Four Wheel Drive Problems 1996 B400

[JRS]

Hi Guys,
I have a well driven and loved 96 B4000. Never had an issue with my 4 wheel drive untill now. I have manual hubs, and a switch on the dash. For some reason, I am locked into 4 wheel drive Low. My 4 wheel drive lights flash on the dashboard. My buddy gave me what I thought was a fix. Remove both battery cables for a few minutes. Touch them together, and then replace them. This was supposed to reset the computers onboard. Well, it worked the first time for about 24 hours. I deliver pizzza in it and was using the 4 wheel high all night untill it went bad again. It appears to be locked into 4 low. I tried the battery cable thing twice. No luck this time. Any ideas out there??? I really appreciate it.
John

 

[PanamaExpat]

Welcome to TRS.

Could be several issues. I would recommend doing a quick search as it has been covered many times here on the forums. After you get a bit of an idea as to what it could be give us some symptoms and we will try to get you sorted out.

Could be something as simple as dirty connections on the shift motor plug. Or something more serious like shift motor needs gone through.

 

[brinker88]

1. Check the little module behind the rear seat. There's a reset button on it.

2. You need to be in Neutral to get out of 4lo

3. Try backing up.

4. It sounds like the wiring to your t-case motor or the motor itself has taken a shit. Climb under the truck and check it out.

 

[twaranger]

Definitely check the shift module. My '94 did something similar; it just wouldn't go into low. After I checked everything I could, I replaced the shift motor....problem solved. I even took the shift motor off before I purchased the new one to make sure the case would shift manually (with a custom wrench).....I sure wish there was a Neutral button on the dash.

 

[JRS]

Thanks for the replys

I'll give all of these a try and let you know.

 

[adsm08]

Try cleaning the shift motor before replacing anything. I have gotten away with that before.

Read this and it will tell you how:

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

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

There is a bushing inside the shift motor that is the travel limiter for the worm gear. That bushing gets wore out, which let's the motor pass the last position sensor, 2wd or 4lo. The computer gets lost and flashes the lights.

There is a free/ temporary fix, which involves repositioning the bushing.

Or you could fix it properly, and replace the Encoder motor, aka "shift motor".
A remanufactured motor sells for as cheap a $60 if you know somebody.