1999 Explorer Four wheel drive problems

With an old fashioned transfer case sometimes you would have to put it in reverse and give it some gas to get it out of 4 wheel drive. Give it a try it cannot hurt anything.

Changing transfer cases would be rather expensive.

Me too. Computerized everything anymore.

My book lists 4 different transfer cases.
Borg Warner 13-54 mechanical shift.
Borg Warner 13-54 electronic shift.
Borg Warner 44-05 control trac
All wheel drive transfer case.

The control trac unit and the electric shift unit operate in the same manner. The system consist of a push button control, an electronic control module, an electric shift motor with an integral shift position sensor and a speed sensor.
The electric shift motor, mounted externally at the rear of the transfer case, drive a rotary helical cam. The cam moves the 2 WD-4 WD shift fork and the 4 HI-4 LOW reduction shift fork to the selected vehicle drive position.
The 44-05 houses a transfer case clutch. The clutch which is controlled by a Generic Control Module (GEM), allows the vehicle to be driven on dry pavement in 4 wheel drive.

I would think that somehow the system would need to detect wheel spin. Maybe it is linked to the anti-lock brake system and it's wheel sensors. Hope this helps.

Good luck with it and let us know how you make out.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. :)

If you have the all wheel drive transfer case and get on the gas a lot ( I think it is more than 3/4 pedal) the traction control kicks itself in. If you gas it a lot this might be what is holding it in gear in any case check out the motor on the transfer case as they are prone to going bad. When you put it in reverse and gave it some gas this might have told it to stay engaged also. The truck I used to use is to switch into 4 wd/low then back out to verify it was working correctly. If that works then slowly roll forward in neutral and shift back into the normal setting it should come out for you.

Thanks, I will try that. If it works I am wondering should I replace the shift motor? I have asked around and anyone else who has the auto setting instead of the 2 wd setting says it works great and they do not have any problems. By the way, this site is great! I am a bit of a gear-head myself and I am hoping I will be able to give someone else some advice. Thanks for all the great feedback.

Hey MADDISON,

yep the transfer case actuator sounds like it is weak and needs replacement, also some of those trucks have a vacuum operated control which goes to the front differential so check the hoses going down to the actuator there as well.

Let me know how it goes,

Ken

You could, or you could fix it. The problem is probably a relay between the button and the vacuum line which engages the 4wd. There is probably a vacuum line going to the transfer case that actually engages the 4wd when the button is pressed. If you disconnected that it should stay in 2wd. But I would suggest fixing it before disabling it.

No, should be just fine. After you disconnect the control module, the transfer case, you can shed a bunch or weight by removing the front driveshaft. Keep all your parts though in case you want to sell it. It's worth more the way it came.