4x4 won't engage

[sasquach]

I have a 1999 Mazda B4000 4x4 automatic with auto locking hubs, the 4x4 light comes on but the front axles don't engage. Worked last about 2 months ago. How do I troubleshoot the system.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I am assuming that B-Series has the same vacuum-actuated hubs as Rangers do, if they are different, someone please chime in.

It is most likely a vacuum leak...which is a very common problem with 98-00 Ranger/B-Series. I would recommend swapping out the auto locking hubs to manual hubs..costs roughly $125-ish depending on what hubs you buy and about twenty minutes to do.

Some more reading:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/AVM_hub_swap.htm

 

[Chance]

I would recommend swapping out the auto locking hubs to manual hubs..costs roughly $125-ish depending on what hubs you buy and about twenty minutes to do.

While I agree with you on the possible cause, I don't recommend the avm hubs. I fully support and recommend the 5 minute freefiddy manual conversion.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_19982000_Ford_Ranger_Pulse_Vacuum_Hubs.html

If the front driveshaft turns, then it's your hubs. If it doesn't, it's your t-case. Try cleaning the electric motor.

 

[rangertoy]

I could be wrong but if his 4X4 light is coming on then its not the shift motor. I would have to say its going to be the hubs themselves. I agree with Chance about the AVM hubs. IMO they are crap I went through 2 sets of them.

 

[WIDTIO]

AVM is also a poor solution to the hub dilemma. I agree with just converting the stock hubs.

In fact I wish I had done that in the first place. I have AVM right now and would like to purchase used hubs from someone on here if they are willing. (sorry to thread jack).

 

[adsm08]

I could be wrong but if his 4X4 light is coming on then its not the shift motor. I would have to say its going to be the hubs themselves. I agree with Chance about the AVM hubs. IMO they are crap I went through 2 sets of them.

You are correct sir. The 4x4 light comes on when the shift cam in the t-case moves into the 4x4 position and hits a switch. if the light is on then there is an extremely low chance that the t-case is the problem and a 0% chance that the shift motor is the problem.

Those AVM hubs are crap. My dad was going to give me his 97 F-150 Lariat, which was overall a very nice truck. I turned it down because the 4x4 was always broken, and it was almost always the vacuum hubs. I think the last time was the only time is wasnt, and that was the shift linkage.

 

[TheBeast]

I just popped the clip in my 99 ranger 4x4, cleaned out the shift motor, never had any problems with the 4x4 after that. Worked like a charm. Drove the truck everyday for 6 months with the solid front axle with no issues

 

[dbrutherford]

I have fought with the stupid tcase motor for years. It almost got me stuck on snow again today. The truck is in the garage drying out from the snowy roads. Tomorrow that motor is coming off and getting cleaned.

Someone could make a mint if they made a manual conversion shifter for that stupid tcase motor! Heck I am almost willing to swap the tcase just to rid myself of this problem. But the new problem is if I am going to swap tcases, I am going to put in an Atlas and they aren't cheap...

 

[dbrutherford]

Just an update as I cleaned my Tcase motor over Christmas. It didn't look all that dirty inside but there was some slight contaminates/dirt/crud on the armature from the brushes. I mean slight, I thought, this is what has gotten me stuck in snow, mud, wet grass, ect... for years? I hate this stupid motor!

I debated putting die electric grease on the brushes/armature. But I thought to myself, if a little black stuff causes me this much trouble, what woudl the greae do? So I didn't put any on.

Just be sure to remove the one wire pin in the connector when removign it. I chose not to cut mine. My connector looked clean too, no corrosion in it.

I did break off one of the two bolts that holds the Tcase motor pieces together. I was just the end where the two nuts are on the bracket. So the motor is held together fine, just teh bracket only has one nut holding it to the motor... I will fix it with a new bolt/stud/all thread next time I am under there.

The stop inside the gear was ok too, no problems there. I made sure to use silacone on all the seams putting it all back together. Now it works like a dream. We will see how it fares after the next water crossing/mud hole.