4 wheel drive does not work

If you hear the electric actuator engage when you push the 4wd button, then yes they may have missed something. The front axle needs to lock in for the 4wd to work. It is actuated by vacuum. They may have forgotten to reconnect it.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

Car set for eight months, now four wheel drive will not work. H and L lights sometimes illuminate for a second but it does not engage.

Electrical problem
2003 Ford Explorer V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

Ok so i got this Explorer XLT its a V8 and its 4 wheel drive.
The 4x4 High and the 4x4 Low wont engage. The lights flash simotaniusly roughly about every 10 - 15 min. Im not sure what is causing this problem but if you have any info about it plz comment.

It sounds like a problem with the 4wd actuator located on the transfer case. Check to see if it is getting power when you shift. If it is, remove it and have it checked. Chances are it is bad.

Let me know what you find.

4x4 will not engage dashboard lights work on switch but no response. I put new auto high and low switch in the dash, I also installed a new transfer case control module, but still no response. when driving it feels like it's in four-wheel drive all the time don't know if it's in low or high the little dashboard light indicating high or low when switched no response does not show up on dashboard.

My vehicle listed above is the Eddie Bauer edition 4.6 engine V8.

Hi,

When you say control module, are you referring to the transfer case shift motor? See pic 1.

Also, I need to know if this vehicle has the automatic 4wd or if it is an AWD vehicle.

Let me know.

Joe

Can you confirm for me that you have the automatic 4 wheel drive system that is attached? The picture of the buttons is the second image. The Eddie Bauer should have this unit but I just want to make sure before we proceed because I suspect you have an issue with the encoder assembly, but we need to make sure we are dealing with how your vehicle is equipped.

Thanks

Yes, it has automatic four-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high, four-wheel drive low and the buttons are as in photo, they light up but when pushing the buttons the dashboard indicator light that says hi 4x4 or low 4x4 does not appear when pushing the button, I changed out the transfer case control module brand new but still nothing. the way it feels as I drive it's in four-wheel drive. unknown if it's low or high but winter is coming on and we will be snowing soon. I need to try to figure this out. I appreciate any information you can help me with.

We need to go to the transfer case motor as shown in the wiring diagrams and press the 4 high switch and see if there is voltage to the motor. Then press Low. Then Auto. Is there voltage on the motor when pressing any of these buttons? If so, you need a motor as it is most likely failed if you cannot hear it moving.

Basically this motor just has power put to one side or the other depending on what button is pressed. The module you replaced is the power and ground for it as it just reverses the polarity when moving one way or the other.

Let us know this and we can go from there.

why wont my 4x4 engage on my ford explorer xlt i just had a new front drive shaft put on

Can you hear the transfer case engage when you push the button? If so, check the front axle for vacuum leaks. They may have bumped something when they worked on the drive shaft.

I have a 2002 ford explorer sport trac and the 4 wheel drive is not working. When I start the car the lights on the dashboard for the 4WD do not light up. From what I have found this is probably the control module. How hard is it to replace this module and where is the module located.

I have a 2002 Sport Trac and my 4x4 won't engage after several hrs of diag I found my control module was trying to engage(heard a clicking sound in rf kick panel). I then felt the actuator motor(located on transfer case) wasn't responding. I replaced it and it now works properly. I took my old motor and open it and it was locked up. I cleaned the armature with emery cloth and use dielectric grease on ends of the shaft gingerly and put it back together and it works. I feel the motor gets locked up and needs cleaned or replaced. motor part # FMC1L5Z7G360B. Good luck to u all. If u want email me @ atc17@jenningstire.com Ben

I cannot get the 4wd on my explorer to engage. I press the buttons and nothing happens. No lights come on, nothing. I know that the lights on the dash are working because when the car is in acc, the 4x4 low light pops on for a few seconds. I've read the owners manual, and had a friend check the corresponding fuses, and found nothing wrong. I'm in the middle of a blizzard and I could really use my 4wd. Any suggestions?

Where you need to start is at the transfercase. Threre is an electric actuator that shifts for transfer case from 2 to 4wd when you push the button. You need to see if that is getting power. Check that and let me know what you find.

Joe

Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

4 wheel drive will not engage, power to right rear wheel only

Chances are the actuator is bad. What you need to do is check to see if the actuator (on the transfer case) is getting power. If it is, replace the actuator.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
2002 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

2002 ford explorer.4 wheel drive engaging intermittenly.now 4x4 lights not coming on at all or engaging when you hit the switch

Check the electrical plug to the actuator on the transfer case. Make sure none of the pins are damaged, corroded, and the wiring is in good condition.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

My explorer 4x4 will only engage on occasion. Sometimes if I push the 4x4 button, turn it off in neutral then start again, it will go in. Also, the 4x4 light will go on/off intermittently. I read something about the 4x4 module being in the left rear. There is a clicking noise coming from that area. Can you help me diagnose this?

It sounds like the 4wd actuator that is attached to the transfer case that is bad. Check to make sure it is getting power. If it is, chances are it is bad.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

I have owned the SUV since new and have rarely engaged four wheel drive, high or low. During a recent snow I pushed the button to engage four wheel drive high and got nothing. Fuses are OK. I was told there is a four wheel drive module. How can it be tested to see if it needs replacement? I know it is located behind the glove box so it is easy to reach and replace. I just do not want to buy a module only to find it was something else.

I have an 02 Expl V8 with the exact same problem. It has been that way for a year now. I finally got into some snow on a mountain road where I needed it and... nothing.

Disconnecting one of the battery cables for a moment will reset the module. After that it will work for anywhere from a couple of hours, to all day. Then it's back to nothing.

I paid $100 to get it diagnosed at the local Ford Dealership. It is a bad module (behind the glovebox). Quoted $600 to fix.

I'm still keeping an eye out for a used one from a junk yard (haven't looked real hard).

4x4 not engaging. lights on dash not lighting up. 3 push buttons on dash to engage 4x4. all fuses are good

Chances are there is a problem with the actuator on the transfer case. I need you to check to see if there is power to it when someone tries to engage the 4wd. If there is power, remove the actuator and have it checked. It is somewhat common on these vehicles for them to go bad.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

I am having problems with my 4 wheel drive on my 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer. The indicator lights on the dash do not turn on. When I start the car the only 4 wheel drive light that turns on is the 4x4 low. I have tried using the push button 4 wheel drive and it is not engaging at all. I'm not sure where to begin here. Could you possibly tell me what might be wrong?

Again, when I attempt to use 4 wheel drive, it is not working at all. No idicator lights, noise and response what-so-ever. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

you may need friends help on this. one needs to be in the truck and one under driver side of truck at the back of the transfercase. there is a little motor which inguages the transfercase.you won't need to start truck turn key to run while friend turns the selector switch to all spots and lightly tap on the little motor NOT Hard. Ford says you should activate it at least twice a month weather you use it or not just to keep it freed up. let me know if this works and we go from there. 8) NOS

this problem was gradual over several months. at first when starting the car the four wheel drive light would flash indicating to "service the four wheel drive" without noticable problems. then, after starting, the indicator light would flash and when putting it into reverse and turning as if out of a parking space, it would feel as if the four wheel was engaged and would abruptly "clunck" out as if disengaged. this happened intermittantly for a couple of months. I tried letting the vehicle warm up for say 15 minutes in the morning and the light indicator would not flash anymore, i would not feel that clunck, and the four wheel drive would engage no problem and no indicator light. almost like there was some connection with temperature, cold it would happen them warm it wouldnt. after a couple more months the light stopped lighting and no four wheel drive working at this time. also no feeling of engaging or disengaging. good luck with this one and thanks in advance!

On the transfer case find the actuator motor, have someone press the buttons while you tap it with a hammer. If it works, the brushes, or contacts inside it are possibly corroded a bit, may work to free them up, if not check for power at this motor, if power is present, replace motor. GEARMOTOR ENCODER ASSEMBLY Removal and Installation 1. Press the 4X4 HIGH button on the mode select switch (MSS). Fig. 53: Locating 4X4 High Button On The Mode Select Switch Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 2. Raise and support the vehicle. 3. Disconnect the gearmotor encoder assembly harness connector. Fig. 54: Disconnecting Gearmotor Encoder Assembly Harness Connector Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 4. Remove the bracket bolt and gearmotor encoder assembly mounting bolts and remove the gearmotor encoder assembly. Fig. 55: Removing Bracket Bolt And Gearmotor Encoder Assembly Mounting Bolts Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 5. Remove the grease from the motor adapter and check for any nicks or burrs. If any damage is found, repair or install a new gearmotor encoder assembly as necessary. For additional information, refer to TRANSFER CASE - AUTOMATIC SHIFT . 6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.  Apply a coat of Multi-Purpose Grease to the gearmotor encoder assembly.

checked all fuses,relays and diodes. Checked for power to push buttons,have ohms out have power to wheel speed sensors,and transfercase moter. My diognostic program says no communication with electronic 4x4 module. I have power to it but no way to check information out. I hate to buy one on a guess. Its $314.00 dealer item only. Help

Remove the actuator, plug it in, and see if it is functioning. Pay attention to the power supply. Does it drop when the motor is engaged. If so, check the swith and relay again. They could work fine when not under a load.

I have a 2002 4x4 Ford Explorer. The 4x4 does not work. None of the LED's (Auto, High, or Low) on the switch light up. With a volt meter, I checked to see if voltage was coming to the switch. It does & as the dimmer for the main lights are dimmed, the voltage is reduced accordingly. I accessed the switch was bad & replaced it. This was not the problem. No fuses are blown. A mechanic connected it to his scanner & got a code 735. This relates to 5th grear not being correct ratio. It has no 5th gear, but has an automatic transmission. He checked the grease in the crank case but levels were fine. It has only been
used once or twice but the last known time it worked, all was well. Just one day when I tried to engage it, all seems totally dead. Please advise what to look for next.

Terry

[quote:ec71d52294="marcum03"]I have a 2002 4x4 Ford Explorer. The 4x4 does not work. None of the LED's (Auto, High, or Low) on the switch light up. With a volt meter, I checked to see if voltage was coming to the switch. It does & as the dimmer for the main lights are dimmed, the voltage is reduced accordingly. I accessed the switch was bad & replaced it. This was not the problem. No fuses are blown. A mechanic connected it to his scanner & got a code 735. This relates to 5th grear not being correct ratio. It has no 5th gear, but has an automatic transmission. He checked the grease in the crank case but levels were fine. It has only been
used once or twice but the last known time it worked, all was well. Just one day when I tried to engage it, all seems totally dead. Please advise what to look for next.

Terry[/quote:ec71d52294]

I would check for power at the 4WD control module. You must select the 4WD on to check for power. The pins should be pin 8 and pin 17. These are the BK/WH and WH wires. This should be your power and ground pins. If do not have power, then find where you are loosing the ground or power.
If you have power to the conrol module, then there are a series of test that will need to be run to isolate the problem.

When my mechanic connected his scanner to the SUV, it detected each position the switch was in (Manual, High, Low), only no lights come on or no reaction from the crank case.
Do you think the shift motor or sensor could be the problem?