TRANSFER EXPERTS I NEED HELP!!

[oso_polar]

Long history... I went to the beach yesterday, long history... two or three rivers crossed, get in the sand an the X start to loose power and start getting stuck, reverse, foward, then I notice that my front tires weren't turning at all, but the rear has the 4L power, so I was in 2L, so I got stuck really hard, pulled by a montero dakar, he also got stuck... OOOOOPSSS!!

So me an my friend were rigth there in the middle of the beach stuck and connected by a tow strap, time for the hi lift to work, after almost 35 minutes we got the trucks unstucked, and in safe ground, but the
X was still in 2L!!!! I try everything, from restarting the vehicle, to turning on and off 4L, 4H, everything... then unplugged the transfer motor, and the plug was wet, so I dry it out, but nothing....

So... this is how I know it is still in 2L, when I switch to 4L, I can turn the front tires right or left, and move the car with out hearing the pumping sound down there... so I assume that the front driveshaft is not turning at all...

At this time my battery is disconected to reset the computer, maybe it has an error or something, I will get back to you in 15 minutes or less, to see what happen...

PLEASE I REALLY NEED HELP ON THIS ONE... Oh, and I just put fresh oil on it on yesterday morning...

 

[Big J]

I beilive you should put the oil in it not on it. Does your electric shifting motor come on when you press the 4X4 buttons ethier low or high. Or is it a manuel shift.

 

[Jason_25]

oso, I think you should first remove the shift motor and try to dry it out. It is what controls the shift from high to low, and if it got water in it, I guess it could have shorted out or something.

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by Jason_25
oso, I think you should first remove the shift motor and try to dry it out. It is what controls the shift from high to low, and if it got water in it, I guess it could have shorted out or something.

But he said he had Lo. EDIT: oh, I think i see now. you think he's stuck in Lo, whereas I read it and assumed he just didn't have power to the front, whether in hi or lo.

It sounds like the t-case clutch (that supplies power to the front) isn't working. What kind of Oil did you put in it? ATF I hope.

 

[oso_polar]

You're right Jefe, I think that's the problem!! the transfer was leaking 2 weeks ago, but I just change the oil and put some CASTROL DEXRON II, IN IT!! no t on it!! sorry about that...

But nothing happens...I think is the clutch too, but it will be like 500 bucks just for a check, I disconected the batery, and nothing, I can turn the steering wheel all the way left or right, with 4Low, and it doesn't jump or bump or hit the case, anything!!!!!! NEED HELP!!!

Oh and I'm not stuck in 4LOW, I could drive in auto, or high or even low, but my front tires don't have power!!!!!

 

[Robert]

Is CASTROL DEXRON II Mercon compatible? If not that might be your problem. Either that or running it dry might have burned up the internal clutches.

 

[oso_polar]

My owners manual says DEXRON II / DEXRON III, and that day I just add some, but yesterday I change it all for new oil...

 

[TPLYNCH]

Make sure all the plugs are connected on your transfer case. They can get knocked off. If everything's connected, you can try cleaning the shift motor. Instructions here - Dead Link Removed

 

[oso_polar]

I already did that today, but that's not the problem it works fine, but anyway I clean it all Inside and out side, there was some drops of water in there, new gasket and voila!!.... Clean all the conections with electronic cleaner, but nothing!!!

I think the problem is inside the transfer... Anyone could post an exploded view of the transfer case?????????? Please!!!!?!?!??!?!
I don't have the repair manual yet...!!!

 

[oso_polar]

Do we have auto hubs or something?? If the answer is yes, then that could be the problem, what if it is locked on "FREE" and the front tranny won't go in 4H or 4L !?!?

Don't laugh at me if we don't have hubs please I'm desperate here!!!

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by oso_polar
Do we have auto hubs or something?? If the answer is yes, then that could be the problem, what if it is locked on "FREE" and the front tranny won't go in 4H or 4L !?!?

Don't laugh at me if we don't have hubs please I'm desperate here!!!

The front hubs on your Explorer are always locked. The front driveshaft spins freely all the time in 2WD, except when locked by the transfer case in 4WD. Get someone to check underneath to see if the driveshaft is spinning in 2WD while you drive ahead.

If it is spinning fine, then the problem is definitley in the transfer case.

 

[oso_polar]

My X is 4x4 auto all the time, so it spins all time, but I really believe that the front dirveshaft clucht is not engaging!!!

I will go to a the dealer tomorrow, and make them lift the tires on air, to see what happens in auto, 4H or 4L, I will update tomorrow, it's late here, I'm going to bed...

 

[Crankcase]

It sure sounds like the clutch. Good luck at the dealer, don't let them rip you off too bad.

 

[section525]

What did it end up being??

 

[oso_polar]

Sorry John...

Hi I'm back, but no news about this... sorry John, the thing is, that I was waiting till Xmast vacations to send my X to the dealer, but down here in my country a GENERAL STRIKE begun at december second, and all dealers close their doors, we hardly find gas after 4 hours waiting in very very long lines of cars, so, with no gas, no car, no transfer case problem...

Well we will have to wait till the strike stop, then I will bring some more news...

I read your email, but I think my problem is a little diferent, because when I swicth to 4hi or 4lo I feel the rear tires have the power but the front tires doesn't engage... the lights don't blink at all, same as yours, but its turn on, 4hi or 4lo it depends... I think maybe your problem could be the shift motor, if it doesn't have the power, then anything is engaging... get someone to turn the swicht while your hear the motor swichting... maybe a deep clean maybe need it... By the way, GOOD JOB! YOUR X LOOKS REALLY GREAT! Good luck with the t-case....

 

[section525]

Thanks for the reply, oso! But hers also changes gears.. it does have 2LO now! Oh well, I'll probably tear it off this weekend and set it on fire. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[Doug]

It kinda sounds like an electrical problem with the t-case. I know when my t-case went it would make this nice ratcheting noise. If its not making any strange noises it might be the electrical connections to the t-case. if they for whatever reason became damaged while you where in low you would stay in low and your font axle wouldnt engage. Id try checking the connections that goto the t-case.