Ive done my home work but still no LOW-4X4

[exranger]

Hey all, I have been coming to this site and getting alot of info for quite sometime. The knowledge here and write up are great. I have a 95 ext cab Ranger with a 3 inch lift and I just put the motor in that came out of a 98 Exploder about 2000 miles ago. The thing runs great but I have a problem, I have looked at every post on this forum about the 4x4 low not working and still dont have mine working. I have taken the switch out of the dash, took it apart and cleaned all the contacts and checked it with my multimeter. I have taken my 4X4 module out (which is behind the stereo/vent cluster) and cleaned all the contacts on this. I took apart my shift motor to find that the motor had been beat on and the magnets were busted. So I purchased a brand new one (not re-man) and put it on. I had 4 high even with the broken magnets but not 4 low. After doing all of this new TCmotor ect I still have no 4 low. I have tried all of the brake/neutral switch stuff and still no low. Anyone go through all this and still have this problem? My module will click when it goes to 4 high but is silent when 4 low is selected. anyone know how to test this module in a 95 ranger? Please help the snow is starting to fly and 4 high is allright but with 36's I need my 4-low.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Is you truck a stick shift? Push the clutch in, leave it in neutral, foot on te brake and shift it. If its an auto I would do the same, neutral, brake, switch.

 

[exranger]

Sorry, I forgot to mention she is an Automatic. Like I said I have did the brake/neutral/flip of the switch stuff.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Have you checked to see if there is a fuse? If there is a fuse for it, it may have blown with the old motor.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Does the four low light come on at all?

 

[exranger]

Fuses are good. The 4 low light does not come on at all except flashing right after start up. The 4wd light comes on when 4 hi is selected but no 4 low light when its selected. Thanks for your guys' input

 

[triumphrider-1]

You've probably already tried this but...have you tried putting it in gear after selecting 4 low. I know mine sometimes gives fits about locking in until I start to roll.

 

[exranger]

Triumph, yes sir I have tried it, just did it again to make sure. Ok, here is a thought, from what I have read on here the brown wire that goes into the transfer case goes to a speed sensor. I dont hear anyone talk about this, what is it and what does it consist of? can the sensor in the TC go bad or is the sensor located in the TC? There are obviously a number of things going on as one selects the "4 low" option on the dash. The computer is going "ok, someone just selected 4 low....check, his foot is on the brake... check, the vehicle is in neutral....check and my speed sensor detects that we are not in motion.... check." now from those four things one of them isn't getting detected. My guess its this so called speed sensor. Only one other thing in the back of my mind...... My abs light is on which I really dont care but, I know for a fact that both abs lines (electrical) in the front that go to the sensors on the front brakes don't exist. For some reason one of those dank Kansas pack rats chewed both lines off. No kidding. so I know they dont exist, and I know its silly but I wonder if that has anything to do w/this? I am very mechanical for I have had many 4x4 toys and several different race cars in my past but am grasping for pretty much any info to help me out on this problem. Thanks to all of you for helping your info and opinions are very appreciated. And by the way MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well I would replace as for the or repair the ABS lines or wires or whatever. And as for the speed sensor it may be in the back going to the rear differential like my 99... or it could be in the transmission tail end like my 84.

 

[exranger]

Not too worried about the ABS, I hate that crap anyway and the brakes are fine. I was just wondering if it had anything to do with what the computer is reading, as for the "speed sensor" ........ My question is what is this mysterious brown wire that goes into the transfercase? I have read on here that it goes to a sensor, if so is it a closed contact sensor,mag, ect. and can it malfunction? What exactly is it? I see it mentioned (the brown wire) in a lot of posts and some claim it goes into the transfercase to a "sensor" but not one person has said what this sensor is and whats its purpose or what it consists of.

 

[Earl43P]

I'd rule out an internal transfer case shifting problem (mechanical) by removing the shift motor, manually turning the slelector to 4Lo and driving it.

If that works, you next should turn the switch to 4Lo and watch the shift motor drive to that position. If it doesn't, the module must be bad.

You've pretty much covered everything else.

I believe the brown wire is used to engage the electromagnetic coil that engages 4Hi.

4Lo is engaged by the shift motor turning. I don't think the shift motor actually moves to get into 4Hi. I could be confusing the brown wire operation with the Explorer system though.

 

[exranger]

I have yet to lock it in 4 low manually,(taking motor off and selecting 4 low on the TC) I will try that to eliminate the computer,elect motor,speed sensor.

I have checked the 4 low selection when I was installing the "new" TC motor and it never did go to the 4 low selection. So with that said it must be the module right? I am hoping so. Does anyone have one of these that will fit a 1995 ranger? Thanks for your input especially on x-mas night fellas

 

[exranger]

Oh and here is a funny for you all, My wife drives an 02 explorer. We got in it last night to leave a dinner and the weather was really bad here in MO, so I selected the 4 hi option and guess what? no 4x4!!! $#%@&$%#@&#^% it!!! I have been working on the ranger for the past few days and now my other vehicle has the same exact problem! I took the TC motor off of it this morning (christmas morning directly after unwrapping presents) cleaned it and wahla its fixed and working as it should! So sometimes when your fighting something think of me it could be worse LOL!!

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well i meant something like the ABS system isn't working so its not reading that the brakes are on or something... I don't know though...

 

[Destroyer000]

my buddy has the exact same problem in his truck.. its a 96 auto. i have a 95 that had the electric 4x4 and i just recently swapped in the manual tcase.. the old system worked. so i tried swapping tthe modular with his and i still cant get 4 low to come on his truck.. so iam leaning towards the shift motor.. only other thing i can think of is a fuse relay or maybe a break in a wire somewhere.