2001 Explorer Sport 4WD not engaging

[DEANARD]

2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD - the 4 wheel drive will not engage nor activate the 4WD lights. Box under right kick-panel does click twice when switched from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive. Wondering if there would be any relay or fuses that could cause this problem. Any ideas?

[mmerlinn]

Originally Posted by DEANARD

2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD - the 4 wheel drive will not engage nor activate the 4WD lights. Box under right kick-panel does click twice when switched from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive. Wondering if there would be any relay or fuses that could cause this problem. Any ideas?

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[pat29]

i have the same vehical, the same year too. Its the shift motor. I checked everything, from the switch in the pannel to the switch on the tranny. Its the shift motor. It cost 300 bucks if you do it yourself.

[buck2850]

I have had the same problem with a 92 Eddie Baure Explorer that I had .... I now have a 99 Sport.

The 92 that I had would only work in 4wd high ,and would not hook up in low range.A transmission mechanic told me that the drive which operates the transfer from high,to low range runs on a worm gear.If you do not periodically run the tranny through the ranges, the worm will load up with grease which becomes hard ... then the worm will not allow the drive to travel, then your problems begin.

You will most likely have to invest money in a mechanic to have this corrected

[Cuda_Jim]

The part you most likely need is called Transfer case shift motor. It's on the back of the transfer case.

A-1 CARDONE Part # 48202...... $58 + $25 core

[xpsport]

I also have a 2001 sport and it has stopped going into low range only. The high range engages as always but not low. No light, not clicks under dash. I believe I am following proper procedure by being at a full stop with trans in neutral and foot on brake, but no 4x4 low. Anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thanks...

[Cuda_Jim]

'Drive -Line windup' will cause the transfer-case to 'hang', especially the ESOF (Electric Shift On the Fly). The shift motor is not powerful enough to overcome the forces between the front and rear drive lines attempting to mesh together.

Rule out the shift motor: Place the trans in neutral and let the vehicle coast to a stop (no brakes)...then shift it. No joy?
Shift it with the vehicle still rolling...... as slow as possible. This should not cause t-case damage but you may feel a clunk. All ESOF 4x4's will not allow the t-case to shift when it senses wheel travel or input/output shaft rotation.

Windup is caused by some sort of binding....wheels slightly turned, u-joint(s), tire(s) grossly under-inflated or of a different diameter, drive shaft slip joints, wheel bearings, even a brake dragging will cause it. The older the vehicle the more binding due to normal wear.

[xpsport]

Thank you Cuda Jim for such a fast response.

I tried every combination of your suggestions I could think of today. No brakes, rolling to a stop, forward, reverse, not stepping on brake, stepping on brake, shifting while still rolling very slow, waiting for complete stop, etc, etc. but no good. It will go into 4x4 high any time, but not into 4x4 low no matter what. No clicks under dash, no 4x4 light for low. High is fine but no low.
According to manual it must be in neutral with brake on and vehicle fully stopped to engage 4x4 low, but when I move the switch to 4x4 low, nothing happens, no matter what combination of things I have tried.

[Cuda_Jim]

xpsport, No problem....
It's more than likely you need a new shift motor but you should have it scanned for codes even though the CEL is not lit before you start throwing parts at it. It could be a sensor or a simple adjustment but the pinpoint tests for this symptom requires the use of the scanner capable of reading the Body Control Module for "B" codes and monitor the PID's.

[xpsport]

I have new somewhat mysterious news to report. Before paying a ton to a shop for a diagnosis, since the problem may be electrical, I pulled and checked every fuse that I thought could have anything to do with 4x4 operation. I pulled each fuse one at a time, checked it and tried engaging 4x4 low after reinserting each. When I put the 15A fuse for “4x4 Module” back in place and tried low range, it engaged! (in neutral with brake depressed and not moving) I swapped that 15A fuse with another one for the hazard flashers as an experiment, and both still work so I guess I’ll keep checking 4x4 low engagement and see what happens next, if it keeps working, or if it stops and then works again after pulling and reinserting the "4x4 Module" fuse. I’ll repost with what I find next. In the meantime if there are any further suggestions, I would still appreciate any feedback on what might be going on and how to remedy. Thank you…