Stuck in 4 high. 4x4 Dial selector no lights. Fuses good. No check engine light.

[Blutrausch]

So engaged 4x4 yesterday morning everything functioned fine and then the 4x4 system decided to just shut off I guess. Dial selector has no lights/no functionality. Truck is stuck in 4 high. Checked all fuses, connections, etc. No check engine/service lights. The only thing wrong that I found was that the wiring harness running to the transfer case shift motor was routed incorrectly and had been contacting the front driveshaft and the wires had been eaten into slightly. However, there was no exposed copper from the wires so I am unsure if that could be causing this issue. The ford dealerships around here are a week out to a month out on getting me in on service, so am looking for advice on getting the truck out of 4 high so I can drive it until I get an appointment. Have already disconnected battery to reset things as well. Thanks in advance

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[DukeCanBuildit]

Long shot WAG - have you tried disconnecting that wiring harness from the transfer case? ?‍

 

[Blutrausch]

Long shot WAG - have you tried disconnecting that wiring harness from the transfer case? ?‍

I did indeed unplug the connector which of course threw a check powertrain light. Inspected the plug connections and everything and put it back together and still no change.

 

[RedlandRanger]

My 2003 Ranger did this once - it had to be towed (flat bed) to a dealer and the electric motor that enabled 4 low was replaced.

Wondering if you can pull any DTCs from the computer? That might narrow things down. I'd bet some electrical component has failed.

 

[Blutrausch]

My 2003 Ranger did this once - it had to be towed (flat bed) to a dealer and the electric motor that enabled 4 low was replaced.

Wondering if you can pull any DTCs from the computer? That might narrow things down. I'd bet some electrical component has failed.

I have been meaning to get a code reader for this exact reason but I do not have one on hand unfortunately. I am starting to thing the 4x4 control module might have failed somehow.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It could also be as weird as a mouse chewing on wiring in the console. I recall at least two mentions of mice or their nesting material being found in consoles.

With trim removal tools, it’s easy enough to pop the console cover and take a look. If you care to even give this a try, some of the threads on swapping in a Trail Management button or installing the Auto Stop Start Delete module show just where and how to pry on the cover.

 

[RangerBill]

So engaged 4x4 yesterday morning everything functioned fine and then the 4x4 system decided to just shut off I guess. Dial selector has no lights/no functionality. Truck is stuck in 4 high. Checked all fuses, connections, etc. No check engine/service lights. The only thing wrong that I found was that the wiring harness running to the transfer case shift motor was routed incorrectly and had been contacting the front driveshaft and the wires had been eaten into slightly. However, there was no exposed copper from the wires so I am unsure if that could be causing this issue. The ford dealerships around here are a week out to a month out on getting me in on service, so am looking for advice on getting the truck out of 4 high so I can drive it until I get an appointment. Have already disconnected battery to reset things as well. Thanks in advance

Have you checked fuse F66 in the battery junction box (BJB)? It feeds the transfer case shift motor.

 

[Blutrausch]

It could also be as weird as a mouse chewing on wiring in the console. I recall at least two mentions of mice or their nesting material being found in consoles.

With trim removal tools, it’s easy enough to pop the console cover and take a look. If you care to even give this a try, some of the threads on swapping in a Trail Management button or installing the Auto Stop Start Delete module show just where and how to pry on the cover.

Will definitely look into this, my trim tools are in a storage unit 30 minutes away though so that's not great.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I would think that removing the front driveshaft would allow you to drive it on the road. Assuming that it’s stuck in 4H. This would get you by until you can get it to the dealer.

 

[Blutrausch]

Have you checked fuse F66 in the battery junction box (BJB)? It feeds the transfer case shift motor.

If your talking about the one on the bottom of the fuse box in the engine compartment then yes I have checked the fuse listed as 4wd/fuse 66

 

[Blutrausch]

I would think that removing the front driveshaft would allow you to drive it on the road. Assuming that it’s stuck in 4H. This would get you by until you can get it to the dealer.

Does the differential not lock the front wheels together?

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Does the differential not lock the front wheels together?

No, it’s an open diff on the front axle. So it would act just like you were in 2WD. The front axle shafts and driveshaft rotate constantly when in 2WD.

 

[Blutrausch]

No, it’s an open diff on the front axle. So it would act just like you were in 2WD. The front axle shafts and driveshaft rotate constantly when in 2WD.

Oh ok then that is a great option thank you!

 

[RangerBill]

If your talking about the one on the bottom of the fuse box in the engine compartment then yes I have checked the fuse listed as 4wd/fuse 66

Here is the transfer case connector pin-out. Pins 1, 2 and 3 are the position feedback of the transfer case (looks like a potentiometer), and pins 4 and 5 are the power leads for the shift motor.

 

[RangerBill]

I am thinking that the wiring to the transfer case position feedback is open, or the position feedback sensor is bad. This would cause your 4 wheel drive switch lights to not function.

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