Switching out of '4x4Hi?

[Boomyal]

I am new to this vehicle so I do not know how some things should work or function.

Yesterday I had my first opportunity to try 4 wheel drive. It snowed all day for a total of 6 inches.

When I engage the 4x4 Hi, I get a little 4x4 symbol in the instrument panel. One time I re-hit the button to turn off the 4x4 and the little light went out.
Another time, after having re-engaged it, I hit the switch to turn it off as I drove into an underground parking structure.

The light would not go off. I am assuming the the 4 wheel drive was not dis-engaging. I tried the button several times to no avail. I then stopped the vehicle and tried it again. No luck while stopped nor when starting to roll again.

Finally I hit the 4x4 Auto button and the 4x4 light went out??? What do you think might have been happening. No 4x4 auto indicator is also the subject of an earlier post. You would think that having gone from 4x4 to hitting the auto button, there would be some kind of indication?

...but my primary concern here is the 4x4 High was not disengaging when I hit the button.

 

[Trac Marks]

I've always pressed 4X4 AUTO to "exit" 4x4 HIGH. Was not aware pressing 4x4 HIGH, while already in 4X4 HIGH, would actually disengage it. Surprised that it would. There is no 4X4 AUTO light on your dash, and if there was, you'd quickly be tired of seeing it. You are either in 4 LOW, 4 HIGH, or 4 AUTO, which is 2wd until you have a traction issue. Hope this helps. There is also some quick reference in the owners manual and I believe on the sun visor.

Also, sometimes there is a pause when exiting 4X4 HIGH. The light doesn't always go off immediately as there is action going on in the transfer case and whatnot.

 

[Explorer_PL]

To get out of 4x4 high, hit 4x4 Auto.

You must have hit both the first time, that's why it worked.

 

[Explorer_PL]

To get into 4x4 Low, stop the vehicle, and put the tranny into Neutral.

 

[Boomyal]

Got it all, thanks. That is the way I eventually got it to work.

 

[Boomyal]

I took the Ex out, this afternoon, on the powdery snow laden roads. I left it in "4x4 Auto" and pressed it with more gusto than I had before. As a result, I would get the Advance Track light, intermittently, as I leaned into it. At times it would flash so quickly that I couldn't see what was being displayed.

This all explains why the Explorer seemed to plod on while I watch others spinning their wheels and not making the grade.

This all, even more, makes me happy about my recent acquisition.

 

[HBDY865]

I leave mine in 4x4 auto for everyday driving. I only hit the 4x4 button when on dirt, on the lake or before the plows are out.