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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4x4 LOW NOT ENGAGING

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Expert: - 5/25/2006


Question
Hi, this is Diego writing from Lima, Peru. My vehicle is a 2003 Explorer Sport Trac 4x4 that I imported to Peru without knowing it had been flooded. Because of the damage done by the water, I have replaced the PCM, anti theft module and the 4x4 control module.    The thing is that the truck engages 4x4 HI perfectly. However, it does not engage 4x4 LOW. Needless to say, before putting the switch on the LOW position, I bring the truck to a complete stop and put it in neutral, but nothing happens. If the 4x4 HI is already engaged and I try to engage LOW, the dash board light (4x4 HI) turns off and the truck remains in 4x4 HI. If I move the switch directly from 2WD to 4x4 LOW, both lights remain off and the truck remains in 2WD.  When the 4x4 HI engages I hear a clicking sound from the 4x4 control module. This does not happen when I try to engage LOW.     What could the problem be?    Thanks in advance.

Answer
Diego,

Sounds like you have a bad relay, or solenoid (control module).  

I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual, and check out the transfer case section.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20, and 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 yourself.

Another thing to try, would be to have the transmission, transfer case, and differentials serviced, if you haven't already.  This is simply changing out all of the fluids.  There is a slight chance that there are some components that have gotten silt from the flooding in them, and are binding, or are causing some drag on the shifting mechanism.

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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