4 by 4 not working

Tiny
LUIS PARADA
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
The 4 by 4 is not working. What can I check nothing happen when I turn to low or high.
Friday, November 21st, 2008 AT 4:03 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,395 POSTS
Assuming all fuses are good, check for power passing through the switch. If yes, check for power at the shift motor. If yes, the motor is probably bad.
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Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
GABASTEELE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
We just bought a used 2001 ford ranger 4x4 and the four wheel drive isn't working. We checked the fuses and they look good but when we removed the 2x4-4x4 hi/lo switch is doesn't look right. What do you think is the problem and how do we fix it?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUTCH SHULL
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Do the lights come on. That type of system uses vacuum to apply the front hubs. Common concern vac supply to front hubs.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GMILDAWG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
Transmission problem
2001 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 75.000 miles

My four wheel drive does not work when I flip the switch.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Get a look at the vacuum connection down at the front wheels, The tubes get a rust build up and can cause a vacuum leak where the rubber hose attaches to.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSMITH80
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I cannot get the four wheel drive to engage. There is no power to the turn button switch, all fuses I have checked. Is there any other fuses I may not be aware of if not than where should I start next as far as troubleshooting problem?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check fuse 13 under hood then scan for codes.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,941 POSTS
No power goes through the switch. It is just resistors that tell the 4X4 module which mode you selected. Fuses - 13 in the under hood box, 5, 28 in the dash box.

Be sure to check that you are getting vacuum to the lines on the front steering knuckles when you select 4X4 a very common issue with Fords with the auto hubs is vacuum leaks that prevent the hubs from engaging. Not hard to test but can be a PIA to repair depending on where the leak is. If you are lucky it is just a bad hose.

Jack the vehicle up, place it on jack stands and block the wheels.

Disconnect both vacuum lines from the steering knuckles. Plug one line and install a vacuum gauge on the other. Start the engine and select 4X4 mode. Does the gauge jump up to engine vacuum? Yes > next test. No > repair leak or solenoid valve and retest.

Next test >
Connect the Right vacuum line to the knuckle. Start engine and select 4X4. Rotate the right tire forward/backwards while watching the axle shaft. The shaft should turn with the tire if the hub is engaging. If it does then disconnect the line, cap it and do the same test on the left side.

If both engage and operate properly then you need to check if the transfer case is shifting. But I would bet it is a bad hub or seal on one or both sides. Very common.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUIS PARADA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
Transmission problem
2001 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 85k miles

Some how 4 by 4 is not working at all, inside you turn the swthich on to low or high 4by4, and nothing happen, ligth on dasboard not came on, and dint hear anything on the front shaft, didnt click in, the 4by 4.
Snow is about t o come and I need to fix this.
Thank you all.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN12881
  • MEMBER
  • 336 POSTS
I am not a 4X4 expert, but sometimes you need to engage 4X4 while driving, then stop and reverse to engage
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANMAC03
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 01 ranger and the 4 wheel drive doesn't work and the switch doesn't have any power coming to it any ideals
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUTCH SHULL
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
There is a 4x4 module behind glove box common for those to go bad.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLOWRY16
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
My 4 wheel drive will not work. The light Dosent come on when I turn the switch. How do I fix that by myself
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
The most common problem is the 4wd actuator itself. It is an electrical motor on the transfer case that goes bad. Check that first to see if there is power to it and let me know what you find.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 7:31 PM (Merged)

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