Hello all..

I posted in another section but its probably not the correct one... I have a '98 3.0L Ranger with a 4WD issue. It never really functioned well in 4WD-high, but the 4WD-low always worked well. One day however, I accidentally hit the switch to 4WD-high and the unit locked in and I was not able to get it out of 4WD. A friend helped me get the 4WD motor unit off, and using a wrench and lot of muscle, we did get it back to 2WD, where it remains today. The drive unit which we removed was badly rusted and corroded, so I thought this must be the problem and bought a new motor drive unit.

When I plugged in the new unit, I tested to see the motor function, and thought I could then just slip in on, bolt it up, and away we go ! Not the case ! The motor never moved a bit when dialing the "selector switch" and the motor output position is such that it cannot be fit onto the 4WD input shaft. I also replaced the dashboard selector switch just in case that may have been bad.

My question to all the experts here is: What do I have to do to get the 4WD motor unit into the right position, and if it doesnt move how do I energize it ?? Also, could it be the 4WD controller module that has gone bad ( wherever that may be ) Are there Relays involved that I cant seem to find ?? I'm now desperate and just need to know where to begin and what to do !!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated !!

Thanks in in advance for your help.......// Ernie in NH

 

on a 1990 Ranger that I had and sold, the new owner put it in 4wd low and couldnt get it out. Turns out the scumbag who saftied it was digging around in the little back seat area looking for floor score change and must have pulled on a wire.... he pulled the wire from the relay that brings it back to 2wd.

You may have a bad relay causing this issue. Must be one relay for 2wd and one for 2wd. Check your relays.

 

Hi Joe...

Hey thanks for the note and the info... so the 4WD module is in the cab behind the seats eh. Do you know if the relays are replaceable or is the module sealed ??

Thanks again........// Ernie in NH

 

The shift motor needs to be in the right position in order to shift properly.

 

Hi Alex...

Thanks for your input to my problem, but now I must ask: Just how do you move it ?? It is "out of position" for the 2WD position, and it will not rotate at all when the dash selector switch is moved to either 4wd-lo or 4wd-high... IF I could get the motor into position to mount at the 2WD position, I THINK I might have a chance. Just how do you get it to rotate ?? ( either CW or CCW would be great ) Maybe a battery to the motor leads, if I knew which wire to (+) and which to ground ??

Thanks again......// /Ernie in NH

 

I'm not sure which wire. But since you didn't mark where the old motor was lined up.
I believe you can do it this way.
Hook the motor up but don't install. turn the switch to 4x4 High and see which way the motor turns. (it should be Clockwise) and to turn to 4x4 low, should be even farther clockwise. Then once it turns back to 2wd. you should be able to line it up right with the Transfercase.