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Four wheel driving not working properly

Tiny
LINDA RYDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 0.6L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
4 wheel drive was working great then all of a sudden went to back out put it in four wheel and it made a clunk and now it won't work so there is no four wheel drive now. We have about a foot or more of snow. Do you know what could be the problem? It's a switch on the dash that puts it in four wheel drive.
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Saturday, January 18th, 2020 AT 3:07 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

This could be the actuator motor on the transfer case but needs to be confirmed.

I attached a diagram and some other information for you. You need to test for voltage to the motor when commanding 2 or 4 wheel drive.

Roy

Removal

WARNING: The electrical power supply to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning of the air suspension switch located in the rear jack storage area. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

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2. Disconnect the electrical connector.

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3. Remove the coil wire from the electrical connector.
1 Remove the connector interlock.
2 Remove the coil wire pin.
Use the proper electrical connector pin remover.

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4. CAUTION: Note each sensor wire pin location for correct installation.

Remove the front and rear output shaft speed sensor wire pins from the electrical connector.
Use the proper electrical connector pin remover.

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5. Remove the transfer case shift motor.
1 Remove the four bolts.
Remove the transfer case shift motor.

Installation

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1. NOTE: Make sure the motor mounting surfaces are clean.

Apply a 3 mm (1/8 inch) bead of sealant to the motor mounting surface on the case.
Use Black Non-Acid Cure Silicone Rubber E7TZ-19562-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ES L-M4G273-A.

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2. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
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Saturday, January 18th, 2020 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
LINDA RYDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you very much for your help.
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Sunday, January 19th, 2020 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Monday, January 20th, 2020 AT 3:29 AM
Tiny
JAYANDAJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
1999 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

My 4 wheel drive is not working. The transfer case motor is working for drive range but front wheels are not turning. Eletrical wires seem to be in good shape. How do I make the front wheels turn? I desperatly need the 4 wheel drive to work.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Are you sure the actuator on the transfer case is working? That is the most common problem with these vehicles.

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAYANDAJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Not for certain. When turning the knob on dash while in nuetral you can here the transfer case changing gears from 4 high to 4 low. The trans. Acts to be in 4 low but the front driveshaft still isnt pulling front wheels. In the snow the rear wheels turn but front driveshaft never turns. So the actuatur seems to be putting the the transfer case into low gear otherwise the transmission wouldnt act any different. I can hear the motor turn and gears sound to be interlocking? Are they? Could the actuator not be working and still sound as its working?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SABBOT69
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
1999 Ford Explorer

4wheel not working replased shift motor had no luck lights on dash working took shift motor off tride shifting manualy still does not work hope I doent need tc
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Are you getting power to the 4wd actuator? If so and it still doesn't shift, check the vacuum hoses going to the front differential.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUNOBARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
On my Explorer, the dash lights for the 4X4 High & 4X4 Low are flashing at the same time. In testing the 4 wheel drive, the system is not working. One person told me it could be the fuse. In checking those, all are good. The ones to the left of the dash beside the door & the ones under the hood, driver side. My next thought was, could it be the relay? Which one is it? & How do I test it? The 4 wheel drive does not get used very often, except in winter and the vehicle is in great shape. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The relay is in the power distribution box under the hood. The cover on the box identifies what each thing is. What to do is locate the relay and switch it with one with the same part number. Let me know what you find with that. Also, if that does nothing, check to see if there is power to the actuator on the transfer case.

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
G.GRIDER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 82,000 MILES
Four wheel drive will not engage
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
When you switch to 4wd, can you hear the actuator working on the transfer case?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
G.GRIDER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I here no sound at all
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKY AYERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 227,542 MILES
So my four wheel drive auto will not engage the light lights up in the dash and you can hear the vacuum solenoids clicking up front by the right headlight. Put the SUV in "N" and hear nothing in four wheel drive auto but I can hear it engage in four wheel drive low. Not sure what the problem is any help would be great.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the shift relay and see if motor gets power through both ways then scan for codes auto parts can for free if a code get back to us. It can also be the GEM module bad for that as well. See picture on location and what wires to check on motor on t-case.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BENMELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 188,000 MILES
I HAVE THE EXPLORER I LIVE IN C.T. AND IT IS VERY COLD. The four wheel drive is not engaging when I turn the knob to 4x4 only the lights come on in the dash board why isnt it engaging?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi ben the front axles are most likely not engageing. Remove the small motor on the axle dissassemble and clean. Also one on transfer case. Good luck billymac
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PUCK123
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
I have a 95 explorer, the 4x4 lights r flahing and my 4x4 doesnt work.I checked the fuse its good. I also tried changing the shiftmotor no luck. Can u help me im stuck, and dont want to take it to a dealer they charge too much?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You need to have the code(s) read, auto zone does it free, write them down and post here. All tires are the same EXACT size?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
I agree with his recommendation. However, have you ever checked to see if you are getting power to the 4wd actuator from the switch?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)

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