My 01 ranger got stuck in 4x4 low I determind it was trnsfer case actuator I removed it, shifted it into 2wd manually( while in netural) but the 4wd Low light is still on I replaced the switch on the dash to no avail the trans shifts hard and wont go into overdrive and speedomiter will read 15 mph when at 55mph does any of you ranger guru's have any advice?

 

The 4WD lights are controlled by the Shift motor's position contacts, 5 wires
There are no "sensors" inside the transfer case
The switch on the dash is just a control and has nothing to do with the dash lights

Plug the shift motor back in, does not need to be bolted to transfer case, it has its own ground
Turn key on and shift motor should move to what ever setting is on the dash switch, I assume 2WD
If shift motor doesn't move tap the motor part with hammer or ??, may get the brushes unstuck, common issue

The 4x4CM(control module) behind the passenger side kick panel(in 2001-2003) reads the position contacts inside the shift motor to tell what position transfer case is in, it thinks its in 4Low
So 4low light is on

Good read here on what inside the shift motors: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...e-shift-motor/

You can see the contact wheel that turns when shift motor turns the transfer case shift rod, and the 6 contacts that touch the contact wheel as it turns, only 5 are used