Stuck in 4 wheel drive, Maybe bigger problems | Ford Explorer Forums

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Stuck in 4 wheel drive, Maybe bigger problems

dr_starcraft

Well-Known Member
Joined
November 16, 2005
Messages
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City, State
Houghton, MI
Year, Model & Trim Level
'99 XLT
Hey-

So I have noticed recently that after the all the roads aren't so snow covered anymore that my explorer turns like it is in 4wd. (The wheels slip and do not like to be turning on dry pavement)

It seems like it switches to 4-lo fine, and comes out fine, but when the switch is in the "auto" setting the truck still drives like its in full time 4wd.

I have previously done the Brown wire mod, and verified that it works, so I thought that if I turned my brown wire switch the problem would go away and the truck would at least be able to turn without making the wheels bind...

...No such luck, so now I'm thinking that its mechanically stuck in 4wd. What do you think?

Thanks for any feedback.
 






Cut wire

I would try cutting the brown wire first before assuming anything, just in case you have an electrical short. Mine sticks in 4wd all the time anymore. The way I tested mine was I turn in an un-level parking lot until I felt the front wheels bind. The while it was binded up I turned off the ignition with it in neutral. Sure enough once the computer lots its power with the key off, away it rolled without problems. Not sure what the "brown wire mod" is, but I am thinking of just running the brown wire back up the the dash and putting a toggle on it so I can cut it when not using 4wd. For now I just leave my stereo bezel screws out so I can pull out the radio and unplug the 4wd from the GEM module. There are 3 plugs on the side of the GEM. The thrid one down is the 4wd one. If ya unplug it it stays in 2 wheel. That's my temp solution for now cause it only takes me 30 seconds to do.
 






Interesting, I will probably try turning it off in neutral to see what happens... However, I am fairly confident in my wiring of my Brown wire mod switch, So I think I can rule out the shorting option.
 






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