2001 ford ranger 4x4 with a 3.0. This is not mine it's a friends but they said it was stuck in 4wd low and would come out of it and they were doing it properly. When I got over there i was able to get it out of 4 low but when I was trying to shift into 4 hi from 2wd it you can hear the relays click and it feels like its trying to shift but the 4x4 light turns on then turns off right away. What would cause this? I'm thinking it's probably the electronic motor on the t case. Not 100% sure and wanted to hear other possibilities

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, thats probably a pretty good guess
The shift motor is the only moving part of the shift system, so it can wear out, the brushes in the electric motor wear down, so spring may not be holding them tight to rotor
But the brushes also can get stuck if system is not used for 10/11 months a year
Tapping on the motor can get it working again, like an older starter motor, lol
And if it did start working again you would still want to replace it, just like that starter motor

Just a heads up
A common failing on the 2001 to 2011 Ranger 4x4s was the 4x4CM(control module), in 2001 its behind passenger side kick panel
These would just fail out of the blue, but no relay clicks and no dash light, just no 4WD

There are only 3 parts to the system
Dash switch, never breaks
4x4CM
Shift motor

 

Are the 4X4CM's for the other years (2002-2011) all behind the radio?

 

2001-2003 4x4CMs are in passenger kick panel, and there was a Body Computer behind the radio, GEM module
(From 1995-2000 the GEM module operated the 4x4 system, in 2001 Rangers got "Live Axle", and 4x4CM)

In 2004 Rangers changed to digit dash(HEC) and got a new body computer, the SJB(smart junction box), which was larger and located in the passenger kick panel
So for 2004 - 2011 the 4x4CM was moved to behind the radio