover are also for the little led that comes on in the dash so if you see the light on, it is because the motor has turned the contact wheel into the proper position to touch the contacts and complete the circuit. In short (excuse the pun), if your 4x4 light is on, your in 4wd, if your low range light is on, your in 4L (unless you have the motor off and are troubleshooting.

 

[Christobal65]

I agree listen to DeRocha just pull the motor off the TC clean it up and reinstall and it should work just fine. I did this several years ago on my Explorer with great results.

Good luck

 

[Bwana Bob]

Also, before you take the shift motor out, just unplug the wiring harness connector from the transfer case and clean the connector pins and sockets with De-oxit or a good quality electrical contact cleaner. Then mate and unmate the connectors a few times.

Bob

 

[B94Sport]

Ahh, it's that time of year again! I remember having to clean my shift motor around this time each year. Don't worry, it's easy, and you'll get really good at it. I could do it in about half an hour the last time I did it.

 

[TSTONE]

Dead Link Removed

 

[91RedExplorer]

Is it SUPPOSE to make a Loud Clicking sound when you are in 4WD?? mine does and i can like feel it. I don't know if its messed up or just suppose to be like that...i don't use it anymore because of the noise


and if anyone wants to drive out to central NJ to fix this problem, i wouldn't mind at all lol

 

[DeRocha]

If the clicking noise is coming from the wheels then your autohubs are not locking properly.. You can search on the various thread on how to clean the autohubs to remove any crud or grease which has found its way into it (The hub should have minimal grease in it, if packed with grease it will pre-load the hidden spring mechanism at the end of the hub into the disengaged positon).

Of course the real fix would be to ditch the autohubs and pickup a pair of manuals for $200. The manuals are easy to install and will only take a hour for even the novice mechanic. A pair of autohubs will run over $400 at the dealer..

 

[Bwana Bob]

Sme clicking noises are normal. I have a first gen (92). When 4WD is engaged, the relay in the control module (in the back in the jack compartment) will click. This engages the transfer case via the shif motor. Both 4WD lights on the panel should light up (one light next to the pushbutton and the other light down low to the right of the steering column). If the lights don't come on then the shift motor is not working right. May be as simple as cleaning the contacts on the harness connector that plugs into the T-case, or you might have to remove the motor itself to clean the internal contacts.

Once the T-cas is engaged and you move, the front axles will start turning. This will engage the hubs. The hubs click once as they engage. Then if you back up, they will click once again when thay disengage, then once again as they engage in reverse.

If the hubs make ratcheting noises (as mine did) , grinding noises, a loud bang (as mine also did), or cause severe steering problems (s mine did), its time to service or replace them. You may be able to buy some time by soaking them with gear oil or ATF, but the best fix is to replace then with manual hubs. I recently did this its easy, and now i have the peace of mind of not having to guess if they engaged or disengaged properly.

Bob

 

[mitch]

What if both lights come on (the push button and the 4x4 indicator light beside the steering column), the 3 clicks or so, can be heard from the back compartment, and when the truck is in the air on a lift and in drive (with the 4x4 button pushed) the back wheels turn and both drive shafts turn, but not the front tires. Is it the auto locking hubs or something else?
Mitch

 

[Bwana Bob]

Mitch:

This may be OK. It says that the transfer case and shift motor are working. Are the front axles turning? Don't forget, unless you have a locker or limited slip diff, the wheels may not all turn, especiially if they're off the ground. Also, the front hubs may need some resistance to make them lock. If the front wheel is held stilll, and the front axle turns, the cam follower will ride up on the cam and lock the hubs. Try holding the wheel by hand and turning the axle shaft or front driveshaft by hand with a chain wrench and see if the hub locks. Engine off, transmission in neutral, of course.

Bob

 

[mitch]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try it

 

[Tedman]

any have a photo of the notorious relay? in its place that is.
I just bought the 91 and love it but im also hopelesly lost in technical specs.

I wanna use the 4X4 but my 91 says 2X4 is good enough

 

[TPLYNCH]

There was a post recently with a picture of it... Someone had inadvertantly removed it thinking it was an amplifier..... It is located in the rear above the wheel well.