2002 Ford Ranger 4 wheel will not engage

2002 Ford Ranger, 77600 miles, auto, V6. The 4 wheel will not engage after turning the knob on the dashboard. Check all applicable fuses - all good. Followed manual for engagement - will not engage. No idiot lights come on at all on the dash board when supposedly switched on. I removed the battery positive cable to 'reset' any possible anomolies. Is there anyway to check the actuator motor to see if that might be it? Any other place or sensors to look at?


The last time the 4 wheel was engaged was quite a few months back when my father was the owner. He also had difficulty getting out of 4wd (which I hear is an issue on this model).