My mom's '97 Explorer wont come out of 4low......i think it is the t-case shift motor....is that correct?

How hard is it to change? she has the auto 4wd t-case........

any tips, pointers, advice?

 

Tap the motor gently with a screwdriver or hammer handle. See if that helps

 

did that, didn't help.....i think the motor is completely shot....

anyway to check it...

 

Go to http://www.explorerforum.com and search for transfer case motor posts. What you'll find is some good troubleshooting advice.

It can be the motor, the limit switches, the controller, even a fuse.

One test is to unplug the connector and directly drive the motor from 12 volts and see if it works.

It very well could be the motor, but it's by no means a sure thing. Don't assume anything as it's really not a "simple" system and several things can immobilize it. Do the testing so you don't chase your tail, so-to-speak.

 

thanks John.....forgot about Explorer Forum!

 

You should be able to shift the t-case with a pair of pliers to get it home.

 

how the heck you do that?

 

Remove the switch housing (torx bolts) to expose the shaft. Then turn it fully clockwise as far as you can. That's 2 high.

Depending on how corroded it is, you can remove the entire motor housing -- but I think you can get to the shaft just through the top of the switch -- don't remember though. I have one disassembled in the basement, but I'm not home.

DOH! [edit] I'm an idiot! You have to take the motor and switch housing off or you won't be ABLE to turn the shaft against the gearing from the motor...they show you how to do that on ExplorerForum.

 

i have searched all over the place on Explorer Forum....couldn't find anything......if i take the motor off, will it lose fluid? i need to drive this dude to the shop if i can't figure it out..that way i don't have to spend another $100 on towing...

unless my Ranger would pull it with the hitch i just bought....then i can borrow a trailer and haul it there....hmmmm...

 

I'll find it for you, Maurice, stand by...

 

sweet!........do you think my Ranger could pull the Explorer?

 

use your brothers cummins!

 

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=123542

and another resource

http://web.archive.org/web/200401092...ges/tcase.html

 

yea right....i wish......i can't get that tonight.....aint worth the hour drive to Salem to get it and the hour drive to take it back so he can have it for work tomorrow (it is now his work truck for his construction business)

 

you da man John!

 

This pic shows the bolts to remove the motor and switch assembly (if they link -- red arrows are the bolts):



And this one shows the shaft:

 

that article says that it takes a lot of torque to move the shaft.....is it really that hard to move or was that a bit of a tale?

 

i am assuming that the transfer case in the "Control Trac" 4wd models is the 1354 correct?

 

BW4405

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...sferCases.html

 

thank ya sir....forgot about that tech page on TRS....

 

according to my local O'Reilly Auto Parts, both the 1354 and the 4405 use the same shift motors.....

i am going to check the fuse when i get home and unplug the connectors and clean them out to see if that is it.....hopefully that is all it is, but if it is a fuse, wouldn't that mean that the motor is shorting out? if it is shorting out, then that means a bad motor i would think...

 

Very similar except for the center "coupler" inside the t-case for the all wheel drive mode.

 

so the motors are the same then right....

 

Yes, but the shaft positions could be different. Either way, fully clockwise should be 2 High.

 

sweet! thanks John....you da man!