4x4 not engaging

[paversano]

I live in Patagonia, South Argentina, and I do 4x4 tours round the region as an afficionate. So I use it on tough conditions.

I had the same problem short ago, and at first I could solve it by disconecting the battery and retrying. It seems like the computer tries to hook the 4x4 3 times (you can hear it), and if it fails all 3 times it won't try again, it will just blink on the panel but don't even try to move the electric engine that engages the 4x4. This problem sometimes also started for me because of other reasons (water, pavement angagement of the 4wd), and keep on afterwards.

So when you unplug the battery, the computers resets itself and tries to hook the 4x4 system again. You do it over and over while in real slow motion (even slower than in first gear) until it hooks finally, and once it does, for some time you'll be able to unhook and hook it again normally.

And for the next one, dont let it fail 3 times. You hear it, and if after the second try it doesn't engage the 4wd, you can set it back to 4x2 and retry a few seconds later. That's easier then unpluging the battery.

In the end, it will fail permanently, and you'll have to replace the vacuum hob. This is just a tip to get you on the move for the moment.

Finally, never do it on pavement or other well traction ground, or at least if you do so, don't ever turn direction 'cause both wheels run always at same speed. It doesn't work like rear ones.

Best luck.
Pablo.

 

[bltpls5]

Hi, I have a 88 Ranger 2.9 auto, with the same problem, with only not going into low. first I tried replacing the nuetral switch and that work until it would not come out of low, then found no power going through the motor and havn't yet got into tearing that apart. around hear it a hard to find item.

 

[bltpls5]

Hi again, is it possible to convert to manual shift using the electronic shift transfercase. If so how?

 

[firsttime4x4]

see the thing is my lights don't flash...everything comes on like normal and I can hear the trasfer case click and my front drive shaft turns...does this make is almost 100% likely i's the 4x4 hub(s)?

 

[joecool85]

Hi again, is it possible to convert to manual shift using the electronic shift transfercase. If so how?

I was thinking about this the other day. It is totally possible. All the motor does is rotate a shaft. So, remove the motor, attach a level and you're good to go. I made it sound easy though, it'll be tougher than that, you have to work out a hookup to the shaft on the t-case and then also make gates for the lever so you can't shift it "too far" so to speak.