Hey Everyone!

Its been a while since i've been on the boards, haven't had a lot of time. Bought a house and been busy with that, trucks been put on the back burner till now.

Heres my question... my 98 Ranger's 4 wheel drive isn't working... I've had a similiar problem with it last year, now its just getting annoying.

To start, my 4 wheel drive lights will flash 6 times even when my trucks in 2 wheel drive, switch hasn't been touched, and im driving. When i do flip the switch, it will click like its trying to engage than nothing... the lights will flash either 4 times or the 6 again. If i try switching it back and forth again after that it won't do anything.

I found that last year in order for my 4 wheel drive to work, i'd have to get out, disconnect my battery, give it a few minutes, reconnect, and flip the switch. Most of the time, not all the 4 wheel drive would engage, sometimes i'd have to do that battery trick more than once.

I did the live axle mod to get rid of the pesky vacuum hubs, and i know the system actually works as it should, just getting it to work is the problem.

At first i thought well maybe it could be the electronic shift motor, but the more i've thought about it, how would disconnecting the battery than switching it change that. Is it possible that the 4 wheel drive computer is bad or going bad... and when i reset it by disconnecting the battery it will work. Any help would be awesome guys, im scratching... and have been scratching my head about this one.

- Brad

 

could very well possibly be the 4x4 CM...super easy to get to...behind the pass side kick panel(at least on my 03 anyway)...id say put a new shift motor in it and see what happens

 

It could still be the shift motor. Electric motors do weird things when they are going out. Try and test it if you can. That is what I would bet my money on. See if it is getting proper voltage first and if not then go backwards from there. Thats my advise.

 

Thanks guys... i found i can get a used shift motor from a salvage yard near by me for 40 bucks... which i thought was super cheap, and an easy first step.

I need that 4 wheel drive with this lake effect snow we get here in NE ohio... not so easy pushing through over a foot of snow in 2 wheel drive lol

- Brad

 

You can clean the motor for free.

http://therangerstation.com/tech_lib...shiftmotor.htm

If you have the brown wire on your truck just pop it out of the connector instead of cutting it.

 

hey guys did you ever get your 4 wheel drive working this is exactly the same problem i am having thank you for any help