4low to 4 high takes too long!

[Don J.]

The 4X4 feature on my 2011 Ranger seems to be working properly. However, sometimes when I am in 4 low and try to go back into 4 high, it seems to take a longer than usual time. The manual says to put the automatic trans in Neutral and then move the electronic knob on the panel from 4low to 4 high. When I do, sometimes it takes 45 second to 1 minute for the 4 high light to come on indication that the trans is now out of 4 low. Is this normal? I had the shift motor replaced by a Ford dealer about 50,000 miles ago. Could it be going out again?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I dunno, seemed like mine always took forever to shift sometimes. I prefer a manual t-case because of it, but my 88 B2 and my 92 Ranger both still have electric cases. My green 00 now has an AWD t-case so nothing to shift anymore. Everything else is 2wd or manual shift, lol. My parents both have electric shift (99 Ranger and 02 Explorer) but they really don’t use 4x4 except snowy roads. I always just lived with it as long as it shifted and looked for an opportunity to upgrade.

 

[Curious Hound]

That sounds like a long time. Do you have your foot on the brake while doing it?

 

[Don J.]

That sounds like a long time. Do you have your foot on the brake while doing it?

Yes, and I have the transmission in neutral. It will go into 4 high and 4 low fairly quickly. It's just that sometimes it takes longer to come out of 4 low. I was experimenting with it last night in my driveway. It seemed to work normally then..

 

[Curious Hound]

Might be a loose or dirty connection to one of the motor wires so that the shift motor is not getting full voltage in one direction.

 

[Don J.]

Might be a loose or dirty connection to one of the motor wires so that the shift motor is not getting full voltage in one direction.

That is a possibility. I will get under there and look at the wiring tomorrow.

 

[Don J.]

I guess I don't have a problem after all. I tested the 4X4 system several times today. It shifted in and out of all selection quickly and without any problems. I don't know what I was doing wrong on my last camping trip when it took so long to shift. Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Be sure to exorcize that motor every month or so.

They get sticky and don't like to move.

 

[Curious Hound]

Be sure to exorcize that motor every month or so.

They get sticky and don't like to move.

Exercise it also.

 

[Don J.]

Be sure to exorcize that motor every month or so.

They get sticky and don't like to move.

Maybe that was what was causing the issue in the first place. I don't often use 4 High or 4 Low. However, I needed 4 Low on my last trip in the High Sierras. I was pulling my camper, and the road was fairly rough. I needed to go slow but still needed the RPM to be a little higher for engine cooling. I'll have to remember this suggestion.