'94 Ford Ranger 4WD problems

BamaRob · Mar 29, 2007

HGM said:
The transfer case has no vac going to it, its electrical. Did you tap it with a hammer?

Not yet. I'll try that this afternoon.

Thanks,

BR

HomeBrew2 · Mar 29, 2007

Continuing what HGM said, I have also read that sometimes the motor can be simply removed, cleaned or just unbolted and bolted back up (any or all), without having to replace the motor, if tapping it doesn't work.

As preventative maintenance, I "excercise" my xfer case motor weekly just driving out my gravel drive.

Phils · Mar 29, 2007

When a family member bought an older Explorer there was a problem with the 4WD engagement system. Some shops said they had to replace the motor. A shop where I knew them well replaced a "pin" that was made out of nylon or something similar. It took a special tool that they had rigged, but was a cheap fix and worked fine thereafter.

Sorry I can't give more details, it was a few years ago. They talked like it was a common problem and that without their "tool", motor replacement was the only fix. If it comes down to it I can PM you their phone number and the name of the mgr that knows the fix.

Phil

cp1969 · Mar 29, 2007

BamaRob said:
Update...

You guys were right about the revving/dying problem not being the relay. I got home yesterday afternoon and put the new relay in. Cranked the engine and it fired right up, revved to ~3500 RPM, and died. I cranked it again and started tapping the gas pedal. It would stay cranked, but wouldn't idle. I got back under the hood and discovered 2 vacuum lines weren't attached. I reattached one of them and the idle smoothed out. I couldn't find the other line and just plugged the other vacuum port. The truck is running like a champ, but I need to consult an owner's/service manual to figure out what supposed to be connected to that other vacuum line. The light on the 4WD button is still lit, though I'm not sure 4WD is actually engaged.

No chance the 4WD is vacuum actuated is there?

Thanks,

BamaRob

According to my Haynes book, Ford put pulse vacuum hubs on the 1998-2000 year models, so the 1994 should have been something else.

Are you sure it is locked in? Turn some sharp corners with it on dry pavement--if it doesn't buck, you are not locked in. If you're not familiar with that technique, jack up the front and rotate the wheels and see if they are locked.

The revving sounds like a dying MAF sensor to me. That is exactly what my '98 did except it never came out of it. It would start, rev, then die. Does the '94 have an OBD plug on it?

Soundguy · Mar 30, 2007

The comment about periodically 'exercising' your 4wd is a good one. I try to shift to 4wd 1x per month just to keep it moving. When i had a 4x4 tractor, i did the same..

soundguy