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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/1994 Ford Exlorer stuck in 4 wheel drive

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Expert: - 1/17/2011


Question
My w 4 wheel dive has worked fine. My son got the car stuck out back in snow and mud.  He pushed the button for 4 wheel drive and the light went on.  He got the car out after shoveling, but now it won't go back to 2 wheel drive.  Both lights are on snd the hubs are sticking out of the front tires, but when you push the button, it won't go off.  Have tried the back up thing, but the lights won't go off. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?  Thanks

Answer
Donna,

First of all, I'm not sure what you are saying when you tell me that the hubs are sticking out of the front tires.  If you have selectable hubs, you can drive the Explorer on pavement by turning the hubs out.  Since you have a switchable 4-wheel drive, I doubt that you have selectable hubs.  

One thing you need to avoid, is driving it in 4-wheel drive on the pavement.  This will lock up the transfer case and can tear up running gear.

It sounds like you may have a shorted switch or wiring.
 
I would get it towed to a reputable transmission shop as soon as possible.

Or, if you wish to check this out yourself, (this could be anything from a bad switch, faulty module on the transfer case, wet or broken wire, or a bad ground)  I would purchase a repair manual and a test light or multimeter and start chasing out wires looking for an open or shorted circuit.

It's almost impossible to tell you an exact fix without looking at the vehicle in person.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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