Hey I am a newby here. Have a 1994 Ranger Splash 4x4, automatic, 4.0 litre. The push button on dash for 4x4 only lights up when I push 4x4 high. 4x4 low doesn't light up or engage. I did read this before joining and I pushed on brake and had truck in neutral. Is this a switch/button problem or something on transfer case? Thanks

 

Does the 4high light go off or flash when you select 4low?

The 4WD lights are feedback from the 4x4 shift module, meaning they are not operated by the buttons
You push the button and the shift module gets that "change in voltage" from the switch, shift module then powers the shift motor on the transfer case to move shift rod to selected position.
Inside the shift motor's gear housing are 5 contacts, these contacts open and close as the motor turns the shift rod, each selection, 2WD, 4high, and 4low, have a unique contact open/closed setting.
The 4x4 shift module powers the motor until the selection's contacts are in the correct setting, when contacts are lined up THEN shift module turns on the 4WD light
That is why there is often a short delay from button push to 4WD light.

So what could be wrong?
If 4high and 2WD switching is working then fuses, shift module and shift motor are most likely OK

If 4high light doesn't flash when you select 4low but stays lit then shift module may not be getting the "command" to shift to 4low.
This could be bad switch or bad wire from switch to shift module.
This is a 3 position/3 wire switch, it has OFF(2WD), High, and Low
Shift module sends switch 5volts on 1 wire, if no volts come back on either of the other 2 wires then shift module selects 2WD
If High wire has 5volts coming back then 4High is selected, same if 5volts comes back on 4low wire, 4low is selected
So it is like a 3 position toggle switch, high, off, low
You can see the wire colors for those 3 wire in diagram below, white/blue(5v), dark blue(high) and orange/blue(low)

If 4high light goes out when you select 4low then shift module IS getting the "command" but isn't doing anything about it, so shift module problem

If it was a transfer case or shift motor problem the 4low light would flash or it would come on like normal but you wouldn't have 4low

You don't need your foot on the brake in 1994 and earlier models, but you do need transmission "out of gear" for 4 low.
So try Park as well as Neutral, also see if you can start the engine in Neutral, the same settings are need to Start the engine, Park/Neutral, as are needed for 4low shifting.
In manual trans it is Clutch pedal down all the way, for Starting or 4low shifting, gear or brake doesn't matter.

Another thing common to both types of transmissions is the SPEED SENSOR, it must be working and showing 0MPH to shift into 4low.
1994 and earlier used a speedometer cable, BUT, also had a speed sensor(VSS) attach with speedometer cable on the transmission.
VSS was used for cruise control and 4low
Pictures here of that dual setup, speedometer cable with VSS: http://www.therangerstation.com/how-...how-they-work/
Make sure VSS wires are attached and connector is clean and dry inside

 

Buddy thank you so much for your detailed reply. Fortunately it was none of these issues. I simply had to engage parking brake, along with truck being in neutral in order for low range to work. Thanks for your time bud and Merry Christmas!

 

Wow, never ever heard of that

I have a 1994 4x4 Ranger and all I need is clutch pedal down, 0MPH and it shifts to 4low

1995 and up needed brake on, but never ran across Parking Brake on