Whats wrong here?

[Onionswithnos]

Sorry for the low res image...

Those are my 4x4 and low range buttons, there are little lights next to each one that are supposed to light up when in each function. I press the buttons and nothing happens, am I missing something? Do I have to do anything special for them to work? Or could my 4x4 and low range panel be broken or disconnected?

The truck is a 1994 Mazda B4400 5-Speed, being that its a 5 speed is there anything special I have to do to make it work? The 4x4 worked before I bought it but now it doesn't seem to. Any advice on troubleshooting it? And if it is busted, what are my options for a manual transfer case?

Thanks guys!

 

[mhughes165]

Sorry for the low res image...

Those are my 4x4 and low range buttons, there are little lights next to each one that are supposed to light up when in each function. I press the buttons and nothing happens, am I missing something? Do I have to do anything special for them to work? Or could my 4x4 and low range panel be broken or disconnected?

The truck is a 1994 Mazda B4400 5-Speed, being that its a 5 speed is there anything special I have to do to make it work? The 4x4 worked before I bought it but now it doesn't seem to. Any advice on troubleshooting it? And if it is busted, what are my options for a manual transfer case?

Thanks guys!

truck usually needs to be in neutral or drive inorder for 4wd to engage..... if ur tryin in park then thats why

 

[Onionswithnos]

Its a 5 Speed, so do I have to be in neutral and wait for it to click in?

 

[93_RangerSC]

i always do it if im in neutral
or your electronic switch motor thing could have gone bad if its not used for a long time...mine was like that cuz the guy that had it only used it during huntin season and he hardly ever had to use it anyways. a new motor costs about...$130 if i remember correctly

 

[Onionswithnos]

I haven't owned a truck since my 1977 Ford Ranchero, so all this transfer case stuff is freakin me out, I've been all about fast cars LOL They're 2 very different animals

 

[c_note]

some manuals say to press the clutch also for it to engage. you might wanna slowly go in reverse for it to catch as well. afterwards, if the light dont light up, get out and try to sping your driveshaft and see if its engaged. it might just be that the light went bad so dont go buying anything just yet.

 

[MAKG]

It should go into 4HI under any conditions. Even while driving down the road in gear.

As for low range, clutch down, dead stop, and foot on the brake.

It can VERY easily be disconnected at the pushbutton switches when removing the instrument cluster, if not paying attention.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

It should go into 4HI under any conditions. Even while driving down the road in gear.

As for low range, clutch down, dead stop, and foot on the brake.

It can VERY easily be disconnected at the pushbutton switches when removing the instrument cluster, if not paying attention.

Never thought I'd be saying it... but...

What he said.

If it fails to go into 4hi under any conditions, it's most likely the shift motor on the t-case (usually they can be pulled off an the contacts cleaned good), but it could be a wiring issue somewhere or the 4x4 "computer" gone bad. Check all of the fuses (under the dash on the drivers side and under the hood on the passenger side near the battery) for ones that are blown.

 

[Jorley]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14

 

[Kona]

ALL STOP!!! I would check this before doing the other diagnostics.

No click no light is probably the shift motor. There is a bushing that the lever that actually shifts the transfer case rests against when in 2 wheel drive that decays and lets the lever go past its stop point. The sensor can not "see" it so it does not allow the transfer case to do anything. The link here explains how to fix this particular problem. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

 

[ditchdoc77]

auto hi/lo button

This is my second '92 Ranger. The first had manual shift, and this one has push button. So far so good, it still works. Mine will go into 4hi anytime it is pressed. kinda wierd thing i do, is always put in nutral when i do. i don't know why, but something about doing that makes me feel like it will engauge easier. Here is the really wierd thing, it will only go in or out of 4 Lo at a dead stop, clutch pressed to the floor, and in 1st gear. that's is why i remember it so easily. it goes against everything that feels normal.
I picked up one of those switches at a junk yard while i was searching for vents that actually move up/down, for about ten bucks just incase. check your fuses first. and that other thread 'bout checking the un "seen" lever; sounds like a logical solution. i just cant open the website to check it out. anyway, have fun with it. and good luck.

 

[Onionswithnos]

I appreciate all the advice guys, I'm thinking of putting it up on the lift and having someone see which wheels spin LOL if the switches dont work looks like I'll be doing a lot of testing with my voltmeter

 

[Onionswithnos]

ALL STOP!!! I would check this before doing the other diagnostics.

No click no light is probably the shift motor. There is a bushing that the lever that actually shifts the transfer case rests against when in 2 wheel drive that decays and lets the lever go past its stop point. The sensor can not "see" it so it does not allow the transfer case to do anything. The link here explains how to fix this particular problem. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

LOL Looks like Ford just threw a high torque window regulator motor on the transfer case =P

 

[Ranger44]

I would seroiusly just go step by step here. These shift motors aren't as complicated or horrible as people make them out to be. I'd just check all connections, fuses, relays first. Then move onto the control module:

Courtesy of 4x4 Junkie:
If all the fuses are good, the next step is to run the 4x4 module self diagnostic. The 4x4 module is located behind the driver’s side rear jump seat on super-cab models, but as far as the other locations I don’t really know. This module will have three connectors going to it – one will be a pig tail, the other two will be located on the right side of it (side towards the front of the truck). These two connectors must be removed to diagnose the module. With the key in the off position, remove these two connectors from the module. Next, turn the key on with the engine off. On top of the module is a white rectangular button located next to a red LED….push the button and watch the LED.
a. If it flashes, this indicates the module is working properly. Go to the next step

Now if it is the motor, it can easily be cleaned to work again. Most of the time it's the factory grease hardening on the disc. This is how most of the time the brushes get "lost". If it does not know where it's going, it won't shift. I've ran mine for a few years with no problems. Yes, they can be a pain, yes they can be made to work, and stay working. The main cause is not using the 4x4.

 

[Jspafford]

There are also indicator lights to the right of the steering wheel that say, 4X4 and LOW RANGE.

If the round lights next to the switch don't light and neither do those, then it's something else. Most likely the shift motor.