Switch for control trac help pls

[shaunv8]

Can someone confirm how to put in a switch to switch off awd on my 97 explorer v6. I searched and found some say the yellow wire behind the radio and some say the brown under the seat Can someone PLEASE confirm how is the best to do this and some instructions please as after this search im a little confused cheers shaun PS im in OZ

 

[Yomie]

Use the BROWN wire under the seat, that is the better way.

 

[shaunv8]

switch help

any diagrams on the best way to wire this up please

 

[mridings]

This is the thread you want

Dead Link Removed

Find the brown wire. Some say use a relay, I went with just 14 gauge wire matching whart was there, had no ill effects, except I havent been in 4x4 long enough since to see if the wiring gets hot or not, I doubt it. The amperage is only supposed to be 300-600ma and 14 gauge is overkill for that.
Go to radio shack and get the lighted rocker switch rated at 30Amps.
Cut the brown wire and splice the swirch into it. Off means 2WD, On means AWD/4wd. Can be turned on and off at will. No resetting or screwing around with the gem computer... Works great and did it in about an hour.

 

[tenikiwon]

I don't know if the brown wire was for the AWD. But ControlTrac yes. AWD won't have the switch. Control Trac has AUTO/4WD/4LO

Unbolt the seat and lift it up. Under the carpet will be a bundle of wires. Cut the brown one and add wires to each and run them to a switch. Works great. Lighted switch is better.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by tenikiwon
I don't know if the brown wire was for the AWD. But ControlTrac yes. AWD won't have the switch. Control Trac has AUTO/4WD/4LO

I think Shaun was incorrectly referring to his 4x4 as AWD. You are correct, this procedure is not for the V8 AWD. There is no current way to do something like this to the AWD system.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

I think he is referring to it as the ControlTrac 4x4 in the Auto 4WD setting. He said he has a V6 and if I'm correct, AWD is only available on the V8.

 

[Sallad420]

I've read through the posts, but are still a little confused.

If I get this right, the switch will disengage power to the front wheels.

I thought that is what the switch in the dash does already? I have a 96 XL (4.0) and the switch says, 2WD, Auto 4WD, 4LOW.

So are you guys saying that even in 2WD, there is still 4% of the power going to the front axle?

Or... by adding the switch, it changes it from Auto 4WD to full time 4WD? Thereby disabling the Auto 4WD feature?

Please explain, thanks!

 

[mridings]

No salad

On our ControlTrac models, we do not have a 2WD position, it is always in Automatic All Wheel Drive. (Until we install the switch that disengages the Torque On Demand signal)
We are adding an option that you already have if you have a 2WD position.

 

[tenikiwon]

I think the 96's did have 2WD, if the center one is auto, then that sucks

 

[Sallad420]

Oh, I see. So in 97 and later, they don't have a 2WD position on the switch? Wierd...

Thanks for the reply

 

[shaunv8]

so has any one had any problems with the brown wire option. im in oz so will it be any different on the car here and does anyone have instructions and advice on what the 4wd lights will do if i cut the brown etc cheers shaun

 

[mridings]

ights are all normal

If you use the brown wire option all is normal on the dash, and with your computer. When you cut the brown wire the computer is sending a signal to the "on demand tourque" that just never makes it. It's a sublime solution, I love it. No hassles and does just what you want.

 

[shaunv8]

so where exactly is the brown wire taking into consideration im in oz left or right front seat needs to be removed cheers

 

[mridings]

well...

In the U.S. it is under the drivers seat, did you check out the other thread? I dont believe there are any other harness under either seat. So I think you have a better than 50-50 shot if you pull the left hand seat