where is the ESCM?

[phaestos]

My 96xlt won't shift into 4by. 4x4 works fine if I shift the transfer case manually
with the shifter motor off. The motor is clean inside, works when you hook up 12v to it. When I test for power coming into the shift motor, i get nada.

Up in the cab, checked the 4x4 switch, it appears to have all the necessary
resistances etc. When the 4x4 worked a year ago, I could hear relays click
when you flipped the switch, and I don't hear that now.

It seems to me that I should check the relays, or the "electronic shift control module", but I've been looking and not finding them. It might help if I actually knew what I was looking for.
Does this sound like the right procedure for a 96? I'd hate to keep searching and find out in two weeks that 96's don't have ESCM's.

 

[mhughes165]

if i recall it should be behind the radio area of your dash, smack the dash with ur fist a few times and see if it starts working, sometimes they get stuck and need a few light slams to make them cooperate

 

[phaestos]

I tried smacking the dash, but it's a quality item..Been behind the radio before, and I see the big box, the GEM, I think. Further in and lower down is another likely looking box, mebbe this is it? I know , in the end, I'll bite the bullet and start chasing the shifter motor wires where they come through the floor, I'm sure the module I'm looking for is along there somewhere. I just wish one time they would make this a little easier.
Oh well, I guess if it was easy, everyone would do it.

 

[phaestos]

Man o man have I ever been doing a lot of reading about tcase shift motors on the forums..
Skimming through hundreds of threads , looking for a certain bit of information,
or maybe someone with the exact same model/year..

ESCM's everywhere, behind the jump seat, under the kick panel, passenger side, behind the radio, why, I think I'll put one on the dashboard where everyone can see...

The WORST is smarmy bas*ards who chime in with some of their wisdom regarding their
own manually shifted transfer case. Take your ball and go home..

So I'm still having to do a bit of digging around behind the radio, I think this is the right spot for my 96 , just have to sort out these big clumps of wire, poke about with the test light, cause something is not letting 12v's get down to my T case .

Anywayz, thanks again, all you ranger types who post all this info, leaving it around where anyone can read it. It helps me a lot, and I'm sure it's the same for a lot of others like me out there

 

[redneckmustang]

The shift control module should be behind and below the a/c controls. it is a little black box about 3" to 4" big. check for power to the shift control module for the Gem. If there is no signal from the gem then the gem will need replaced.