Stuck in four wheel drive

[Robbie Mohn]

I have searched all the posts pertaining to the transfer case being stuck in and out of four wheel drive and not going in or out of low/high range. Most of them touched on and around my issue but none hit the nail on the head. Mine is stuck in 4High and will not disengage or go into low range, which I discovered through the threads that this is the shift motor being bad. But through it all I still have not heard/read anything diagnosing this specific issue. I did read something about a TC clutch, but that topic never got explored.. I have pulled fuses, disconnected the leads to the TC, and have had to pull the drive line just to be able to drive it without fear of it breaking something. It had a vibration in a straight line. Stopping and starting was jerky, and turning...even in the dirt was uncomfortably loud and clunky.

All of my 4X4 experience is with manual locking hubs, trans and TC. Some experience with vacuum, but this electric auto 4X4 is driving me batty. I am fairly handy, I just need to know which direction to go now.

 

[RangerX]

Maybe something in this thread can help: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-not-working-a-troubleshooting-how-to.203441/
If not, browse though the stickied threads at the top of the transmission/tcase section.
Welcome to the forum!

 

[jmvb]

Which year and class is your explorer?

 

[Robbie Mohn]

It is a 2000 sport

 

[jmvb]

I guess that you have a 4.0 one

Do you have any 4wd light on into the dashboard?

That model has an electromagnetic clutch inside the transfer case to engage the front driveshaft.

The 4wd system have 4wd auto - high - low.

And I guess that you're stuck in high. You need to know if you have a mechanical problem inside of the transfer case, or an electrical problem in the TCCM

The first thing that you would try, is the "brown wire mod", in order to know if it is an electrical problem

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...e-comprehensive-brown-wire-mod-thread.149388/

 

[Robbie Mohn]

jmvb...Yes, it is a 4.0. The switch on the dash is (as you say) auto-4high-4low. It will light up 4High but not 4Low when I rotate the knob. It is stuck in high. I have disconnected the complete wiring harness at the shift motor, with no effect.

 

[jmvb]

Please read my post again

When the transfer go to Hi, the shift motor do nothing. The electromagnetic clutch engage the front drive shaft.

 

[spinnn]

Find the fuse for the TC clutch, and yank it, then drive your truck, crank the wheel in one direction or another, and see if the driveline binds...if you know what that feels like...the truck should come to a stop and resist movement without spinning tires. If it doesn't bind, then you are good for now, and can drive it on dry pavement.
As for the underlying cause... you would want to put the fuse back whereever you can work at it, and probe the brown wire where it goes into the TC. If it has no power, it's a mechanical fault inside the TC. If it does have power, there's an electronic fault.
The one time I went to Jiffy Lube, I had them change the trans fluid and transfer case fluid. They put gear oil in both. After a couple of sessions farting around in the woods, I found that my TC was locked into 4; that is, the electromechanical clutch would not release. I attribute this to the gear oil being so freaking thick that the clutch plates were suctioned together. I could be wrong, tho, wouldn't be the first time lol.
If it is an electronic issue, suspect bad speed sensor readings to the GEM??? Or a faulty GEM?

 

[1991 sploder]

You guys are so helpful, did 2016 call and ask?