2002 Ford Explorer 4x4 not working

02 Explorer with push button 4x4 92K miles. When I push the buttons, it wont engage. I assume that there is a module that controls this but not sure. Also get a loud vibration in the front end when driving down the road. There is a slight vibration in the front end as well. This happens at pretty much any speed. Any suggestions?

 

When you push the buttons to disengage the 4 wheel drive, do the vibrations stop?

 

The 4x4 is not enganged so the buttons arent really doing anything that I can tell, but to answer the question no, the noise doesnt stop.

 

Sometimes you can start engaging a 4X4 and it may not be able to complete the process. It may be where you are getting the vibration - something isn't completely locked in. If you disengage the system completely, then try again it may work.

What is the procedure your manual gives you for putting it into four wheel drive ( I assume it's just pushing the 4 wheel drive switch) and taking it out? Does it require backing up about fifteen feet to disengage the front hubs? The later eighties did on the Rangers with auto lock hubs is why I'm asking.

Bob

 

Hi katce, hopefully I can help here, I turn a wrench at the local Ford dealer. Yes the 4x4 is controlled by a module, it is located behind the glovebox. If I had to make a guess, I would say the module is bad, they are a common problem with those vehicles. Some common things you can see from the drivers' seat are, what do the 4x4 lights on the dash do? If they come on for a bulb check and then begin flashing for no good reason, or both lights are on all the time, or they don't work at all it's probably the module. Unfortunately for you the only way to know for sure is to use a scan tool, and it's a pretty pricey guess.

Good Luck

 

For hiflyn:

With a bad module, will that cause the vibration and are those full time hubs or autolocking?

Thanks,

Bob

 

2002 explorer does not use hubs at all, the front axle is always engaged and the module engages the transfer case to get 4x4.

The noise/vibration is probably a bad wheel bearing, also very common in that vehicle.

 

Thanks for the information. I was going to buy one of those, about that year. I had always had such good luck with my Rangers - put on a lot of miles with no problems and the 4 x4 with the autolocking hub setup always worked perfectly..