1990 bronco 2 4wd not engaging

[Km103005]

ok i have a 1990 bronco 2 4x4 its got that dang push button 4x4 on the dash, and it has the auto hubs also when Ipush the button I can hear the motor buzzing and the lights by the buttons light up but 4wd isnt engaging and ideas where I need to start looking ??

my bronco is stuck in the yard in 2 inches of snow thanks to a open rear differential and 4wd not working


can I get a manual shift transfercase out of a older bronco II and bolt it in without having to change anything else?

think after i get the 4x4 situation fixed im gonna the rear end

 

[adsm08]

Well, if you hear the motor working its a good chance its the hubs not engaging. Obvious question is usually, does the front d-shaft move, but if you are stuck in 2 inches of mud, that may not be the easiest thing to check out. If you dont want to be on the ground while you test this what you can do is put a long zip tie on it, gun it, and listen for the zip tie to hit something.

If you get yourself a MS t-case is will bolt right up.

I happen to have one for sale if you are close enough. I'd rather not ship since too far and shipping will probably end up being more than I want for the part itself. And I want the front d-shaft to go with it, hard to find a box those fit in well.

 

[88BII got it for $250]

Umm, the shift motor should not buzz.... mine clicks twice then goes into 4x4.
Most of the time auto hubs will pop when they are failing, not all the time but most.

When you push the push buttn does the light flash twice then stay on, or does it keep flashing? Flashing more then a few times most of the time will mean the motor is not working.

Being yours is a 90, mine is an 86 your dash is different, dont know if this will be the same. sure its just a different switch though.

 

[Km103005]

Yeah the light on the dash for the 4x4 flashes twice then stays on I'm thinking it the hubs but I haven't messed with it yet it been just to dang cold outside last few days

if the hubs are bad would it be just one side or both ? Would it be possible to replace the auto hubs with manual ones. Without having to change anything else?

 

[adsm08]

One side could do that since you probably have an open front end. I run around all winter with only one hub locked. That way I get all the benefits of not having the front locked in on the highway, but if I happen to need it I just have to hop out at a stop light and grab the driver's hub.

I think there is a good article on this conversion in the tech library. I think you need a few more things than just hubs, but I think some of the fab guys sell them here for a decent price.

 

[88BII got it for $250]

Yeah, you will need more then just manual hubs. check the tech lib.
Still, your shift motor should bot buzz, check to see that your front driveshaft is spinning.
If it is try tapping the hubs with a hammer, they may be froze?
Like I said when a hub is not grabing it should make a poping noise, or a grinding noise.
I have never had one just do nothing. But everything brakes different.