4x4 doesn't work
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From: Lakeville, Minnesota
4x4 doesn't work
I have a 1999 ford ranger, this winter my 4x4 went out, worked all winter except the last bad snowstorm. When I switch it into 4x4 high (or low) the light switches over from rwd to 4x4 high, but nothing else happens...wondering what the problem could be...thanks!
Welcome to the forum
The electric shift transfer case engages the front axle drive shaft when 4WD is selected, 4high or 4low, and then disengages front axle drive shaft when 2WD is selected, this has been the same setup since the 1980's in Rangers, and up until 2012, the last Ranger.
1980's to 1997 had "auto hubs" or Manual hubs to lock front wheels to front axle
With manual hubs you have to get out of the truck and Lock each front wheel to its axle when you wanted 4WD, manual hubs are the most reliable setup but does require you to Lock and unLock yourself
Auto hubs used the Torque of the front axle turning when 4WD was selected in transfer case, in 2WD the transfer case doesn't power the front drive shaft so it doesn't turn, in 4WD front drive shaft is powered so Auto Hub would detect this and Lock each front wheel to the now turning axle.
Auto hubs did have their problems but what automatic system doesn't
1998 to 2000 Rangers changed from Auto Hubs to PVH(pulse vacuum hubs) on the front wheels to Lock the wheels(hubs) to the front axles when 4WD is selected
So this is what your 1999 will have.
PVH was a bad design, it had problems from the start which is why Ford only used it for 3 years, and actually less, as the 4.0l Rangers started getting Live Axle as early as 1999.
"Live axle" means the front axles are always Locked, 2WD or 4WD is done in the transfer case, as it always was.
The 4WD lights on the dash means the transfer case is shifting into 4WD, lights are connected to Contacts in the shift motor, so if shift motor doesn't turn transfer case into correct position the 4WD light will flash showing a problem, so if 4high and 4low lights come on steady then transfer case is in the correct position for 4WD.
There is no indicator for front wheels being locked, so if you select 4high and light comes on but you have no power at the front wheels then the hubs/wheels are unLocked, so PVH problem.
You can check and service the PVH system, read here: Troubleshoot / Fix Your PVH Hubs : The Ranger Station
But IMO your time would be better spent on installing Manual Hubs because there is no "Fix" for PVH(or Ford would have redesigned it, lol), you can sometimes get it working again, but it will be temporary until it fails again, and you will only know it has failed again when you NEED 4WD and don't have it.
AVM/Rugged Ridge are the only Manual Hubs that fit/replace the PVH hubs
Install article here: 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Manual Locking Hubs : The Ranger Station
You can often find a set at wrecking yards, but can buy new they still make them
If you go with manual hubs you can leave the front wheels Locked all winter, and just select 4WD as needed, so you can "shift on the fly" as before, no need to get out to Lock manual hubs.
This is the way all 2001 to 2012 Ranger work, front hubs/wheels are always Locked to axle, can't unLock them.
In the summer you have the option to unLock them, it you want, doesn't hurt anything to run with hubs Locked 24/7 12months a year.
MPG was a concern with Locked hubs in 2WD, testing showed .2-.3 loss in MPG, so not nothing but doesn't break the bank either, so up to you really
The electric shift transfer case engages the front axle drive shaft when 4WD is selected, 4high or 4low, and then disengages front axle drive shaft when 2WD is selected, this has been the same setup since the 1980's in Rangers, and up until 2012, the last Ranger.
1980's to 1997 had "auto hubs" or Manual hubs to lock front wheels to front axle
With manual hubs you have to get out of the truck and Lock each front wheel to its axle when you wanted 4WD, manual hubs are the most reliable setup but does require you to Lock and unLock yourself
Auto hubs used the Torque of the front axle turning when 4WD was selected in transfer case, in 2WD the transfer case doesn't power the front drive shaft so it doesn't turn, in 4WD front drive shaft is powered so Auto Hub would detect this and Lock each front wheel to the now turning axle.
Auto hubs did have their problems but what automatic system doesn't
1998 to 2000 Rangers changed from Auto Hubs to PVH(pulse vacuum hubs) on the front wheels to Lock the wheels(hubs) to the front axles when 4WD is selected
So this is what your 1999 will have.
PVH was a bad design, it had problems from the start which is why Ford only used it for 3 years, and actually less, as the 4.0l Rangers started getting Live Axle as early as 1999.
"Live axle" means the front axles are always Locked, 2WD or 4WD is done in the transfer case, as it always was.
The 4WD lights on the dash means the transfer case is shifting into 4WD, lights are connected to Contacts in the shift motor, so if shift motor doesn't turn transfer case into correct position the 4WD light will flash showing a problem, so if 4high and 4low lights come on steady then transfer case is in the correct position for 4WD.
There is no indicator for front wheels being locked, so if you select 4high and light comes on but you have no power at the front wheels then the hubs/wheels are unLocked, so PVH problem.
You can check and service the PVH system, read here: Troubleshoot / Fix Your PVH Hubs : The Ranger Station
But IMO your time would be better spent on installing Manual Hubs because there is no "Fix" for PVH(or Ford would have redesigned it, lol), you can sometimes get it working again, but it will be temporary until it fails again, and you will only know it has failed again when you NEED 4WD and don't have it.
AVM/Rugged Ridge are the only Manual Hubs that fit/replace the PVH hubs
Install article here: 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Manual Locking Hubs : The Ranger Station
You can often find a set at wrecking yards, but can buy new they still make them
If you go with manual hubs you can leave the front wheels Locked all winter, and just select 4WD as needed, so you can "shift on the fly" as before, no need to get out to Lock manual hubs.
This is the way all 2001 to 2012 Ranger work, front hubs/wheels are always Locked to axle, can't unLock them.
In the summer you have the option to unLock them, it you want, doesn't hurt anything to run with hubs Locked 24/7 12months a year.
MPG was a concern with Locked hubs in 2WD, testing showed .2-.3 loss in MPG, so not nothing but doesn't break the bank either, so up to you really
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