4WD wont work!

[boysurfer1997]

I have an automatic 4WD in my 98 ranger. Whenever I switch into 4Wd the truck goes into neutral on all wheels. It doesnt matter what gear the transmission is in or what speed im going. Any help diagnosing the problem?

 

[Spott]

The most likely problem would be that your transfer case is shifting into neutral instead of 4 hi or 4 lo. This could be caused by a bad position sensor, bad wiring, a bad controller, or mechanical damage in the transfer case.

I don't know what transfer case your truck has, or any details, but I would start by taking the shift motor off the transfer case and see if you can manually shift it into all 4 positions: 2 Hi, 4 Hi, Neutral and 4 Lo, and double check that it operates correctly in all 4 positions. If not, your transfer case is damaged. If it does work, then you need to start diagnosing the electrical shift system parts, which will probably require a wiring diagram and an electrical test meter.

 

[enjr44]

Lurk!

 

[Ranger4x4.0]

98s have neutral? Mine just has 2h,4h,4l.

 

[enjr44]

98s have neutral? Mine just has 2h,4h,4l.

I think the poster means "neutral" as far as 4X4 is concerned. The transfer case does have a shift position (neutral??) where there is no out to the front shaft even though there is out put to the rear shaft. You cannot select two wheel drive, you can select 4h or 4l or turn the 4X4 off. I guess it could be described as having the 4 wheel drive in neutral.

But, in this case as described by sufer I think the problem is deeper into the t-case. To troubleshoot I would pull the electric shift motor and see if I can shift it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=135...8huixjriM:&usg=__3vSm3V9nrp9BP4Qwos9obHwkJBc=

 

[Spott]

I think the poster means "neutral" as far as 4X4 is concerned. The transfer case does have a shift position (neutral??) where there is no out to the front shaft even though there is out put to the rear shaft. You cannot select two wheel drive, you can select 4h or 4l or turn the 4X4 off. I guess it could be described as having the 4 wheel drive in neutral.

But, in this case as described by sufer I think the problem is deeper into the t-case. To troubleshoot I would pull the electric shift motor and see if I can shift it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=135...8huixjriM:&usg=__3vSm3V9nrp9BP4Qwos9obHwkJBc=

No, I really mean neutral.

Although the pushbutton controls don't allow you to select it, there is a mechanical position in the transfer case that is neutral, where any output from the transmission is not transmitted to the driveshafts. It's in-between 4hi and 4lo. The gears for 4hi must disengage well before the gears for 4lo engage, or the gears would bind up and destroy something. That position between 4hi and 4lo is neutral. It might be a pretty narrow spot to shift into, depending on the transfer case, but it's there.

The electric shift/pushbutton system doesn't let you select that neutral position, although I have heard that there was a trailering option available through '93 for the electric-shift transfer case that would put it in neutral if you pushed the 4hi and 4lo buttons at the same time, but it wasn't a standard option. However, if you take the shift motor off of the transfer case and move the shift assembly by hand (or wrench) you can get it into 2hi, 4hi, neutral, and 4lo, in that order.

 

[Andy D]

The Rat had no shift motor when I bought it. The ranges are cast into the mounting face of the 1354. The motor must couple with the triangular shaft. I highlighited the point and the print for 4 wheel high, Low and 2 wheel. I have a small vise grip clamped on the shaft and wired in 4 wheel high.

 

[jeremysdad]

Can the electric t-cases not do 2-low without manual hubs?

I would die. lol

 

[Andy D]

Probably, I used to do it with my twin stick Willys .

 

[Big Jim M]

nope!

Can the electric t-cases not do 2-low without manual hubs?

I would die. lol

I am not familiar with any case that can use 2-low without unlocking the hubs or dropping a driveshaft.
I once had to drop my BACK driveshaft and drove only on the front wheels with the hubs locked.
Big Jim

 

[jeremysdad]

I am not familiar with any case that can use 2-low without unlocking the hubs or dropping a driveshaft.
I once had to drop my BACK driveshaft and drove only on the front wheels with the hubs locked.
Big Jim

That's why I asked. I was assuming that the electric case trucks had auto hubs as well, unless they had been converted.

I adore the ability of 2lo with my manual/manual combo.