1998 Ford Explorer 4x4 Won't Disengage

FORD EXPLORER
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A-ROZ
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  • 3 POSTS
Is there any way possible to manually disengage a automatic 4x4?

It seem`s that I have electrical demons in my dashboard!
Now my 4x4 wont totally disengage, does any one know of anything at all that I can check out or try to do before it is going to cost me $hundreds$ that I dont have?
PLEASE! I am a single mom that lives on top of a mountain in the high country and the snow is here!
It is my only ride... "1998 ford explorer."
I am scard of what might happen if I or when I take it down this very steep moutain?
I am mechanically friendly, but i dont know anything about 4x4 systems?
Theres gotta be someone out there that knows something I can do?
Mar 21, 2006 at 5:49 PM
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JPAM
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 307 POSTS
i'll put this question into ford forum for u so you can get some help..
good luck.. jess s.
Mar 21, 2006 at 6:09 PM
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A-ROZ
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Thanks JESS! :D
I need all the help I can get right now!
By the way my name is Annette "HELLOW"
Thanks again!
Mar 21, 2006 at 6:55 PM
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320HPPONY?
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Dont know if it'll help but, try pulling the fuse for the 4 wheel drive system and then follow the 4x4 disengauging procedures.It might not help but pulling fuses do all kinds of things!
May 17, 2006 at 2:37 PM
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DAKOTABS
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  • 8 POSTS
Remove your front drive shaft(tough but effictive).
Aug 14, 2006 at 12:30 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
Won't totally disenge...meaning it is engaged? Totally?

Better than disengaged?

I have the same set up on my ranger. I have found tha the vacuum lines at the wheel get corroded and have been removeable, cleaned and re-installed, restoring the vacuum thus the 4-wheel drive.
Aug 14, 2006 at 1:31 PM
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XPLOR94
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i think i read in my manual that if you go in reverse for a couple of feet it may go off also its just a switch you should be able to kill power to it check owners guide
Aug 15, 2006 at 5:04 PM
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NOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 320 POSTS
good old ford exploder. Ford says that you should enguage and disinguage these type systems at least every few weeks needed or not. it is electrical there is a motor mounted on the back of the transfer and it gets stuck turn the key on do not start motor block wheels so it don't roll. put the truck in neutral go under the truck and all so lightly tap the little motor and listen to see if it disinguages. if that don't work only other thing i can tell you to do is take a 10 mm wrench pull the motor off the back of the transfer case and you will see a little triangale looking thing and some arrows it will say in or out or lock or unlock with a cresent wrench rotate it very slowly to the unlock possison note if it doesn't go don't force it should turn fairly easy. if the lever doesn't want to move the fork inside the transfer case is broke into. does your trans shift funny ?like locked in low .these type truck are either locked in or there locked out no in between Please be careful. what lights are on on the dash? on the 4x4 part? hope this helps i keep an eye on this one .(NOS) or marvin :wink: O and i forgot to mension that there is a what ford calls a GEM module that also controls the 4x4 stuff on that thing and it is a gem alright and i hope that it isn't the problem cause it is a ford part of about 232.00 worth and it is located behind the radio. :cry:
Aug 20, 2006 at 8:24 AM
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Suggested Repair

With the key on, engine off, wheels blocked, and the transmission in neutral, lightly tap the electric shift motor on the back of the transfer case and listen for it to unlock. If it stays engaged, remove the motor with a 10 mm wrench and slowly turn the triangular cam to unlock; do not force it. Also clean corroded vacuum lines at the front wheels, try the 4WD fuse or a short reverse, and check the GEM module behind the radio if the motor will not move. Removing the front driveshaft is a last resort.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Ford Explorer owner said the automatic 4x4 would not fully disengage and asked how to release it manually before driving down a steep, snowy mountain. Replies suggested pulling the 4WD fuse, reversing a few feet, cleaning corroded wheel vacuum lines, or removing the front driveshaft. The most detailed advice was to tap the transfer-case shift motor, then manually rotate its cam to unlock if needed, and to suspect a broken internal fork or the GEM module if it will not move.

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