1991 Ford Explorer locked into 4wd.?

Question

I have an Eddie Bauer edition 1991 automatic Ford explorer that I seem to have broken the 4wd on. It won't disengage from the front wheels. I don't know if it's only one wheel or both right now. When I press the handy little button I have to disengage the 4wd, the light turns off (signaling that the 4wd has been successfully disengaged), and I hear it disengaging from the back wheels. Unfortunately, when I try to drive, I find that it is still engaged. Obviously, I'd like to avoid taking it to a garage if I can. Any idea on where I should start poking around?

Answer 1

I had the same vehicle. The noise you hear when you press the button on the dash is the electric shift motor attmepting to disengage the front wheeels. Sounds like it's still working. Like the answer above stated, sometimes you have to drive a few feet in reverese to completely disengage the front end.

Answer 2

Four wheel drive systems dont disengage from the rear wheels, they lock in the front. The rear wheels are always locked in. Some of todays four wheel drive systems are also "full time" four wheel drive. Make sure you have a symbol that says 2wd. If you dont and you just have 4H, N, and 4L, your Ford is a fulltime. I have a 88 Jeep Cherokee that is 4wd and after I disengage the 4wd I have to put it in reverse and go back a little, and then forward, and the wheels unlock, other than that I dont know why it would be engaging your rear wheels and not your front because most four wheeldrive systems only engage the front wheels when you put it in four wheel drive. I would just go ahead and take it to the Ford dealership if you dont find the cause, maybe its a recall!!

Answer 3

The only thing that really makes noise is when you go from low to high range. The 4WD is engaged by a magnetic clutch in the transfer case.
You need to drive backwards about 15 feet when you leave 4WD in the old Explorers to unlock the front hubs.

Answer 4

4x4 motor to engage front end is stuck on replace it