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Subject: 97 Ranger 4wd not working
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RON___User is Offline
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12/06/2003 6:01 PM  
I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
miesk5___User is Offline
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12/07/2003 6:06 PM  
Ron, check the transfer case motor for inop. Electric Transfer Case Troubleshooting and Repair (for Explorers, but motors are same/similar) by Jeff: http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/web/pages/tcase.html Al

------------ Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
bill2175___User is Offline
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12/10/2003 11:00 AM  
I bought my Ranger new and had the same problem. Every year now I take it back to Ford and have the bearings and the 4wd locking hubs cleaned and lubricated. Now it works great. The dealer told me how to keep it working. He said when starting out and driving forward switch it to 4wd until it locks in place. I then drive for about 10 seconds and then switch to 2wd. This keeps it locked in place after switching to 2wd. As soon as I put the truck in reverse it automatically unlocks the hubs. I don't do this every time--about twice a month I do this. ------------ Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
DENNY___User is Offline
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01/01/2004 8:20 PM  
------------ Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
DENNY___User is Offline
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01/01/2004 8:28 PM  
Ron...if you find out, let me know....Mine (94 Ranger 4.0)was working fine two days ago when I went into high country with ice. Then today with new snow it would not engage, the lights on the dash were indicating 4 wheel drive, but it wouldn't engage. no noises with my rig...the two fuses were also ok, so that easy fix was out. I have 120,000 ------------ Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
Canadian_Mudder___User is Offline
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04/22/2004 6:40 AM  
I am not a pro when it comes to this stuff, I have family who work at the local Ford dealer. I guess from what I have heard about the rangers with the pulse vac. hubs is that there are the problem. I have a 1997 Ranger 52,000km 5inch superlift, 33 inch TSL's and a lockright no slip rear end. I had the same problem. Went out one weekend and the truck worked very best. Next week end got in the dirt and tried to engage 4x4 and I had it for afew seconds then nothing. I took the truck to the dealer and they cleaned up and put a new set of Warn manual hubs on the old girl. No problems yet. Like I said I am just going on what I was told so if it is wrong sorry. Good luck and tread lightly...yeah right...lol ------------ Denny at 1/1/2004 8:27:36 PM

Ron...if you find out, let me know....Mine (94 Ranger 4.0)was working fine two days ago when I went into high country with ice. Then today with new snow it would not engage, the lights on the dash were indicating 4 wheel drive, but it wouldn't engage. no noises with my rig...the two fuses were also ok, so that easy fix was out. I have 120,000 ------------ Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
John___User is Offline
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06/08/2004 6:22 PM  
------------IF YOUR RANGER HAS AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS, THE HUB OR HUBS COULD BE STRIPPED MAKING A LOUD WHINNING NOUISE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 94 FORD RANGER. THE CHEAPEST ALTERNATIVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WOULD BE TO ORDER SOME MANUAL LOCKING HUBS WITH CONVERSION KIT OFF THE SUMMIT RACING.COM WEBSITE. REPLACEMENT HUBS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE OUTRAGEOUSLY PRICED AT ABOUT $300 PER HUB. THE MANUAL LOCKING HUBS WITH CONVERSION KIT COST ABOUT $200 SHIPPING INCLUDED. Ron at 12/6/2003 6:01:00 PM

I have a 97 ranger that has high miles, 101,000. I just bought the truck and have not had a chance to use the 4wd until this weekend, SNOW. It was working fine when I bought it. I turn the switch on the dashboard, the 4wd light comes on, but nothing. It was working a few days ago, I checked when I heard about the snow. There was a whinning noise though. I am suspecting the transfer case, but not sure. It seems that when I turn the switch the front wheels hook up for a short time, then nothing. Could it be the switch motor that engages the 4wd? Any info will be great, Thanks Ron in CT.
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