Will an e1354 stay in 4hi when shifted with pliers?

[Rust_Sucks]

Hello all,

It has been awhile, but I just got a `91 Explorer Sport. I think the 4wd shift motor is going out on it. I don`t know that I will want to put another electric motor on it, or have time to build a manual shifting rig for it before winter Will the transfer case stay in 4hi for road driving if you just shift it with pliers(i.e. without the motor on the transfer case)? Anybody have experience either way?

Thanks,
Jake

 

[natenkiki2004]

Yea, you can shift it by hand. There's actually a product on the market that does what you describe;
http://theshiftster.com/

What I don't know is if you need something to hold the "dial" you shift while in operation.

I don't think I've seen many shift motors go bad completely. It's usually a case of rebuilding what you have for cheap and then re-installing. That or a wiring/electrical issue elsewhere. What exactly are your symptoms?

 

[Rust_Sucks]

Ya, I was looking at the shiftster earlier. It is about what I want, but I don`t know if I want to pay $60+ shipping to still have to get under the truck every time I need 4wd.

As far as symptoms, the truck doesn`t do anything when I push the button(no noises or lights of any kind). I haven`t done any troubleshooting yet. It worked when I tested it before buying the truck.....

I have been looking into rebuilding the motor, which may be how I go about it. If all else fails, I could probably just turn the shaft to 4-hi, rotate the motor to that position, and put it back on. I think the motor just holds it under normal operation(no constant voltage), so that should work. I have manual lockouts on the front, so for all the more I`m going to be driving it I could just leave it in 4-hi if I can get it to stay there.

 

[natenkiki2004]

If you don't get any lights or relays clicking, I'd count the motor out as being the cause. Start looking at fuses and relays. They're easy to swap around. The issue could also be the button itself, corrosion or a loose connection.

 

[RangerX]

What a great question the thread title is! I completely relate. I shifted that way for years, but unfortunately, I don't think I ever put it in 4hi that way, just 4lo. I know lo stays put, but good question on the hi. How about just try it as a test, before you need it. That way you'll know.

 

[Rust_Sucks]

I haven`t looked around yet at the electrical system that runs the shift motor, so it may well be a toasted fuse or relay. I should dig my explorer haynes manual out of storage at mom`s, dust it off after nearly six years!

RangerX, I was thinking of trying it, but I don`t have anywhere to wheel around here. I guess I could just drive it around for a couple days with the lockouts free and see what happens? I`m not sure that would be an adequate test since the front tires would not actually be getting torque.

 

[RangerX]

I would think just 5 or 10 minutes of driving and you'd know.
Have you seen this thread? It should help you figure out where your problem is. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202166

 

[Rust_Sucks]

I might try it over the weekend just to find out. Depends on how the rest of the work to the truck goes. Thanks for the link, I had not seen that one.

 

[murkinstock]

Yes it will in fact stay in 4hi. My 4x4 wasn't working last winter so that's what I had to do. Though it's really inconvenient.

 

[Rust_Sucks]

I may still try it over the weekend. Looks a little cold this coming weekend....

Also, I tried the 4wd again with everything off and I could just barely hear a click coming from somewhere behind me. I still haven`t done any actually diagnoses.

 

[mr cribb]

I believe there is a transfer case computer located in the panel behind the drivers seat.

I stripped a 4 door truck for parts and it was in the cargo area behind the back seat. I figured it out because I traced the wires and followed them through the floorboard leading to the t-case.

I hope this helps some.

 

[Rust_Sucks]

Ok, so I tried to do some troubleshooting yesterday. I could not figure it out, and not wanting to spend countless hours in the cold messing with it, I decided to try shifting it manually. I marked the motor, and took it out. There is no detent for 4hi when using pliers to shift it, but you can feel where it is based on when the shift rod quits trying to spring itself into 2wd. I put it in 4hi(hubs unlocked) and drove it for about 5 miles just to see what would happen. It stayed engaged, and acted just fine. I am working out a way to make a manual shift in the cab for it now.