Wind-Up

[Bluespear]

Can someone describe the symptoms of 4wd/diff wind-up please?

I'm aware of the problem in principle but not quite sure how it manifests itself.

The reason I ask is that when my Ex was MOT'd the guy in the garage said he'd found out why the 4WD wasn't working .... there was a wire on/near the transfer case which was not connected. He thought it had come apart at a connector & re-attached it. Since then the car has sometimes made some strange groaning noises when turning and on 2 occasions has made a clunk noise whilst also a sensation that one of the front wheels has gone over something about the size of a house-brick in the road. ( By the way I haven't used 4x4 or low since MOT - just left it in auto).

Was that wind-up or is something else really wrong with the car ??

here's some pics of the wire (its the brown wire & the blue connector):

I know it looks a mess down there - someone else has been faffing about with the wiring, but not a clue what they've done.

thanks for looking & any advice thats forthcoming.
Gary

 

[Howard]

That looks like the classic 'Brown wire' mod. Cutting this wire disconnects the electronic clutch and gives you rear wheel only drive. It does sound like you are getting some 'wind up'. It could be that the clutch is faulty and to get around the issue a previous owner cut the wire. Try moving the switch to all 4x4 positions and you should hear the motor 'clunk' the box. Don't forget that to get it into low you must be stationary and in neutral with foot on brake.

 

[Bluespear]

Thanks Howard,
I've had it in low ratio before, so I know that bit works, but haven't checked any of it since MOT. The garage guy cycled the switch & thought it was all ok cos the lights came on the dash for 4X4 & low - obviously he hadn't seen an Ex up close before.

What I don't understand is how/why I might be getting wind-up with the system in auto - last time was on dry roads & was driven fairly gently so no need for front drive to cut in. It was a 30 mile trip & started misbehaving about 300 yards from home.
I'm guessing the is a sensor somewhere which is faulty or has broken wires ???

 

[PHaTGRoB]

Gary. I get something that sounds like wind up. It doesn't do it when it's cold but after a decent drive (something I've not done for a bit 'cos it requires a valid MOT!) it feels like it's winding up on turning. In some ways, it feels more significant on light, slow turns with not excessive power being applied. It doesn't do it when coasting round the corner though, so could be a bearing issue in the front diff or something like that. The 4x4 switching system is working fine, and it does this in 4x4 Auto - so two wheel drive. Is this similar to yours?

 

[JonC]

Guys, to me this sounds like what I describe as "Explorer Groan". Both mine did it in slightly different ways and varying degrees.

I don't think you're getting trans wind-up because generally when you do, it has to let go with an almighty bang somewhere which is usually one wheel breaking grip and slightly spinning to release the stress. If that doesn't happen in a wind-up, something breaks!

It's fairly easy to compare - put it in 4H and try a gentle turn - if your transfer box is working properly, you'll notice the resistance as you turn. In Auto, it's pretty rare the system will actually ask the front to drive anyway unless you're on something really loose.

Jim (Casey) thought it might be the rack as he had a similar issue which a new rack fixed but I'm not sure my description was that good that I'd adequately conveyed what was happening to mine.

Mine does as you describe - a gentle turn and it moans from the front (I think) in a way you can feel at least as much as you can hear it but it doesn't seem to be related to the turning activity - more the fact that you're driving AND turning. It also does it while parking - changing from forward to reverse - which the previous one did much more - and that's why I'm less convinced about the rack.

One thing's for sure - it's prevalent! Any more ideas anyone??

 

[Bluespear]

Phatgrob: yes it does sound similar, but everyone describes things using different words so who can tell ?

Jonc: I get what you're saying, but this didn't happen at all in 14 months driving, then when the brown wire was connected it's done it a couple of times in under a 3 days. I disconnected it at the weekend and today its been fine again .......coincidence, i don't think so.

But as you say .... Any more ideas anyone ???

 

[JonC]

Even more interesting!

I Know a few of the guys have posted stuff about the Explorer transfer system not working too well after long periods of disuse and while I know mine certainly engages properly, I don't know enough about the Ford system to be sure it's coming out fully and I wonder if that's what we're all getting?

It definitely doesn't wind up like I've known Land Rovers to do but it does match your description so well.

I had wondered about dropping the front prop to see what happens. Maybe I'll just snip a brown wire...........

 

[janolsson]

Bluespear
Maybe your transfer case motor is stuck in the 4 hi position so when the wire is connected it energises the 4wd ???
Have you tried (with brown wire connected) to cycle thro the functions whilst staionary. This will tell you if the motor is moving as it will thunk into 4 low. If it does thunk into low, cycle it a few times then in auto (with the wire still connected) go for a drive to test if you still have the same fault.