Transfer case problem

[Aussie_jase]

Hi all,
Has anyone ever had a problem with the transfer case on a 97 XLT not disengaging?? I was using mine on a beach the other day , when i was coming off i went to disengage 4x4 LOW and nothing happened. The switch was in AUTO mode and the truck was still in low range. After switching the car off all together and trying again , i noticed on start up the 4x4 HI and 4x4 Low lights were flashing about 5 or six times every minute or so. Does anyone know what this means?? The only fix was for the mobile mechanic guy to dis-connect the battery , which of course has reset all computer setting , the car now has to go to Ford for resetting. But im curious if anyone knows what causes this. Any help would be really great.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Rob_B]

I can't really help you, but I had the same thing happen to me a couple months ago. Resetting the computer got it back into 4 Auto., but I haven't been able to put it in 4Lo since. Hope u have better luck, and if u get fixed could u please post what was wrong?

 

[dogfriend]

The flashing 4wd lights are the GEM (generic electronic module) trying to tell you that it detected a problem with the 4wd system. The GEM controls the shifting (low to high) of the t-case and the engagement of the t-case clutch which supplies power to the front driveshaft.

The shift motor has a four position encoder switch to tell the GEM its position. When it didn't shift out of low range but the GEM realized that the switch was not in low range, that was probably what set the GEM off. I don't think that you will necessarily have to go back to the dealer to reset anything; the PCM (powertrain control module) which is separate from the GEM will relearn all of the idle settings, etc. while you drive it. I think that the GEM uses non-volatile memory, so you won't lose anything from it when you remove power.

If it occurs again, I'm guessing that you have a problem with the shift motor, which is a fairly common problem on the early Explorers. The shift motor looks like a larger windshield wiper motor mounted on the rear of the t-case. If you search here on shift motor, you should find a lot of info on it.

 

[Aussie_jase]

Thanks for the help guys , helped me understand how the system works. I still had to drop it into Ford as disconnecting the power has jumbled a few things up, immobilizer , and a clicking coming from under the steering column which sounds a bit like a relay clicking on and off to name a couple. Can overheating cause a problem with the transfer case motor and make these lights come on?? Also it is working fine again now after the battery was disconnected, it goes in and out of all ranges like normal , very strange??

 

[tenikiwon]

Clicking? Did this go away?

Does your 4LOW still work?