Hey everyone new to this forum!! so I recently just got a really good deal on a 2008 fx4 ranger but the 4x4 is have some issues. So first off, it isn’t switching into 4h,4L,2h very well. for a couple days is was stuck in 4h, I was then able to switch it into 2h (just randomly I tried it the next day and it worked), which it’s currently in now and now will not go into 4h. To add to this, on the dash no matter what I switch it into the “4x4” illuminating light on the dash is stunk on 4x4. today I’m going to try and take off the shift motor and look at that to see if it’s turning which tbh isn’t looks all the pretty anyways lol but as for the light on the dash that’s stuck on 4x4 would that have to do with the transfer module?? How would I test that without having to buy a new one? Thanks! Hopefully I’m posting this in the right spot

 

Yes, the 4x4CM(control module) runs the system and "tells" the Digital dash(HEC) to turn on the 4WD light, but that's actually done thru the ABS module, so a bit of a convoluted pathway, for those lights
In 2004 and up Rangers got CAN Bus data network that interconnects all the modules in the vehicle, so there is no direct connection between the 4WD lights and the 4x4 system in a 2008

But there is between the 4x4CM and the shift motor
Most common cause when 4WD is intermittent is disuse, yes lack of shifting into 4WD causes shift motor to become unreliable, tap it with a hammer and it will start to work again, but can stop working at any moment

It uses an electric motor with brushes and rotor, when the motor sit for months on end the brushes get stuck and rotor corrodes, so when you need it, it doesn't work, hit a few bumps in the road and it starts working(i.e. hit it with a hammer)
The jolt "can" free up a brush so it can make contact with the rotor and it works, for now
You can disassemble the motor and clean the rotor and replace the brushes, seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...e-shift-motor/

In either case, rebuild or replace, the shift motor, you should remember to shift transfer case from 2WD to 4H and then 4L, and then back to 2WD once a month, just sitting in the driveway, you don't have to drive it in 4WD, all you want to do is spin the shift motor to keep brushes and rotor clean and spread out the lube in worm gear and wheel drive

As for the 4WD light, I would reset the system by unhooking either battery cable for 5 min, then reconnect it, this resets all the modules and dash, and "may" clear the data causing 4WD light to be on in 2WD

 

thank you so much for all the information! I did just tap on the shift motor and I’m going to unplug the battery terminal for 5 like you said and see what happens. I did just end up ordering a new shift motor anyways because like I said the one that on there now is in pretty rough shape. I’ll let you know the results. Thanks again!

 

quick update, unplugged the battery for about 10min, the 4x4 light inndicator didn't end up going away. also a lot of quiet clicking noise coming from which I'd imagine is the 4x4CM module. going to be installing the shift motor today or tomorrow.

 

4x4CM is behind the radio

If shift motor is not plugged in it will "click" with key on as the 4x4CM tries to "see" the position of the shift motor/transfer case
Shift motor has 5 contacts touching on a contact wheel, those contacts "tell" 4x4CM what position the shift motor is in with key on
If those 5 wires are not connected, plugged in, then 4x4CM tries to move the shift motor a bit each way, the "clicking" of relays, to see if contacts are working

 

I tested the transfer shift motor lastngiht, it was clicking but not moving at all. Put the new one on and it worked great and the 4x4 light dash indicator is going on and off properly when switching into 4H and back to 2H. Thanks again for all the help now to deal with the bed of the truck 🙄 lol I’ll probably have to look at different thread for that.

 

Good work

Thanks for posting THE FIX, it will help someone else one day

 

Too bad I'm limited to one "LIKE". It's so rare someone finds the solution then actually posts it.

 

I find it strange when people don't say if what they were trying to fix actually worked or not lol now I gotta find my way to the bed/crossmember repair thread. have a rusted out crossmember which is causing the top of the shock on the passenger side to hit the bed if I hit some bumps.

 

Some pointers on crossmembers in this thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...member-155033/

 

awesome thank you!