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  #1  
Old 01-29-2015, 06:39 AM
Causey842 Causey842 is offline
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Default Ranger stuck in 4WD

Hi Everyone,

First time I had this happen, was hoping someone could give me advice. I have 02' Ranger stuck in 4WD with no light. Last night I drove home in 4WD high and left it in 4WD because the roads havent been great. Well last night we had -10 temps (and still this morning). I turned it on and there was no 4WD light on and when I shift it back and forth between 2WD and 4WD the light does not switch and it does not disengage from 4WD. Any suggestions? I am wondering if the freezing temps had something to do with it?

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 01-30-2015, 10:48 AM
shadowmoose shadowmoose is offline
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Default Re: Ranger stuck in 4WD

If the motor failed you can always go down to your transfer case, take the motor off, and turn the knob manually to get back to 2wd.
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  #3  
Old 02-01-2015, 12:08 PM
GreatDane GreatDane is offline
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Default Re: Ranger stuck in 4WD

Possibly the shifter motor! I am in the process of refurbishing/rebuilding it and ill have a rebuild diary up in about 1-2 weeks so FRF can have its own

My did not switch either and after pulling the motor I say it was stuck i 4x4 HI!
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  #4  
Old 02-01-2015, 01:18 PM
Whisky Whisky is offline
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Default Re: Ranger stuck in 4WD

Could also be the 4x4 computer behind the passenger side kick panel. That's what happened to mine. If there isn't any lights on the dash I bet that's what it is. Local dealer wanted 400. for the part, Got at a dealer online for 134.
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Old 02-02-2015, 12:37 AM
GreatDane GreatDane is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whisky View Post
Could also be the 4x4 computer behind the passenger side kick panel. That's what happened to mine. If there isn't any lights on the dash I bet that's what it is. Local dealer wanted 400. for the part, Got at a dealer online for 134.
To my knowledge the electrical part of the 4x4 switch system is the last to defective..

To OP: Have you had something crawl underneath and listen to the shift motor if its try's to engage ? If nothing happens and no sound at all I would go through the electrical system with a voltmeter..

But, my penny is on the shift motor and some bushings inside so the computer can't register the position of the shift motor
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  #6  
Old 02-02-2015, 01:10 AM
Whisky Whisky is offline
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Default Re: Ranger stuck in 4WD

(To my knowledge the electrical part of the 4x4 switch system is the last to defective..)

You would think but was first to defect for me--transfer case motor has not went out yet on my truck. When it did go out I only had 55k on the odometer
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  #7  
Old 02-02-2015, 03:48 AM
GreatDane GreatDane is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whisky View Post
(To my knowledge the electrical part of the 4x4 switch system is the last to defective..) You would think but was first to defect for me--transfer case motor has not went out yet on my truck. When it did go out I only had 55k on the odometer
I would still say that's bad luck! Drained my transfer case oil when I pulled the shift motor and it looks completely mint inside, I could hear a small grind if I tried to switch the modes which confirmed me that the shift motor could not switch motors.

It's quick to remove the shift motor and takes a couple of hours to inspect it for wear and tear.

How do you diagnose the computer of the system ?
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  #8  
Old 02-02-2015, 04:09 AM
shelbyrhymer shelbyrhymer is offline
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Default

My ranger was stuck in 4x4 last night I pulled the battery cables off and it came out not it goes in and out like it should again
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  #9  
Old 02-02-2015, 04:38 AM
GreatDane GreatDane is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shelbyrhymer View Post
My ranger was stuck in 4x4 last night I pulled the battery cables off and it came out not it goes in and out like it should again
Yeah it's also known that tapping the shift motor with a hammer can get it to work as well, but I would say that's luck and not a fix
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  #10  
Old 02-03-2015, 03:14 PM
Causey842 Causey842 is offline
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Default Re: Ranger stuck in 4WD

Thanks for all the replies! I took it to the shop and he said it was the 4x4 control module. Something about it was getting power to it, but returning it and that was stopping it from disengaging. He ordered the part and of course its the only part of the 4x4 not covered by my insurance because it isn't internally lubricated =/

Guess I am glad I found out before the amount of the snow we have been getting!
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