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4X4 wont work?

Tiny
SOLFTTAILBIKER
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Enter your question.1994 ford explore 4x4 wont work even when
the 4x4 light is on. Push button
Friday, January 7th, 2011 AT 1:46 AM

32 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Check the wiring at the 4wd actuator on the transfer case. Make sure it is clean, tight, not corroded. Make sure it is getting power. If it is, remove the actuator and check it for operation.
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Sunday, February 6th, 2011 AT 3:19 AM
Tiny
AUDIOMASTER2001
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
The 4x4 on my explorer will not work at all. I have replaced the transfer case motor and I have a hot wire at the pushbutton but it will not light up or engage any ideas
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Is there power getting to the switch? Have you checked the relay under the hood?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AUDIOMASTER2001
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I do have a hot at the switch befor I replaced the trans motor I could tap it and it would go into 4x4 since I replaced the motor it has not went into 4x4 at all and the motor is new
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HARTBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
When I push the 4 wheel drive button nothing happens. It won't engage. What could be the problem. Please advise.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Hi:
What you need to do is check to see if there is power to the 4wd actuator on the transfer case. If there is, remove the actuator and check for function. Chances are it is bad. This isn't an uncommon problem.

Joe
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NOLTING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 167,596 MILES
When I push the button to engage 4wd, any turning at any speed is jerky. And I don't mean just a little jerk, these jerks hurt my neck because of the intensity.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Do you have the same size tires on all 4 wheels? This drastically affects the 4wd operation. Let us know. Feedback and votes are greatly appreciated
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NOLTING
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
All tires are the same size and just replaced in July.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Then I would suggest checking the u joints at the front wheels first, then check the front drive shaft u joints.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
It sounds like it is engaging in 4 wheel low. 4 wheel high wouldn't jerk as bad on dry pavement, but it would jerk. It is possible that the engagement shaft in the transfer case is broken. When this happens the shift forks don't always disengage. The other option is that the high/low shift fork in the transfer case is broken.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXPLORERMAN548
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
Do not listen to the man above me, I have a 94 lifted explorer with 6 inches of lift, after my hubs broke the first time which are complete garbage from ford.I went on the forum and everyone said to switch to manual hubs. So I went to napa and bought them, which they have instock with the conversion kit. I swapped them on which took 15 min. They work great, to engage them you put the car in park or neutral get out of the car turn them to lock, and then put the car in 4x4 mode, then put the car in the gear setting you wish.I do have a electric transfer case and I have no problems the best invest ment ive made on my truck. When you go into napa tell them you are looking for a set of warn manual locking hubs for a explorer if you have a 91-94 you have the dana 35 axle in the front, and make sure you tell them that. Also ask for the conversion kit. Out the door your looking at 220
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
First try to apply to the original topic to state your opinion.

And secondly I agree with you. First thing I do with any vehicle I acquire I switch to manual, I don't mind getting out of the vehicle to switch them off or on, may eat up a bit more of gas if you forget to unlock them, but its one of my pet peeves.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RON WALDHERR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
I have automatic four wheel drive on my 1994 ford exployer. When I put it in four wheel drive, the front drive line turns and the front axel turns but the wheels are not engaged. It also makes a clicking sound when you put it in four wheel drive. Sounds like it's coming from the front end. What could it be?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
B-COM
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I would look at the automatic front hubs.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GODBEAR839
  • MECHANIC
  • 77 POSTS
The Hubs on those are notorious for being weak and breaking your best bet would be a good set of manual hubs.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JESSILYNN32
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
Computer problem
1994 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 1994 For Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition, it has a push button for the 4 wheel drive on the front dash. A few months ago when I pushed the button for the 4 wheel drive the light would'nt come on and it would not go into 4wheel dr. I want to take it to a mechanic to get it fixed but since they are not sure what it is either they can't tell me how much it would be, I have a limited income so that's why I'm worried about how much the bill would be. Whatever advice you could give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank You, Jessica
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Jessica:

Chances are the actuator on the transfer case is bad. What you need to do is check to see if there is power to the actuator when the 4wd button is pushed.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANGELO DESANDO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,898 MILES
I have a 1994 ford explorer 4x4 when I press the button for four wheel drive the light comes on but the four wheel drive is not working.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Check to make sure there is power to the actuator on the transfer case (most common problem is a bad actuator). If there is power, remove the actuator and check it for operation. If no power, check the wiring harness and check the plug for corrosion. From there, check wiring from there back to the relay and the switch to locate where the power is lost.
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)

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