1997 Ford Explorer rear tires spin and front tires rarely e

WCR-63

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

Is there a quick troubleshoot as to why my front tires rarely engage even though my rear tires are spinning, I can hear the transfer case motor shift from high range to low range and vise versa, what sensors would be involved to engage clutch in transfer case, also the truck was just e-tested and needed an o2 sensor, and since then my engine light comes on, any connection?

5 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok first call your local parts stores and find one that will do a free scan and find out why the engine light is on. As for the 4x4 first thing is to get into the cargo area and on the left side you have your jack and such in there is a module. I need you to unplug the 5 pin and 8 pin connector They are on the same side of the module there is a connector on the other side that you leave pluged in. Now turn the key on engine off and watch the 4x4 lights one of them should blink 4 times. Let me know what you find.

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Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 AT 9:56 AM

WCR-63

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi, sorry for the delay, anyways I looked in the comp. And I have 2 square relays and 2 rectangular relays but I can't seem to see the 8 pin and 5 pin module connector, where have I missed or am I close? Are they under where the relays are? Thank you Wayne Robinson

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Sunday, January 18th, 2009 AT 2:16 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Sorry my bad the GEM controls it and it is in the center of the dash but we do not need to dig for that yet. First check fuse number 5 should be a 30 amp make sure it isn't blown. I am including a pic of the connector on the GEM module if the fuse is good then we will need to find the module and do some tests with a multi meter to see if it is telling the front to lock in. So this will be used for the next few test ok.

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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 10:43 AM

WCR-63

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi! Ok, I got the relays finally back in place, I checked the #5 fuse, it was good, and I checked every other fuse to do with 4x4, every one looked good, should I mention that the truck had the emergency shoes and cables replaced for safety test? [Wheel sensors?] And that they never adj. The e-brakes very well as they won't hold the truck from rolling, also I removed the radio as it wasn't working properly so I have the opening ready to check the gem module, could it be something as simple as changing t/c fluid? Thanks eh wayne

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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 1:32 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

I need to know if you have automatic hubs or has manual hubs been put on? The other thing if you put it in 4x4 have you then jack up the front to see if the front wheels really do free wheel? Get back to me and we will go from there.