Low Range Troubleshooting

[IAmTodd]

I'm slowly working my way through the Explorers list of problems. I'm down to low range not engaging. 4hi engages with no issues, both lights light up and there is a click from the rear and you can hear the shift motor working.

So that's brings me to the issue of no low range. With the trans in neutral, brake and clutch depressed nothing happens when the 4lo button is pressed. There is no click from the rear, no sound of the shift motor moving.

The shift module checks out ok with 4 flashes from the led, 4hi is selected before attempting the 4lo shift. I'm at a loss of what could be the issue. Is this a left over issue from the manual conversion? I'm using a manual harness from a 93 in the truck along with the auto ECU still, trans neutral sensor is hooked up and everything works as it should. I will be pulling the shift motor to check it out but I don't think that's the issue since I hear no activity from the module in the rear like I do when I select 4hi.

 

[snoranger]

Ground the red/white wire on the 4wd module... then try shifting into low range.

Thats the wire that wont let you shift into low unless the trans is in neutral.

 

[Earl43P]

I can send you that schematic if you PM me your e-mail address.

Manual shift has the R/LB wire going to Pin 1 of the shift module, giving it 12v when in the Crank to Start position. Automatic trans had a Ground applied to that pin 1 on the R/W wire when the shifter is in the Neutral position.

That is the ONLY difference I see between the manual and auto trans wiring.

Try applying a Ground to Pin 1 of the Shift module (Red wire with a White stripe, available at the old NSS connector). My guess is you only touched the R/LB, which is now your clutch switch wire (along with PK) to get it to crank the starter.

I see no Neutral switch for the manual trans in 93, so if that trans has one, I have no idea what you "wired it " to do. Perhaps if you tell me those wire colors, it'd help.

Old Auto Trans NSS Connector had 5 wires:

BK/PK power to NSS for Rev lamps
P/O power to Rev lamps in R position
R/LB power when key at Start, for starter solenoid
PK to starter solenoid coil in P and N position
R/W Ground applied in Neutral position

 

[snoranger]

snoranger nails it while I type longer than necessary!

I'm a man of few words.


The yellow wire is just a ground wire I added. I have shift on the fly low range.

 

[IAmTodd]

Thank you both for your help. I'll check that out when I get home.

There are two two wire connectors on the top of the m50d. One is for reverse lights and the other I assumed was for a neutral switch. The trans is from a '91 and the harness from a '93. The '93 harness had the two connectors. When I'm under it fixing my fifth gear issues I'll write down the wire colors.

 

[IAmTodd]

That's perfect guys! Tested it in the driveway and she's locked and loaded. I'd still like to go manual but this will do until I can find one.

I'm really beginning to find you guys are a lot more knowledgable over here than Explorer Forum. Cheers!

 

[snoranger]

That's perfect guys! Tested it in the driveway and she's locked and loaded. I'd still like to go manual but this will do until I can find one.

I'm really beginning to find you guys are a lot more knowledgable over here than Explorer Forum. Cheers!

Be careful, you may have Shift-On-The-Fly low range like me.


That pic has been in my EF album for years... And I've told a few people on each of these 2 boards how to do this. Maybe you should practice with the search button.

 

[IAmTodd]

I'm good with my searching! Just waaaay too much to look at unfortunately.

It is shift on the fly but I know better than to ever do it on the move.

I just have to wonder if something like this is affecting my cruise control.