4x4 problem for the experts....

[bigmax88]

ok, i have no 4x4, but read on its a little weird. for no reason one day i tried to use 4x4 and it didnt work. i use it regularly(about 3 times a month) it went to a4wd and that was enough for what i was doing at the time, but it never worked again. i turn the switch and nothing happens. no lights, no sounds or anything BUT!! if i unhook the battery and plug it back up, the a4wd works fine for a about 10 minutes it seems, but no 4x4 hi or 4 lo, and the a4wd quits too after a few minutes. and then i can unhook the battery and it will work again, but only in automatic 4x4. whats the deal? i pulled out every single relay i could find and moved them over one space to see if my 4x4 would start working and something else would failo....btw does anyone know which relay is actually the 4x4 transfercase relay? apparently the owners manual dont want you to know and neither does the haynes.


also, does the transfer case motor have to work for a4wd to work? or is there something internal that kicks 4x4 in and out. if the motor has to work for a4wd to work, then i would think the problem was NOT the motor
please help!!!!

 

[bigmax88]

nothing? none of you people actually work on these trucks yourself? come on somebody has to have an idea..

 

[nvycrmn]

sorry bud. cant say that i have had this problem on mine. i wonder if maybe there is a short or something...

 

[KWT2000]

sounds like the tcase shift motor crapped out... when in a4wd the motor doesnt shift till wheel spin occurs...

 

[tonydiv]

Have someone look at the front driveshaft while it's in 4wd.
If it spins then the issue is related to center axle disconnect. That's assuming it's an 02 or older.


Your issue sure sounds like a t-case motor, though

 

[bigmax88]

sounds like the tcase shift motor crapped out... when in a4wd the motor doesnt shift till wheel spin occurs...

actually this interesting. i took the t-case motor off to clean it, and a4wd works WITHOUT the motor on the t-case, the chilton book says that a clutch inside the t-case operates the a4wd. how about this, i hear a lot of clicking coming from behind my dash close to the selector switch, is there a relay there? also can anyone name the relays for me since the owners manual dont tell you and neither do the repair manuals?

 

[panda24619]

what year do you have? cause if its a 1st gen take off the dash and see if the switch is connected all the way. or if you take off the connector see if the connectors are all burnt. the switch could be bad.

 

[bigmax88]

ive cleaned the switch and all the conecters look good, its a 98 with a 4.6. the clicking happens when i start it up. it clicks 4 or 5 times behind the dash and then quits and only a4wd works and sometimes it dont even work, but it ALWAYS works when i unhook the battery and hook it back up, just the a4wd though , dose any have the relays labeled? i have nmo idea which relay is which and the clicking i hear sounds like a relay behind the das(like behing the instrument cluster or somewhere close)

what year do you have? cause if its a 1st gen take off the dash and see if the switch is connected all the way. or if you take off the connector see if the connectors are all burnt. the switch could be bad.

 

[KWT2000]

i maybe wrong but i think the relay is part of the switch... either way im still thinking the t case is bad and a.common problem... i dont recomend using a4wd its hard on the t case and has been known to cause t case failure