2001 Ford Ranger won't go in to 4LO

[Jim Oaks]

I'm working on a 2001 4x4 Ranger (3.0 / automatic).

Previous owner said his daughter was driving the truck, that it went in to 4LO, and wouldn't come out of 4LO.

The truck was stuck in 4LO, and I couldn't get it out. I ended up removing the shift motor, and sticking a Shiftster on it so I could put in in 2WD and drive it (4LO light was still on). I noticed that the speedometer wouldn't go over 35-38 MPH, and also noticed at some point that the transmission didn't seem to want to shift out of second unless I let up on the gas.

I checked all the fuses. - Good

Pulled the battery cable, let the 4WD reset, and made sure the switch was in 2WD. Reattached the battery cables, turned on the key, and the 4LO light was gone (I could not get it to reset with the t-case motor plugged in). Tested the 4WD switch, and got different volts for the different setting suggesting that it was working.

This is a 2001, but there is no 4WD control module behind the drivers side kick panel. It must be the 2000 GEM setup. All my lights seem to work correctly.

I also noted that the 4WD light briefly comes on when you start the truck, and then goes out. Not blinking 4x4 lights.

Picked up a new t-case shift motor from Rock Auto (Around $60). Got it hooked up and the truck will now go in and out of 4HI, but won't go in to 4LO. Yes- I'm in neutral with my foot on the brake.

I also replaced the sensor in the rear diff because I didn't know if that was causing the speedometer and shifting errors.

So at this point, I can't figure out why it won't go in to 4LO.

While trying to find others that have dealt with this problem to see if they found a solution, I found this old post on the explorerforum:

ive got a 2002 ford sport trac the four wheel drive worked about 2 weeks ago then i try to put it in four wheel drive one day and it clicked and lite up 4 low light like it was gonna do it but the transfer case never locked in.. and now the 4 low light is still on and wont go off the speedometer only goes to 30 if im going like 60 and it shifts through the gears incorrectly.. anybody got anything on what could be wrong with it?

thanks

So, I'm thinking that there is a relationship between all of these problems.

Unfortunately, people post a problems online, but many times they never post the solutions.

So, good fuses, new shift motor, new sensor in rear diff, in neutral - foot on brake before shifting to 4LO, But no 4LO, and no blinking dash lights. When I shift to 4LO, the dash still says 4HI, and I don't hear any noises.

Any suggestions???

 

[adsm08]

It sounds like something is keeping it from seeing one of the needed inputs for the low range shift.

Will it start in N?

 

[Jim Oaks]

It sounds like something is keeping it from seeing one of the needed inputs for the low range shift.

Will it start in N?

Yes it will. I'm starting to wonder if it's the GEM, but the lights and power windows function properly. I guess I figured if it was bad, there would be other notable issues.

 

[Doofy]

On my '98 there was an additional fuse that I found blown. It said 4x4 and B/U lights, I think. Info will be somewhere in my posts...

Turned out to be #27 fuse in cab. Lights flashed and relays clicked but no motor action.

 

[adsm08]

Its possible for only one part of the GEM to fail. In fact they are the only module that doesn't usually go as a whole unit. It is also possible one of those signals isn't making it to the GEM.

I hate to say it Jim but I think its time for the good scanner.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Does the transfer case shift easily manually?

 

[Jim Oaks]

When I put the Shiftster knob on, I believe there was some tension on it when I was turning it to 2WD. When I took the knob off to replace the motor, I don't recall any force making it want to spring back to 4WD

 

[Jim Oaks]

The system couldn't take the old motor out of 4LO, and it can't put the new motor in 4LO, but it can go in and out of 4HI. There's a connection there somewhere in that problem.

What's the common denominator?

 

[Jim Oaks]

One other thing, the cruise control switch on the steering wheel is broke off. Could there be any connections that pass through that switch? Long shot, but I'm looking at everything.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Well, I had fixed....briefly.

I found the speed sensor on the rear top of the transmission and replaced it today.

The 4WD was actually going in to 4LO. It took a few seconds, but it went.

So, I decided the plug in the old t-case motor to see what it would do. That motor was still stuck in 4LO.

Plugged the new motor back in, and I'm back to only having 2WD and 4HI.

I did realize that I could hear clicking from the passenger side kick panel when I was going in and out of 4HI. I pulled the panel and there was the module.

So, now I'm wondering if it's just a bad module. I looked online, but none of the parts stores have one.

I can get a used one on ebay for $70, or a new one on Amazon for $153.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Replaced the module, and 4LO is working again.