4x4 control module plug

[86rangerSTX]

86 ford ranger stx
I’m trying to get the 4x4 working and I did some diagnostics on the 4X4 control module.

It had no power or ground so I chased the wires and I found a plug under the driver side dash that comes off of the control module wiring harness. the rest of the harness goes to the electronic shift motor on the Transfer Case.

Does anyone know what this plug goes to?
I’ve looked all around under the dash looking for another plug that it goes into.
Maybe I’m just not seeing it? Or is there something that it plugs into that I can’t find?

also there are 4 other plugs under the driver side dash that don’t plug into anything
Can anyone identify them?

This come from 4x4 control module harness

Random plugs

 

[00t444e]

I would swap it to a manual shift transfer case.

 

[86rangerSTX]

is there a kit I can buy or something? Or would I just have to find one at the scrap yard

 

[00t444e]

is there a kit I can buy or something? Or would I just have to find one at the scrap yard

Just find one from the junkyard, get the lever, linkage and shift boot also. I got everything I needed for $300.

 

[Josh B]

Seems like a lot of money just to keep from having to push that one little button

 

[00t444e]

Seems like a lot of money just to keep from having to push that one little button

The button doesn't always work, and even when it does it's slow. Manual transfer case is better in every way.

 

[Josh B]

Mine has never failed to work in the short 18 years I've had it, and I have no fears it will engage when I push that button. After pushing that button it locks in as well as any other system. Backing up a few feet to disengage it, to me, is a small price to pay for not having to get out in the rain, mud, snow, and-or ice, to struggle with a hub that is froze up or won't lock in, which is the only experience I have had with a manual hub, which btw, was on a Bronco, appx 1983, not sure the year Bronco

 

[bcschief]

The shift motors were the biggest failure item back in the day, mostly due to water intrusion.

 

[ericbphoto]

The electric shift t-case works well and works reliably if exercised and maintained regularly. As for speed of shifting? How fast do you really need to shift to or from 4x4? It's not an appreciable difference.

 

[Josh B]

The shift motors were the biggest failure item back in the day, mostly due to water intrusion.

That's a good point Chief, and I have noticed the ones I have known to be positioned fairly above the TC
I have also noticed the manuals mostly state every day of use in water is reason to change the fluids completely, every day it gets wet at any level

 

[00t444e]

Mine has never failed to work in the short 18 years I've had it, and I have no fears it will engage when I push that button. After pushing that button it locks in as well as any other system. Backing up a few feet to disengage it, to me, is a small price to pay for not having to get out in the rain, mud, snow, and-or ice, to struggle with a hub that is froze up or won't lock in, which is the only experience I have had with a manual hub, which btw, was on a Bronco, appx 1983, not sure the year Bronco

Lock the hubs before you leave if you are going to need 4x4, I leave mine locked all winter. However that has nothing to do with a manual vs electric shift transfer case.

 

[00t444e]

The electric shift t-case works well and works reliably if exercised and maintained regularly. As for speed of shifting? How fast do you really need to shift to or from 4x4? It's not an appreciable difference.

With a manual shift transfer case to go in and out of low range I can be rolling at less than 10 MPH, pop it in neutral or push the clutch in and shift the transfer case, takes about a 2 seconds. With the electric shift you have to be stopped, with your foot on the brake, transmission in neutral, or clutch pressed in if manual, then you have to hit the switch and wait on the motor, even if it does work it is very annoying to do this every time you have to shift in or out of low range since it takes so much longer.

 

[ericbphoto]

With a manual shift transfer case to go in and out of low range I can be rolling at less than 10 MPH, pop it in neutral or push the clutch in and shift the transfer case, takes about a 2 seconds. With the electric shift you have to be stopped, with your foot on the brake, transmission in neutral, or clutch pressed in if manual, then you have to hit the switch and wait on the motor, even if it does work it is very annoying to do this every time you have to shift in or out of low range since it takes so much longer.

Electric transfer case shifting to high range is shift on the fly just like with manual. The motor really isn’t that slow. Granted, if you’re racing, it makes a difference. Otherwise, who cares about a 1second or 2 second shift time? Very few of us are racing.

 

[Shran]

@86rangerSTX sorry this thread has totally derailed.

Your module in the dash has a light on it, does it ever light up? What if you push the button on the module?

IIRC there is a harness that plugs into the dash, runs down along the floor on the driver's side under the carpet and then goes through the floor and into the t-case. There is also one that runs up the driver's side A pillar and into the Touch Drive control panel. Are all those intact?

Lock the hubs before you leave if you are going to need 4x4, I leave mine locked all winter. However that has nothing to do with a manual vs electric shift transfer case.

Great way to destroy the axle shaft thrust washer on a D35. Fine on a D28 that had a bearing... not so fine on others.

With a manual shift transfer case to go in and out of low range I can be rolling at less than 10 MPH, pop it in neutral or push the clutch in and shift the transfer case, takes about a 2 seconds. With the electric shift you have to be stopped, with your foot on the brake, transmission in neutral, or clutch pressed in if manual, then you have to hit the switch and wait on the motor, even if it does work it is very annoying to do this every time you have to shift in or out of low range since it takes so much longer.

Can ≠ should... most transfer cases should NOT be shifted from one range to another while moving. Does it really bother you that much to stop and shift?

Either way he has your suggestion so unless you have further troubleshooting steps for him to take, please cease your arguing here.

 

[00t444e]

Electric transfer case shifting to high range is shift on the fly just like with manual. The motor really isn’t that slow. Granted, if you’re racing, it makes a difference. Otherwise, who cares about a 1second or 2 second shift time? Very few of us are racing.

Yes, but it's low range that makes a difference and yes the extra time it takes and having to be at a complete stop is a nuisance.