Stuck in 4 wheel drive?

This sounds like the encoder needs to be replaced here is the instructions in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

I had to hit the motor with a hammer it unstuck it,, then replaced the encoder last summer to fix it.

Hi, the four wheel drive was not working when I got it. It was in two wheel drive and would not shift into four wheel drive high or low.

When starting the truck only the four wheel drive low light would come on and then go off no flashing. The four wheel drive high light would not come on at all. All four wheel drive fuses inside and under the hood were good.

I replaced the transfer case control module with a new one. Started the truck both the four wheel drive low and high light came on, the four wheel drive high light goes out and the four wheel drive low light stays on, no flashing.

It has shifted into four wheel drive low and that is all. Now it will not shift out of four wheel drive low.

To further complicate the issue the front wheels do not engage in four wheel drive although the transmission is obvious in low range as the rpm are through the roof at twenty mph. I am guessing the auto hubs are shot? At this point i am not worried about the four wheel drive but need to get the transmission out of low range just to drive it.

I thought the shift motor had gone bad and replaced that also. I can shift the transfer case by hand, but the new motor has again shifted back into low range.

No change the truck is stuck in low range and will not shift out. I have tried shifting into neutral, driving in reverse etc.

Any suggestions any has to get this thing out of low range or what else could be causing this would be appreciated.

To me it sounds like, the switch is bad which is common with these cars but to confirm the failure let's check for the trigger signal from the switch to the system.

Here is a guide and a transfer case wiring diagrams to get the problem fixed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below).

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken

I switched my 2002 Explorer SPORT into 4x4 hi . She shifted in fine then when I went to shift back to 2wd the light on the dash went out but the truck is still in 4x4. I tried putting it in rev and backing up, no luck. Switched it back into 4x4 lights on dash didn't come back on.
I have replaced the dash switch but still have the same issue. Also have check the fuses under the hood all are fine.
Is there anything else to try before just replacing the shift motor on the transfer case? Relay I am missing or something?
Also, the haynes manual doesn't cover changeing this motor and I have not been able to find a Chilton's on the Explore SPORT. Is there anything to it besides unbolting the old one and bolting up a new one?

This is usually the 4x4 shift motor on the back of the tranfer case. It looks like this.

Here is how to test it to see if the switch and module is good. If you need more let me know. Now you will have to right click on the instructions and save pic and then print it ok.

Let me know if you need more ok. You will need a digital multi meter to do this ok. Thanks.

Hi,
first thanks,
I can't get the picture to download in anyway so i can read it or print it readable. Have had the computer guy here at work try and he can't either. He asked if you could send the page to me directly.
[email protected]

Also, is there anything to look out for when removing the motor? I mean is there a shaft or anything that might move etc.?

Ok I have sent it to you from my yahoo let me know if you need more ok. Thanks

Could someone send me this test procedure please. I`m having the same problem. Thank you.
[email protected]

Can someone please send me this diagram. I can't print it.

Hello! I have a 2000 Ford Explorer and the four wheel drive i believe is stuck on. It wont switch to auto and it flashes 4x4 on high and low on dash. Whats this mean? Also would that make the car suck gas, and vibrate on bottom of car? Thanks

Hi:
It sounds like it's in 4wd. Yes it would cause more gas use and could cause a vibration. It sound like the actuator is bad. It's on the transfer case. Unplug it and see if you get power to wiring. If you do, replace the actuator.

Joe
NOTE: Using 4wd on a dry surface will cause damage to the system.

i can hear the shift motor shift from low to high but not back to auto/ neutral , i had to take front drive shaft out to be able to drive it what could be the problem ? its stuck in 4 wheel drive.

check the actuator on the transfer case for operation. It is somewhat common for them to go bad.

My ford explorer 98 eddie bauer is stuck in 4wd,how do i get it out? I PLAY WITH THE SWITCH AND NOTHING.what could be wrong with it?

please help!!!!!

Hello,

This is a common problem when the transfer case shift actuator jams up and needs to be replaced. Here is a diagram and instructions on how to replace the actuator. You might need to raise the car up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

I recently noticed that after someone drove my Explorer, that the 4wd low light was on. When I noticed this, i looked at the switch, and it was in auto (the 4wd was turned off). Now the light is off and it still feels as if it is still engaged. A friend had me try to powerbrake it for another problem and it would not even budge the tires. Plus my gas milage went down about 100 miles per tank. There is also a big loss of power when accellorating. I've been told many things that "could" be wrong with it, but, no for sure answers. HELPPPP!!!

Have it scanned for codes.there will be a trouble code stored int he PCM pertaining to the 4wd system ifit isnt working properly.Get back with the codes.Sen quite a few of the motors on the t-case go bad,but get it scanned and we will go from there

You might just losen the shift motor on transfer case and wiggle it and see if it will come out of low range. Do NOT pull it out, just wiggle it back and forth. because there is a problem getting it back in. I had same problem with my 98. This worked for me, and no more problems with it for last 3 years. Seems something will stick inside motor and this will free it up.

My explorer is stuck in 4 wheel drive low. how do I get it out of 4 wheel drive

If you have an explorer, you should have electric fourwheel drive. If you do, you can manually change back into two wheel high. If you'll lool under your truck, on the transfer case, there is a servo(electric motor) attached to it. If you remove the entire servo assembly from the tranfer case, you will see a small knob protruding from the transfer case. It should be sealed, so don't worry about fluid leaking out. It should have 2h 4h n and 4l written in the metal around the knob. You can take a pair of wire pliers and turn the knob until it points back to 2h. But I strongly recommend getting the problem fixed immediately. It could be that the servo is bad, it could be a bad switch in the dash, or it could be the four wheel drive computer has gone bad. You need a mechanic to check to make sure before you replace any parts. Hope I was some help.

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD with automatic transmission. It has 58,000 miles. This car has been great and I have had no issues with it whatsoever. Last winter I needed to use the 4wd to get to work. Since then, however, the car has great difficulty with turns. (It used to literally turn on a dime.) There are no strange engine sounds, but the tires do squeal sometimes when I am turning as the wheels seem to be locked. Can it be stuck in 4wd? If so, is there anything I can do about it or do I need to take it to my Ford dealer? Thanks!

Did you try shifting the lever? Is the 4X4 light lit?
and I read a TSB in wich the size of the tires all around must be equal..if the rears or fronts are different sizes resolve that first!

There is no lever. It is knob that turns from 2wd to 4wd low to 4wd high. (There is no light.) Even though I turned the knob back to 2wd, it is like it is still in 4wd. The tires are all the same, but I could probably use some new ones by the end of this summer.

Thank you so much! I checked the fuses and could not see that they had blown. I do have to admit that I wasn't real sure what a blown fuse would look like, though. I did disconnect the wires you spoke of and there has been a major improvement. There is still some minor wheel locking and tire squealing, but nothing like before. Any other suggestions are most welcome. And, thanks again so very, very much.

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with 170k Miles with the 4.0 OHV. My Question , When i take off From a Stop SOMETIMES it feels slugish.Almost as if it is stuck in 2nd gear. It doesnt feel like a transmission slip.But it DOESNT happen all the time.. SOMETIMES i can take off right away with no problem. Also SOMETIMES when i am driving at 25-35 MPH it almost feels like it was put in Neutral, The RPM will rise but it Doesnt feel engaged untill i let go of the gas pedel. as soon as i let go the rpms will drop and i will push the pedel again and its back engaged like nothing happend. it might happen once or twice durring a days driving. there is no noise, no clunks, clicks, jerks. I havent had any trouble above 40 or so MPH. My Brother works at ford and said it might be the transfer case but he lives 300 miles away so its hard for him to know for sure with out looking at it. I had a similar problem 6 months ago but what happen was it felt the same way. AS if it was stuck in 2nd when taking off at a stop. but it was much worse. about 2 days after it started it completly stoped moving. When shifting from park to drive you could feel the transmission engage just like it would any other time same with all gears, however it still would not move, So my brother rebuilt the transmission and the transfer case.. he didnt fine anything wrong with the transmission but he did find that the clutch in the transfercase was really wore out. PLEASE HELP What is Wrong, Transfer Case, Transmission, Speed Sensors, Computer...PLEASE HELP THANK YOU~JUSTIN

Thank you, I will try that and see what happens, another problem that might be connect to whats happening is that the speedo Bouces up and down, i cant tell how fast im going, i forgot to mention this in my question. The Speedo started around the same time everything else did,if i can remember correctly. I will Keep Posted Thanks!

I was under the impression that NORMALY transmission faults will throw the Check engine light on the exporer but i havnt had any lights. however the Overdrive light was flasing once, but i shut the truck off and started again and it hasnt happened since.but havent been driving it alot.. A couple miles to the gas station, a couple times a week.