>> > >> >
>> >> Hello group,
>> >>
>> >> I have a friend who has a 1999 Ranger 4.0L 4WD. The other day when he >> >> tried
>> >> to use the 4wd, it wasn't working. He would turn the knob and the >> >> light
>> >> would come on after a second but the front wheels weren't engaging. >> >> Granted
>> >> I don't know a whole lot about his truck, I would assume that since >> >> the
>> >> light is coming on and staying lit that the solenoid is engaging in >> >> the
>> >> transfer case, so something else is wrong. Does his truck have vacuum
>> >> operated lockout hubs? If so could it be a vacuum leak, even though >> >> his
>> >> truck doesn't run like it has a leak? Also if there was something >> >> wrong
>> >> with
>> >> the 4wd system, wouldn't that turn a light on?
>> >>
>> >> Any thoughts are appeciated.
>> >>
>> >> John
>> >
>> > I know from past experience that if you do not use the 4WD a couple of
>> > times per year, the mechanical parts will seize up, and while the
>> > indication will tell you that you are in 4WD, you are really not. >> >
>> > How long since the 4WD was last engaged?
>> >
>> > H.
>>
>> I'll have to ask him when the last time was. So the indication light is > ran
>> straight from the switch then? Since it can be lit without the truck >> being
>> in 4wd? I'll let you know what he says.
>
> I don't think the indicator will light unless the transfer case is > engaged.
> On my early Explorers the switch that turns on the little light is in the
> servo motor (if I recall correctly).
>
> How do you KNOW it's not in 4WD? If you mark the front drive shaft and
> axles with chalk, drive it a little in 4WD, you should be able to > determine
> if that part is engaged if they turn. If so, that would leave the locking
> hubs. On my Explorers I engaged 4WD, drove forward a ways, and jacked up
> the front end and tried to turn the front wheels by hand. One was locked > to
> the axle and the other wasn't. Now I have manual hubs. I don't know how
> the hubs lock on your truck but on mine they were "automatic." It was not > a
> good system.
>>
>> John
>>
He did have it in 4wd in the summer when he went mudding (a little not to much). We know its not in 4wd since we live in minnesota and its been snowing some here and putting it in 4wd and then accelerating a little bit makes the truck want to spin around in a circle, feeling like the front tires aren't engaging a bit.
John