Ford Explorer: How can I tell if my 4WD is working?

In 4WD-Lo (and in 4WD-Hi on '97 and later models) the transfer case
locks the front and rear driveshafts, so at least one wheel should be
turning at either end. Sounds like you may have a problem.

=Vic=
Bear Gap, PA

Kevin wrote: 

On Mon, 20 Oct 2003 18:05:31 -0700, "Kevin" <net>
wrote:
 

In 4-HI or 4-LO, the front and rear drive shafts are supposed to be
locked, so front and rear wheels should turn.

In article <com>,
Bill Funk <net> wrote:
 

Is this control trac??

I think that there has to be some kind of slippage for enough torque to build to
properly engage the system.

You could ask your dealer.

HAND

--
"Freedom Is a Light for Which Many Have Died in Darkness"

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 14:46:18 GMT, "H. M. Leary"
<net> wrote:
 

No, it's not an automatic system I'm describing. It's the old-style
four-wheel-drive, which is engaged when the selector is turned to 4-HI
or 4-LO; some systems don't have one or the other.
But when 4-HI or 4-LO is engaged, the transfer case should lock the
front & rear drive shafts together, so they both turn. 

When in auto mode, yes. When in 4-HI or 4-Lo, no. 

"Kevin" <net> wrote in message news:bn20oq$rag$chatlink.com... 

Try jacking up only the rear wheels and see if the front wheels make it go forward.

"gordo" <welcome> wrote in message
news:Z6glb.9904$news.atl.earthlink.net... 
I don't know if Ford's 4wd operates the same but I had a 92 Chevy Blazer 4wd which the
front drive wouldn't engage immediately. You had to drive it forward for a short distance
before all 4 wheels would hook up. There would be a noticable difference in steering
effort when the fronts engaged. The truck felt harder to make tight turns when 4wd was
engaged.

you did not say what year you had, but the system should be easily
checked on a dirt road. whomp the pedal in 4 high, then try in 2wd.
you will definately notice which works. the 95 and up had to detect
wheel slippage before pulsing 4wheel to the front.

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 20:00:32 GMT, "gordo" <welcome> wrote:
 

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

My Explorer is a '96 with control trac 4 WD. Sorry I forgot to mention
this. Sounds like I need to find a slippery road, and see if there's a
difference between 2wd and 4wd.

Thanks again!!

Cheers,
Kevin

"barrythedude " <ca> wrote in message
news:accesscomm.ca... 
news:bn20oq$rag$chatlink.com... 
the 
but 
snows, and 
go forward. 
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a short distance 
in steering 
when 4wd was