4WD Trouble Codes - need help!

[Sailor Jerry]

1998 Ranger XLT 4.0 4WD

Stuck in 2WD, 4WD lights in dash blink 6 times, every 3 minutes.

Took it to Car-X for diagnosis. The tech was able to pull 3 trouble codes; but said he still wasn't sure what the problem was. The truck is stuck in 2WD; not 4HI like I originally thought. The shift switch has no effect on changing drive modes and the 4WD indicator lights are still blinking. A little googling yielded the meanings of the tree trouble codes:

P1832 - Transfer Case 4-Wheel Drive Solenoid Circuit Open or Short To Ground

P1838 - No Shift Motor Movement Detected

P1878 - Transmission Transfer Case Disengaged Solenoid Circuit Failure

I thinking it's got to the transfer case motor. A new motor is $100 -$130 and cannot be returned to most parts stores. Kind of an expensive gamble to buy one and swap it. Not sure what I should do. Anyone have an ideas?

 

[feellnfroggy]

There is a constant power flow to one of you circuits, 1st code.

the shift motor isnt moving, self explanatory.

The transfer case is disengaged, just telling you that its locked in 2 hi and not 4hi.

the one you need to be concerned with is the first trouble code. the other two are effects of the first. Figure out which circuit is grounded or shorting out or has constant power flow that shouldnt. A haynes manual from the autoparts store and avoltmeter will help with this. I would start by checkin all your switches, and modules at the plugs for frayed bent pinched wires or any damage. check the wires under the truck to make sure they arent stripped nad crossed somehow. Most likely the wires to the shift motor. Check all your wires inch by inch from the shift motor to the 4x4 module to the gem module to the switch if you have to till you find it. Dont replace the motor yet. If yo worried about the motor, use the tech library shift motor cleaning article and pull it out of the transfer case, clean the inerds and replace it, checkining wire while you do. It takes about 20 minutes to pull clean and reinstall the motor.

 

[hondaxr650]

The code explanations you have are not exactly correct. According to the Ford manual, the first and third codes are related to the vacuum solenoid for the hub locks and the second one is t/case motor related. Looks like you may have 2 problems. The only way to know what's up for sure is to have a manual to perform the diagnostic tests.