New from Canada, 4x4 question

[Ruttinbuck]

Hey guys nice to be here, I have a 2002 ranger 4.0L 4x4 automatic, I’m having trouble with switching into 4 wheel drive. When sitting over night I can turn the knob and nothing happens, I checked to see if I was getting power to the actuator motor and there was none. So I started checking fuses all good, but when I removed the #5 fuse in the panel by the drivers door and put it back in I heard a click, and it went into 4 wheel drive. It worked good all day, left it sit over night and no 4x4 , removed #5 fuse again heard a click and it went into 4x4 again. Is there some relay I need to be looking at ? If so where would it be ? Has anyone else seen this problem? Thanks

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm just brainstorming here. So bear with me. @RonD and others will have a moreassured answer.

When you remove and reinstall that fuse, you are resetting part of the control circuit. The gearbox on the end of your shift motor has several sets of contacts inside. I would suspect dirty contacts or perhaps they need a slight adjustment. I would recommend cycling the shift motor a bunch of times to help clean the contacts. It may be necessary to take the assembly apart, clean with alcohol or contact cleaner. Regrease the work gear and reassemble.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thank you for your reply, so that would require removal of the shift motor on the transfer case I presume. I will try cycling it a few times first lol it’s really too cold here for that job just yet. Haha

 

[RonD]

That would make sense if the 4x4CM(control module) has an issue
Fuse #5 in cab fuse box is full time 12volts for 4x4CM, so unplugging it "resets" the 4x4CM
Turning key off doesn't

Why it needs to be reset is an unknown

In a 2001 to 2003 the 4x4CM is behind passenger side kick panel, in 2004 and up its behind the radio

These were a Known issue, higher percentage of failures, not 100% by any means but higher than one would expect
Ford redesigned them in 2006, and the new design does NOT work with earlier Rangers, but there were still some issues, not as many but not bullet proof either

You can just keep resetting it until it fails outright, but I would get a replacement to have on hand

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thanks for your reply, when I reset the fuse that’s where the clicking sound is coming from, passenger side. That would be easier to get at and change than the shift motor in this weather. Lol

 

[DILLARD000]

Does sound like 4x4ConModul is going out; both this & 4x4ShiftMotor are notorious failure items.
Believe your 2002 Ranger uses same 4x4ConModul & 4x4ShiftMotor, as my 2001 SportTrac; had to replace both in last several years.
Part numbers & search links:
4x4ConModul = Ford# 1L54-7h417-aa\ab\ac\ad\ae
4x4ShiftMotor = Ford# 1f24-17645-a\b or CarDone# 48-202 or Dorman# 600-926
Click here for more info.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thanks for your reply, sounds like it could be that control module because when it’s not working there’s no clicking down there, when I remove the fuse and replace it i can here a clicking. It seems to work fine after that until it sits over night, if it was the shift motor you would think the clicking would still be there but just not going into 4x4. Wish I had one I could try before I bought one I would imagine they are pricy. Lol I will look into that. thanks again

 

[RonD]

And just a Heads up about shift motors

They fail from DISUSE not over use
The electric motor brushes stick or rotor gets corrosion
The contacts and/or contact plate gets corroded(position sensor)
From just Sitting for months and months

Just as general maintenance, shift from 2WD to 4high and then 4low, and then back to 2WD, while sitting in the driveway once a month
This will keep the shift motor parts clean and working for many years

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thanks for the advice, good to know, glad I came to this forum. I posted the same info on a different forum before I found this one, and never got one response. Thanks again guys!

 

[bobbywalter]

What condition are the fuse and contacts in.?.

Maybe Swap the fuse or tweak it for more solid contact.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

All the fuses are good and clean, no issues, even tried dielectric grease,I’m leaning towards the control module getting bad. No corrosion on any of the plugs, the module seems to be a common problem for these rangers as was suggested. Thanks for your reply much appreciated

 

[DrWho42]

hi there! welcome to the forums!

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Thank you, great to be here, lots of great info.

 

[Ruttinbuck]

Just wanted to give an update, I changed the 4x4 control module and that cured my problem. So again thanks for all the advice Much appreciated.