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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4wd only works in low range

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Expert: - 11/3/2004


Question
I have a 1995 Ford Bronco, 157000 miles. Push butoon 4wd seems not to lock but when pushing low range you can hear it lock the front hubs, and it stays in low range. Any idea what might be my problem? Any help much appreciated.

Answer
PK,

First of all, if you are trying to check out 4wd, make sure that you are not on a hard surface, dirt or asphalt.  This can put your transfer case in an extreme bind, and can destroy drive components.  I would go to an area that has loose, soft dirt, or sand, and try out 4wd, in high, and low range to see if the front end is actually locking in, or not.  This may be nothing more than a burned out indicator bulb.  If the front end doesn't work, then this could be one of several problems ranging from a bad switch to a faulty relay.  

If you want to try to trace out the problem yourself, I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.

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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