4x4 not working.
 

Hello all, hoping for some help. I'm sure I can't be the only one with this problem. The truck is a 2008 3.0 V6 4x4 manual transmission Ford ranger. The problem that I am having with it is when I switch the 4x4 selector on the dash I get no lights at the switch and nothing from the dash. The bulbs do a self check when the ignition is turned on, I checked all 4x4 fuses they seemed okay but I will replace with new to see if that does anything. I also replaced the transfer case shift motor with no success, the next thing I was considering buying was the 4x4CM, as I was told they were prone to problems. But before I go throwing anymore money at it I was wondering if anyone had any information on what to check next. Oh and the 4x4 does work if I manually engage it with a pair of pliars.. it would just be nice to have the switch back to working order.

Save your old shift motor it was probably OK

The 4x4CM was the problem, the way to tell if its the shift motor or CM is the lights
No lights its the 4x4CM OR its fuse
Flashing 4WD light means shift motor, or its fuse, is bad

The 4x4CM controls the lights and sends power to shift motor, if CM sends power and motor's 5 contacts don't change(no movement) then CM will flash the 4WD lights to notify driver of the problem.
No lights means CM isn't doing anything

There were 2 versions of 4x4CM, 2001-2005/6, 2007-2011
There are not interchangeable, so you need the 2007-2011 version in a 2008

Yes, the 2001-2011 4x4CMs were known to fail, not as common in the 2007 and up module

Well I put a brand new 4x4cm in and I still have no 4x4.. I get 4x4 lights on the dash but the 4x4 selector switch doesn't light up. I've ordered a new switch it should be here sometime this week, I've checked all the fuses again and they're all okay. If I put a new switch in and it still doesn't work then i don't know what to do about it, I've changed every electrical component in the 4x4. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do next I'd greatly appreciate it.

Not likely to be the switch, there are only 3 resistors inside

The 4WD lights should flash when you try to change to or from 4WD if the shift motor doesn't move
If that's not happening then either the 4x4 module or switch is not working

If lights flash then its almost for sure the shift motor

Pretty simple system in 2001 and up Rangers

Lets us know if switch fixes it

And just a heads up
"NEW" does not mean "it works"
New now means YOU TEST IT, if it doesn't work send it back for "free" replacement, its not really free, lol, you are just the unpaid Quality Control for the companies that make the parts

The only lights on the 4x4 selector switch that light up, circled in red, are the ones that come on when you turn on your parking/headlights.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...573a1b6d80.jpg




The lights on the dash are the only lights you should be getting by turning the switch.

2008 no shift 4x4
 

i'm having the kind of the same problem with my 2008 ranger. turn the4x4 switch and i get a relay clicking behind the switch but nothing happens as far as the 4x4 going into gear. my lights in the dash do light up when the key is turned on. i alos changed my acuator motor thinking it was locked up,but thta didn't help.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...600c26c3f2.jpg
Here's a pic of the dash not lighting up.

Thank you everyone for the replies, I will keep you updated once I get the switch in. And the pic of the 4x4 switch when I turn my lights on it just stays black. If I put a switch In and it still does nothing I'll be getting another module lol. And @2011supercab I only get dash lights when I first turn the key. After the engine is started there's absolutely nothing, even when I change the switch from 2h-4h-4l.

Does turning the selector switch light up the 4x4 and 4x4low lights on the dash?

Unfortunately no ☹️

Nothing at all

no they do not-just hear a clicking noise behind the switch

roushboy You should either start your own thread or just follow along.

You answering questions being asked to 08fordranger is just going to confuse everybody.

Would anyone happen to have a wiring schematic for the dash switch. Or is it possible to hotwire the transfer case motor and run it on a toggle switch?

Yes you can wire up anything you want, but fixing the Ford system is way way easier

Diagram for 2010 below, its the same as 2008, 2006-2011 really

Switch is only 2 wires, as said 3 resistors are used to select the 3 positions
The 4x4 module sends the switch 5 volts when it is powered on
If 4x4 module gets back 4volts 2wd is selected
3 volts is 4High
2 volts 4low

Pretty simple

The problem with a manual switch, a toggle, is when to stop moving the shifter so its in the correct place
The Ford system has 4 contacts and 5v power wire, as the motor turns the shift rod the contact wheel moves and the 4 contacts send the 5volts back to controller so it knows when shift rod is in correct position for 2wd, 4h and 4l

Pictures here of the parts: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-motor.123542/

The shift motor has 2 wires and works the same as a power window motor, 12v/grd is spin left, grd/12v is spin right


Just a heads up about electric 4WD
Shift in to 4low once a month, then back to 2WD
You don't need to drive vehicle, just sit in the driveway and shift it

This keeps the electric motor's brushes clean and loose in their holder
Also moves the lube around for the worm gear and driven gear

Disuse the the main reason for shift motor failure, it sits for 8 to 10 months then when you actually need it it doesn't work

Thank you for the reply, I will be sending the control module back and I will be getting another one soon. I will try it with the new switch before I do send it back. I'm just hoping I won't have to send it back 5 times before I get a good one. And is it normal to have the 4x4 lights on the dash come up as soon as the key is turned to the on position? Not running, just on.

Yes, at least they do in mine. I just went out and checked.

Okay, thank you for checking. I'm just confused as to what to do next, nothing seems to be doing anything when I turn the selector switch for 4x4. No light flashing or anything :s

I know you checked the fuses, but did you get all 3 ?

Inside #10 - 10 amp and #28 - 15 amp

Underhood #27 - 20 amp

I will check them again after work, I'll keep you guys updated. Are there any relays for the 4x4 anywhere?

Most lights in the dash should come on with key on, its a "bulb test", so driver can see if a warning or information bulb is burned out, its not a test of any systems, just a dash bulb test

Check the shift motor connector, its outside and under the vehicle so can be corroded, also make sure pins and clamps in the connectors look OK

You can pull out the shift motor and test it using 12volts from battery, wires to use on diagram posted above, the brown/green and grey/orange
As said motor will turn one way with one polarity(12v/grd) then turn the other way with reverse polarity(grd/12v)

Question for RonD
Can the shift motor be installed so it was in one mode while transfer case was in another mode.

ie, switch and transfer case in 2 high, but the motor is in 4 low

Or transfer case in 4 low and motor in 2 high

No, the shift rod in transfer case has an end that only fits in to shift motor one way.

4th picture down in this thread: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...-motor.123542/

Shows the end of the shift rod, its in 2wd position and pointed at 2wd(2h)

You can manually move it to 4H or 4L, and then use vise grips and bungie cord to hold it there

But be careful there is a NEUTRAL even though its not marked, across from 2H is Neutral, so BLOCK a TIRE when shifting manually
Ford used to sell a kit to shift to Neutral for flat towing a Ranger 4x4
There is a contact for that, which is why there are 4 contacts, 2h, 4h, N, 4l

Neutral just wasn't added to the switch, not sure why?
The contact for its position is there, thats what the add-on kit used

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...b1ec61c678.jpg
This is the old motor harness
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...77905c1bc2.jpg
This is the new motor harness. So which wires would I use to test this motor, because the colors are different.

Yellow and orange wires going into the electric motor's housing

The other 5 wires are for the contacts

typing to slow again, RonD beat me