Stuck in 4 high 1994 explorer

[Matt 1994]

I have a 1994 explorer last night I was driving in my back yard and it was slick so I pushe'd the 4 high button shortly after that the light turned off and now it will not turn back on it acts like the is no power I have checked it I have 4 wires going to my switch with power and 4 with out I do not here anything my my transfer case or in the back cargo area but the four wheel drive is stuck on and I had to drive it to work like that and I no its not good for it any help or advice is welcomed

 

[natenkiki2004]

I can't help you a ton with the diagnosis but for a real quick fix, you can unbolt the shift motor from the transfer case and manually rotate it back into 2wd.

 

[smegun]

I have a 1994 explorer last night I was driving in my back yard and it was slick so I pushe'd the 4 high button shortly after that the light turned off and now it will not turn back on it acts like the is no power I have checked it I have 4 wires going to my switch with power and 4 with out I do not here anything my my transfer case or in the back cargo area but the four wheel drive is stuck on and I had to drive it to work like that and I no its not good for it any help or advice is welcomed

ive got a 94 vin x on high humidity days morning due i get a partial light that wont go out for awhile sometimes ...its a malfunction there is no engagement just a half lit light 4x4high i put it in neutral and start pushing buttons it goes away engaging and disengaging the 4x4 low high etc ... the light brightens up during ...i figure my sills have too many rust holes and moisture builds up near the circuit box causing the false high trippy though when its half lit

 

[larrydd999]

Matt, there is an extensive write-up elsewhere on this site regarding the 4x4 shift motor and how to fix it or replace it. I'm not good at searching things out, but perhaps someone else will point you to the proper location. Basically, the shift motor has a stop bushing inside that fails eventually, allowing its gear to go past the normal stop. When it does so, the shift module (in the back on the driver's side) doesn't know what position the shift motor is in (the gear has electrical contacts to indicate the position) so it refuses to do anything.

 

[davidk]

Matt, read the 4x4 troubleshooting in the list of useful threads: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/4x4-troubleshooting-guide.202166/

Pay special attention to the stop bumper, a plastic bushing that disintegrates over time. I fixed mine with a piece of rubber hose (per the instructions) a number of years and many thousands of miles ago and it's worked fine ever since (as long as you engage 4WD occasionally to keep it loose). I'm not a mechanic but it is straightforward. That fix saved me $$$$$ because the dealership said I needed a new transfer case motor. And that is why I am HAPPY to pay $20/year for Elite Explorer.