01 ranger 4x4-4.0 litre---All of a sudden no 4x4, high or low (when I needed it of course) but did get out in 2x4. checked the obvious (fuses) all good. NO light on the dash either of course. Sloppy weather coming in a day or two--What should I look for next? TNX!!!! Tom (In the backwoods of N.E. Minnesota)

 

Do the lights come on while while you start the truck?

 

rangers like to just randomly say "f you" and not engage into 4wd, then a few hours or the next day I'll switch over just fine.

it could be more severe though

 

Did you by chance bury the transfer case in a lot of water or mud? Sometimes crap gets into the shift motor and it gets stuck. Sometimes, it just gets stuck without stuff getting in there. I've been up a creek without a paddle because of this once. I fixed it by beating on the transfer case with a tire iron and it shifted.

 

Did not bury the truck- just needed 4x4 for some sandy conditions and wouldnt work. No 4x4 high or 4x4 low lights on at all at any time. Tnx guys fer trying to help--Any more ideas???(yup, also went out and tried it again just now after 3 hours shut down) DON'T want to leave it in 4x4 when I get it going fer all my next 9 months of winter up here cause I'm afraid it wont engage when a guy needs it!!! HaHaHaHa-------Tom

 

But do the light come on when you start the truck like the rest of the dash light do? If they don't then check your fuses again carefully and if nothing then you probably have a fried 4wd computer. You can also try checking the connector that's on the bottom of the truck.

 

What you should really look for is a manuel T-case lol , but a simplier fix is to just switch it in 4wd once a month or so just to keep the motor from jamming up. You can help it along by taking it apart and manuel switching the motor over.

 

Yup- no 4x4 lights @ start up like the rest of 'em-- will ck the fuses again & ck the stuff under the truck @ the transfer case

 

Hopefully not a fried 4x computer---Can only imagine the $$$$$ there (HA HA I think)

 

It's like $400ish for it. Check the main connector. Maybe there is crap in it.

 

i have an extra computer sitting in my truck since i swapped to a manual tcase

 

Well-all fuses good, connector at shift motor clean.rapped on the motor to no avail!! Is the shift motor a common thing?? and how to test? (they have 1 at my local parts store fer 70 bucks but would really like 2 know fer sure first-elec parts are non-returnable if installed of course) DONT & WILL NOT become a PARTS CHANGER & HOPE FER THE BEST!!! Oh Well---Thanks fer any other stuff you guys can tell me! Tom