4x4 not working

otwhitty1 · #1 12-30-2009, 06:45 PM

I have a 2000 Ranger XLT Extended cab 4x4 with a manual transmission. The four wheel drive stopped working recently. When switched to 4 high the light on the dash comes on and it almost seems like it is working. My rear wheels then spin on slippery surfaces (snow) and the front tires will not do anything. When placed in four low the light will not come on and obviously will not engage. I took off the transfer case motor and turned the switch on the dash. The motor will turn when switched to 4 high. When switched to 4 low the motor will not turn. Thinking the motor was bad, I replaced it. This wasted my money because it did not work and it still has the same problems as before. The triangular key coming out at the transfer case turns easily into each range, 2 High, 4 High and 4 Low when turned with pliers. I changed the switch on the dash with a known working one and it did not help. Could this be a power problem, wiring problem or something in the transfer case? If transfer case, will a 98 or 99 automatic transfer case from a 4x4 work in mine since it is a manual?

Christo Davids · #2 12-30-2009, 11:30 PM

Is the hub locking mechanism not faulty?
Try the following:
switch to 4WD, L or H and check if the front propshaft rotates when you drive (ask someone to check, or put the vehicle on stands) - if not, fault is in the transfercase, if it turns then you need to look at the front diff, it can either be:
1 - the hub locking mechanism is faulty, sometimes the vacuum pipes come off, perish, etc
2 - you have a broken sideshaft

If it is in the diff, check the vacuum pipes on the hub locking mechanism, normally that would be where the problem lies

otwhitty1 · #3 01-01-2010, 03:01 PM

I put it on stands and placed it in 4 High. The rear tires spin, the front tires do nothing but the front shaft coming out of the transfer case rotates. I am still a mechanic in training so I have to ask dumb questions. Where are the vacum pipes and do I need to remove the tire to get to them. Also how do I check them when I find them. One other thing, I still have the problem of it not switching to 4 low. Is this becasue it actually never goes in 4 High.

Thanks

otwhitty1 · #4 01-02-2010, 01:44 PM

Took front tires off and tried to follow the vacum lines. The passenger side came off easy and had corrosion on the metal tube. This may be it. Tracked the tube and it lead to a box under the passenger side headlight. Going to go see if this is the problem. Anyone know where the vacum line goes to create the vacum. I can not trace it to anything else.

Thanks

otwhitty1 · #5 01-03-2010, 05:45 PM

The vacum was good but the hub was not locking in with the axle. Took off the hubs and inspected them. The left front hub had a piece of the black tab from the hub broke off and the hub was sticking. This caused the hub to act like it was sticking. I took out the broke plastic piece and put the hub back on. Road tested it and the 4 high works. It locks in and out easily but the 4 low still does not work. This will do until I get a replacment hub or it stops working again. Just cant figure out why 4 low will not work. Maybe the small black piece has something to do with it. Hope this helps someone else.

Thanks

Jay FX4 · #6 01-03-2010, 06:01 PM

The hubs have nothing to do with not being able to shift into 4-low. The hubs are "dumb" - they're only mechanical.

Sometimes a screwy shift motor will prevent you from shifting into 4-low.

davidjsouth · #7 02-07-2010, 08:41 AM

I was having issues with mine this morning while doing my route. I think part of the problem and again I know nothing about 4x4, is that I go in reverse several times. Does that disengage 4x4 even with the dash light on.

There were some instances where I had to put it in 4 Low to get up some rather slippery hills (unplowed/ poorly plowed developements). it seemed to work fine. But it was the 4 high that was giving me issues. I would hear a zinging noise in my left front wheel. I think I may have to take it some where and looked out.

ranger101 · #8 02-07-2010, 08:45 AM

Are you shifting into 4 low the correct way?

davidjsouth · #9 02-07-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger101

Are you shifting into 4 low the correct way?

I come to a complete stop before engaging it and disengaging it.

99offroadrngr · #10 02-07-2010, 09:18 AM

if you want to go into 4 low you need to be completely stopped and should be in neutral...you didn't say you were in neutral so maybe thats the problem?

davidjsouth · #11 02-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99offroadrngr

if you want to go into 4 low you need to be completely stopped and should be in neutral...you didn't say you were in neutral so maybe thats the problem?

OKay I'll try tomorrow b/c I"m sure I'll need to attempt the same hills tomorrow since the roads are still not all that great.

It's the 4 high I'm more concerned about. I hear a zinging noise some times on my left front wheel like it's not engaging or something. Sometimes if i stop, take it our of 4 high and go in reverse then forward in 4 high it seems to work. Do I need it in neutral then. Maybe that's my problem. But I have the clutch pushed in. Isn't that the same as neutral?

MFDTRK1 · #12 02-09-2010, 01:17 PM

Does anyone know where to get replacement hubs? OR Does anyone know the routing for the vac. lines? Thanks!

davidjsouth · #13 02-09-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidjsouth

OKay I'll try tomorrow b/c I"m sure I'll need to attempt the same hills tomorrow since the roads are still not all that great.

It's the 4 high I'm more concerned about. I hear a zinging noise some times on my left front wheel like it's not engaging or something. Sometimes if i stop, take it our of 4 high and go in reverse then forward in 4 high it seems to work. Do I need it in neutral then. Maybe that's my problem. But I have the clutch pushed in. Isn't that the same as neutral?

Yep. Same issue. Still hearing that zipping noise. Any suggestions. If I take it some where will it cost a lot?