Replace gem

[excavatinghoss]

I have a 01 explorer sport that needs the gem replaced for the 4x4 to work. I'm told it has to be put in by ford, but if I find a gem on the same model car, can i just throw that in myself?

 

[just1me]

The 2001-2003 Sport is different, the 4x4 doesn't go through the GEM, it has a separate module located behind the front passenger kick panel. It can be easily done yourself. Go to the site below go to projects, look under maintenance, you will find the 4x4 module replacement pdf instructions.

www.mysporttrac.com

 

[excavatinghoss]

But is that website only for sporttracs or sports too

 

[excavatinghoss]

The thing is my mechanic said that he scanned it and said that the problem is the gem, so I don't know where he's getting that from

 

[just1me]

It's not the GEM, the 2001-2003 Sport and 2001-2005 SportTrac are very similar to each other, the main difference is the SportTrac is a truck version basically of the Explorer Sport. They share a lot of common ground from the front bumper to the dash, to drive train components, etc. If you look behind your passenger kick panel you will see the 4x4 module, that is what has to do with the 4x4 controls for the electric transfer case. The 01-03, and 01-05 Sport/SportTrac 4x4 system is wired a bit differently than the traditional Explorer, instead of going through the GEM, it has it's own separate 4x4 module.

What exactly is wrong with your Sport, what are the symptoms, problems your having?

 

[excavatinghoss]

The switch for the 4x4 doesn't light up at all, it doesn't engage, and the indicators in the dash don't light up, he told me he read a B1342 code

 

[just1me]

Is your ABS light on? I would try replacing the 4x4 module in the passenger kick panel, then test out 4x4.

 

[excavatinghoss]

I'm getting my tires changed and while it was in the air, I tried spinning the front tire by hand and noticed that the front drive shaft spun with it, is 4x4 engaged?