Hello all, I have a 2011 ranger 4x4 with 4.0 and automatic. Recently I stated having trouble with the 4x4 not wanting to engage and I would have to play with the switch to get it to work, the other day I tried it and the 4x4 light came on but the 4x4 did not engage and the light will not go off no matter what position it’s in. I would really appreciate any info on this issue Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

The 2001-2011 Ranger electric 4x4 system was very simple, 3 parts
Dash switch, rarely breaks
4x4CM, control module, was a know failure point
Electric shift motor, can wear out and fail

The dash on 2004 and up Rangers is electronic, an HEC instrument panel, so the 4WD lights are not analog control like the older systems, but the 4x4CM still sends a digital code to the HEC to turn on or off a 4WD light

Since you do have a 4WD light on I would think the 4x4CM is working, and its the shift motor that is not responding

First thing to check is Fuse 27 in the ENGINE Fuse Box, this is shift motor power, pull it out, and check for corrosion
Next are the 3 fuse is CAB fuse box, 10, 28 and 33, again pull them out, and check them, 2004 and up cab fuse boxes are known for corroded wires and fuses

After that I would pull the shift motor off the transfer case reconnect it to its harness and try shifting again
All the sensors are in this shift motor unit, no sensors inside transfer case, so shift motor indicates what position transfer case is in

There are pictures here of how that works: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-motor.123542/

You can test if motor is working by applying 12v and ground to the 2 motor wires, yellow and orange wires
12v/Gnd motor will turn one way, Gnd/12v and motor turns the other way same as a power window motor
If motor is working then chances are the 4x4CM is broken
But after moving the motor using 12v/Gnd, plug it back in and retest to see if it may have been "stuck"



Just as a heads up, the shift motors often fail because of disuse, the brushes inside lose contact with armature
Best practice to prevent this is to shift 4x4 system from 2WD to 4H and then 4L and then back to 2WD once a month, don't have to drive it in 4WD, just shift it sitting in the drive way, this keeps the brushes/armature clean and the lube on the worm gear and driven gear spread out

 

Thanks for the info, I’ll try those suggestions and let you know.

 

I checked all the fuses you suggested, all where good and no corrosion. Removed the transfer case motor and tested, it works good in both directions. Where is the 4x4 control module located? I will try to test it if possible.

 

In 2004 to 2011 its behind the Radio, so have to pull bezel and radio out to get to it

Short Video here:


4x4cm will be on the left, looks like this: https://www.celebritycarsblog.com/st...3799147197.jpg

Yours will have a newer part number, will start with 6L5 or 7L5, for 2006 or 2007
Ford part numbers are not for the year of the vehicle, part number year is for when it was last changed, and since Ford has issues with the 2001-2005 models they changed them in 2006 or 2007 so not backwards compatible with earlier versions

While you have access you can test the 4WD switch at the same time with OHM meter
4WD switch is just 3 resistors one for each selection
Should be 4 wires on the switch, blue/white and black/yellow are for the back light, lights up switch when dash lights are on

White/brown and white/blue are the resistor wires, put ohm meter on those and turn the switch, should get:
3.86v and 3,870 ohms for 2wd,
2.94v and 1,090 ohms for 4wd high and
1.76v and 357 ohms for 4wd low

Ignore the volts unless you want to test it power on

 

Finally got around to taking the dash apart, after checking and cleaning all connections I took the selector switch apart and cleaned the contact points inside. Reassembled the switch, now 4wd works again. I’m going to buy a new switch to be safe. Thanks again for all the help.

 

Good stuff

Thanks for the follow up post