4x4 not engaging, and no "4x4" light
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 1
From: New Kensington, PA
Found the problem.
I went to a garage today that my dad recommended me to, the guy said to try disconnecting the battery to reset the ecu and junk. So I disconnected the battery for a while and tried the 4x4 again and nothing happened. Rudy (rudeman85) came over so I decided to try his 4x4CM in mine again and it worked! So my 4x4 control module is bad.
Other than that, my xfer case is bad too. I hot wired the xfer motor to engage it into 4Low, and it just grinds inside and sounds really bad.
My dad may have connections to get a xfer case and he's gonna check out about the control module also.
Where is a good place to get a 4x4CM? I'm gonna call around to some salvage yards tomorrow.
I went to a garage today that my dad recommended me to, the guy said to try disconnecting the battery to reset the ecu and junk. So I disconnected the battery for a while and tried the 4x4 again and nothing happened. Rudy (rudeman85) came over so I decided to try his 4x4CM in mine again and it worked! So my 4x4 control module is bad.
Other than that, my xfer case is bad too. I hot wired the xfer motor to engage it into 4Low, and it just grinds inside and sounds really bad.
My dad may have connections to get a xfer case and he's gonna check out about the control module also.
Where is a good place to get a 4x4CM? I'm gonna call around to some salvage yards tomorrow.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: templeton ca
Yes, but it's more likely something else. There are two relays that are used when you shift.
One relay engages a solenoid the pulls in a clutch to get the front axle moving before the "hard" engagement happens from the motor. The other relay kicks in the motor to move the system. Once you are in 4 HI by the motor, the solenoid releases. The solenoid is activated by the brown wire that goes directly into the transfer case. On AWD transfer cases, the brown wire controls the modulating clutch in the transfer case for torque control.
Hard to say if that's just one relay or both. You might still have a good motor. If you read that write up they tell you what wires go to the motor and you can try driving the motor directly with 12 volts to see what happens. Disconnect the wiring harness to the truck first though.
A blown fuse for the motor power circuit, or similar problem would also cause those symptoms. The controllers have separate power feeds for the logic board and the power to activate the motor/solenoids.
Attached are the schematics of your control system if that helps.
One relay engages a solenoid the pulls in a clutch to get the front axle moving before the "hard" engagement happens from the motor. The other relay kicks in the motor to move the system. Once you are in 4 HI by the motor, the solenoid releases. The solenoid is activated by the brown wire that goes directly into the transfer case. On AWD transfer cases, the brown wire controls the modulating clutch in the transfer case for torque control.
Hard to say if that's just one relay or both. You might still have a good motor. If you read that write up they tell you what wires go to the motor and you can try driving the motor directly with 12 volts to see what happens. Disconnect the wiring harness to the truck first though.
A blown fuse for the motor power circuit, or similar problem would also cause those symptoms. The controllers have separate power feeds for the logic board and the power to activate the motor/solenoids.
Attached are the schematics of your control system if that helps.
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Washington
So what's your best guess?
I'm kind of lost, so please clarify. My Ranger will not go into 4WD. When I switch the dash switch to 4H or 4L, no lights come on, but when I start the truck, the 4WD lights on the dash do come on for a second. What would be your best guess on the most likely causes for these symptoms, and what would you suggest I try first, second, etc? Thank you very much!
Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood
Awesome. I read the article, very helpful. Walked through a few steps last night and found both the Explorer and my buddy's Sport Trac's shift motors are stuck. So, soon as my Ranger is back on the road, I'm gunna let my buddy borrow it for a day and I'll work on getting that motor fixed. The Exploder I'll do on my own time as well. I'll save those schematics, real helpful!
Thanks for any advise
Welcome to the forum
You should start your own thread
Go here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...discussion-15/
On the left just above where the Posts start you will see "+" sign and" New Thread" click on that
Remember to include YEAR of your Ranger also engine size and manual trans or automatic
Ford used a few different 4WD systems between 1983 and 2011 in Rangers, so can't help you unless we know at least the YEAR of the 4wd system
Just FYI, its NEVER the switch, thats just 3 resistors in a box
You should start your own thread
Go here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...discussion-15/
On the left just above where the Posts start you will see "+" sign and" New Thread" click on that
Remember to include YEAR of your Ranger also engine size and manual trans or automatic
Ford used a few different 4WD systems between 1983 and 2011 in Rangers, so can't help you unless we know at least the YEAR of the 4wd system
Just FYI, its NEVER the switch, thats just 3 resistors in a box
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
From: Pemberton
Just a quick reply to an old post. My 4x4 was intermittent then stopped. Before I even crawled under the truck to look at it I just reset the tranny with forscan and cleared all the codes and it started working again. Something that should be done before anything else. I would think disconnecting the battery does the same.
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kitwanga, BC
4x4 light off
I'm kind of lost, so please clarify. My Ranger will not go into 4WD. When I switch the dash switch to 4H or 4L, no lights come on, but when I start the truck, the 4WD lights on the dash do come on for a second. What would be your best guess on the most likely causes for these symptoms, and what would you suggest I try first, second, etc? Thank you very much!
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
From: Pemberton
Could be your GEM, if your wipers don't work either then it is definitely the GEM. What year of truck? If GEM you need the exact part #. I ended up with 2 on the shelf that were just slightly different # if you need one. Mine is still intermittent when it is cold out, haven't found a replacement yet.
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kitwanga, BC
Replaced the transfer case motor, then the light just flashes for a second.
For now I can only change 2H 4H and 4Low ONLY when the key is in the ON position(engine not running)
Yes I can hear it change and the light changes.
When running no 4x4 lights
For now I can only change 2H 4H and 4Low ONLY when the key is in the ON position(engine not running)
Yes I can hear it change and the light changes.
When running no 4x4 lights
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kitwanga, BC
Could be your GEM, if your wipers don't work either then it is definitely the GEM. What year of truck? If GEM you need the exact part #. I ended up with 2 on the shelf that were just slightly different # if you need one. Mine is still intermittent when it is cold out, haven't found a replacement yet.
Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Wenonah
4 wheel drive not working
I have a 2001 ranger 4 wheel drive not working, fuses ok,new switch on dash, put a new transfer case on still not engaging and no indicator lights, could the old transfer case being bad fried the PCM?
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