Explorer 4x4 issues...

['99 EB Explorer]

Hey guys, it's been forever since i've been here.

I've just recently bought a '99 Explorer. Nobody around here seems to be able to agree on how the 4x4 works on this truck. Most say it's vaccum actuated.

Anyway..my problem is...when I shift to 4x4 high and 4x4 low, I CAN feel the transfer case shift, but the 4x4 still doesn't work. The people that say that it's vaccum actuated are saying that it could be a vaccum leak...maybe even the vaccum solenoid.

If anyone can provide some insight on this, it would be much appreciated....i'm a 4x4 noob, so a quick education would be great!

-electronic 4x4
-auto 4x4, 4x4hi, 4x4lo
-4.0L SOHC

 

[kennykenny]

There is no vaccum for the 4WD, it is electronically operated by the shift motor. I suggest checking that the shift motor on the transfer case is actually working. There is a write up in the tech library about servicing it. Look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TCaseshiftmotor.htm

 

[jims89broncoII]

kenny's right. its electronically operated. I have a 01' explorer and had to service mine at one time. that write up is good stuff. deff worth checking out.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Thanks guys. Read the article on the shift motor. Very interesting stuffs.

Just to make sure things are clear here....when I turn the knob to 4-low(example) it shifts to low gear, but only the rear-end is doing any work. Just after I bought the truck, I went to play in some sand with it. Had it in 4-low, but almost buried the rear end...the front was no help at all....but it WAS in low gear. The drivetrain DID shudder hard a few times when I hammered down. Not sure if that was the rear-end locking up, or the t-case trying to finnish shifting.

Just wanted to mention that...just not sure if the shift motor would still be at fault here.

 

[jims89broncoII]

it really does sound like the shift motor not engaging by everything your describing. if you find you need one let me know and ill get you mine cheap.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Ok..just wanted to make sure before I started ripping in to the shift motor.

Thanks!

 

[martin]

Is the 99 explorer not ifs with vacuum pulse hubs?
Shift it into 4 and watch if the front shaft turns.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Is the 99 explorer not ifs with vacuum pulse hubs?
Shift it into 4 and watch if the front shaft turns.

Nope All explorers i think 95? + had IFS but they never recieved PVH hubs, they are all live axles like the newer rangers. Only 98 and 99 rangers were special enough to get the famed PVH hubs.

Yeah sounds liek the shift motor or possibly something not meeting up in the Tcase? Does the truck run up high RPMs in low while going outragiously slow? if so I would say it has to do with something in the Tcase or frontend. if it drives normally then probably the motor.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I'm looking at the Ford shop manual, and it looks like the axle is always engaged. I'd say you have a problem with the t-case. The symptom for no front axle engagement redirects to transfer case diagnostics.

 

[Earl43P]

Pull that shift motor off and turn the shift selector to 4Lo manually. It's marked.

If it acts the same, you need a new transfer case.

I scored my 99 from a NJ JY because it only drove in 4Lo.

The transfer case is heavy (BW4405).

Here's all the #s off mine (same year, EB, 4.0 SOHC). Your 4WD switch should say 4WAuto, 4W Hi and 4 Low if it uses this same transfer case.

7GA (big letters)
44-05-000-008
F77A-7A195-GA

Good luck finding one. If it turns out to be the shift motor, I have one if you pay for the shipping. Shoot me a PM.

4Hi is an electrical clutch engagement in the transfer case (the Brown wire). 4Low is an actual shift in ratio PLUS the electrical clutch (sounds like your clutch is bad if you get low ratio to rear only, meaning it's NOT the shift motor).

 

[jims89broncoII]

then when you get it fixed you should do the brown wire mod. put a 2 way switch inline on the brown wire mount it in the cab and youll have 2low instead of having the front always engauged. just an idea!

 

[Earl43P]

Not to mention it'll let you roast the rear tires (by keeping the front drivetrain from engaging as it was designed to in 4Auto).








Not that I'm encouraging that......

 

[jims89broncoII]

 

[Jspafford]

If you have 4-lo it is NOT the shift motor... I can't believe the number of people who agree with one person who is wrong.

Get your own opinions people. It has to go past 4-hi to get to 4-lo, so obviously it is shifting fine.

Something is broken in the case.

 

[99offroad]

If you have 4-lo it is NOT the shift motor... I can't believe the number of people who agree with one person who is wrong.

Get your own opinions people. It has to go past 4-hi to get to 4-lo, so obviously it is shifting fine.

Something is broken in the case.

Unless it is not really going into 4 low. Take off the shift motor and manually put it in 4 low and see. its alot easier than pull out the t-case. I assume.....I know thats bad.....that its not really in 4 low just the knob is turned to it.