4x4 won't engage

[Vaximily]

I know nothing about the system or even how it's supposed to function. . . got the 4x4 light on the dash to come on once but turned it off and it never came back on again, despite many attempts while stationary and while driving.

Any ideas where to start?

1989 Ford Ranger 2.9L V6, XLT

THANKS!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[RonD]

How it works:
There is a 4x4 module usually located behind the drivers seat, these don't fail often, but can.
The 4x4 module runs the electric shift motor on the back of the transfer case, the shift motor often stops working, a few taps with a hammer will often get it working, temporarily, again.
Inside the shift motor are several contacts that power the dash lights.

So when you push the 4x4 high button on the dash, that command goes to the 4x4 module, which then sends power to the shift motor, if the shift motor turns the transfer case shift rod to the correct location then the contacts touch and power is sent to the 4x4 high light on dash.
Same for 4x4 low.
So dash lights not working means the shift motor is not turning.

There are also a couple of fuses that power the shift motor and 4x4 module that can blow.
I don't have a 1989 wiring diagram so can't help you ID # of each fuse

Here is a read about shift motor: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TCaseshiftmotor.shtml

4x4 module info here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4wd_control_module.html

 

[Vaximily]

How it works:
There is a 4x4 module usually located behind the drivers seat, these don't fail often, but can.
The 4x4 module runs the electric shift motor on the back of the transfer case, the shift motor often stops working, a few taps with a hammer will often get it working, temporarily, again.
Inside the shift motor are several contacts that power the dash lights.

So when you push the 4x4 high button on the dash, that command goes to the 4x4 module, which then sends power to the shift motor, if the shift motor turns the transfer case shift rod to the correct location then the contacts touch and power is sent to the 4x4 high light on dash.
Same for 4x4 low.
So dash lights not working means the shift motor is not turning.

There are also a couple of fuses that power the shift motor and 4x4 module that can blow.
I don't have a 1989 wiring diagram so can't help you ID # of each fuse

Here is a read about shift motor: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TCaseshiftmotor.shtml

4x4 module info here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4wd_control_module.html

Thanks for this info! While I dig in for a bit of reading while waiting for my other posts to get some responses, I did want to mention that the "Rear AntiLock" light has been on on the dash since I got the truck. Not sure if it's relevant to this issue or not, though.