1999 XLT Manual Transmission 4x4 seemingly not working

[Aidanshmaidan]

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT Manual Transmission and it seems that the 4x4 isn't engaging / working properly. The 4hi / 4 lo lights flash upon startup but do not "land" on 4hi or 4 lo when selected.

You can hear a clicking behind the radio but nothing seems to happen. No audible sound from transfer case / drive shaft. The 4hi / 4 lo lights will then flash 4 or 6 times intermittently.

I've checked fuses, seem good. I've detached motor from transfer case and had someone move the switch while I watched and the motor didn't move at all. I felt a click or something within the cylindrical housing of the motor but that is all. I've been led to believe it might be the relay - I thought it might be the GEM until I read more into it. Speedometer and windshield wiper blades work as well as dome light. Dome light stayed on when dimmer dial was turned all the way up but it works right other than that. I've yet to hot wire the transfer case motor to eliminate that.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[SenorNoob]

Kinda sounds like your shift motor may be stuck.

 

[Aidanshmaidan]

I also forgot to mention that I tried a new motor and nothing still, no clicking in that one though. That new one didn't have the same wire that attached separately to the transfer case like my original though and it was a cheap eBay one too so that might be why the new motor didn't work either. It looks like it has that wire it's just not separate like the original one and just goes directly from the motor to the harness.

So I guess hot wire the old one and/or try a new quality for sure motor?

 

[Aidanshmaidan]

And/or take apart the old one

 

[Curious Hound]

Start here.

Transfer Case Troubleshooting - The Ranger Station

Are you having trouble with the transfer case in your 1983-2011 Ford Ranger 4x4? Here's a Transfer Case Troubleshooting guide.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Aidanshmaidan]

Grazie, I'll start with a couple of those of that list

 

[Curious Hound]

Grazie, I'll start with a couple of those of that list

Prego

 

[Jazzer]

Now I want spaghetti but it’s morning.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

There’s where I repaired a shift motor for dad’s 99 so you can see it all.

Not sure you need to review all of this video but I show dealing with the extra wire in it.

Another thing with the 98/99 is that the front has vacuum activated hubs and they are prone to leaks and failure. I don’t know if that affects transfer case operation or not. But it is a fixable thing, I’ve repaired leaks on dad’s one Ranger but the other two options are to go to manual hubs or convert to the later live axle design (requires wheel bearings and axle shafts from a late production 2000 or newer).