2000 Explorer..4x4 won't engage

2000 Explorer.. 4.0... Auto...

The four wheel drive won't engage. Fuses are good. Lights are showing that it is in four wheel drive but its not. Transfer case will go into low range but still no four wheel drive. Tried shiffting in neutral and with wheels jacked up off of ground. 170,000 miles so I can't complain much.

First time poster... looks like a great site here.


OleCuzz...

It could be possible that the TCCC (transfer case clutch coil) has gone bad. Your sure its going into low range that if you put it in (D) it shifts real quick?

It is for sure going into low range... no doubt about it. That is what has me so confused. I guess I am stuck in the old school time warp of reasoning because I keep thinking if it goes into low range, then it should automaticlly be in 4x4 as well. Perhaps not?

OleCuzz...

Oh yea... While in neutral and turning the switch from HIGH to LOW, you can actually hear a slight gear noise and little clunk as it shifts. Same when going from LOW to HIGH. Nothing at all going back and forth from AUTO to HIGH.

Lol, I guess your an older guy than me (no offense) but yeah in 95 the transfer case in the explorer had a clutch coil that put the 4X4 in. It still has a shift motor that puts it into high or low gear but inside the transfer case is that clutch coil that is activated by power which locks it inside to turn the front driveshaft, thats how the Auto position works in your explorer because the transfercase is in 4X4 high but isn't pushing the front drive train until one of the rear wheels slip then power is pushed to the TCCC to keep it from spinning. Hope I was clear enough bout it, not always great at explaining things, thats why I think you maybe having trouble with the TCCC

The neat thing about it, its not necessary but if you were to clip the brown wire that suplies the power to the tccc and hooked it to a toggle switch and had a hot wire going to it, you could have full-time 4X4 with flicking a toggle switch and not putting it in the High setting, or you can do differently and have it on a toggle switch so you could have the option of true 2wd that the tccc wouldnt engage until you flicked the switch to have the traction-control, some folks do that because they don't like it engaging its self.

I'll tell ya though I do kinda wish the 2nd gen explorer's had come with a regular electric t-case, you could also replace your t-case with a manual too.

Lol, I guess your an older guy than me

I resemble that remark...lol.

Looks like that isn't all of my probs. Took the explorer to the P.O. and the store today... and heard a noise under the hood. Went to the local wrench and he says its a timing chain. I guess this model has a chain in the front and back and motor has to come out to fix. Over 170,000 miles on her... I don't really think I'm going to do it. Just put $600 worth of Goodyears on it two weeks ago and now this too. Thinking of pulling the Wranglers and parting it out. Very aggrevated at all this for sure.

OleCuzz...

Oh...yeah, you have the SOHC motor and they had that issue with the timing chain. And yeah you have to take the motor out to fix it. What state do you live in just incase you decide to part it out, I may want something from it lol

The plus side of the SOHC motor vs. the OHV motor that came in the explorers was it had more power over the OHV. You could always replace that motor with a 4.0 OHV

15 miles NW of Charleston, WV.... just a hop down 79 for you...lol

Checking on parts and labor now. Might have a lead on a guy that will fix for less than $600... parts and labor.

Thats good no sense in junking something thats still usable with some fixing if you don't have to spend a ton on fixing it.

Well... the whole story (short version)

1.Trans OD light has been coming on a bit lately.... last two weeks.

2. Truck was ran off the road and center punched a small Cherry tree last year. no biggie... just radiator, grill, bumper, hood, and evaporator...but still needs paint.

3. 4x4 not engaging...

4. Now the timing chain.

5. And I'm sure the exhaust will need some attention next inspection time...

Having a hard time justifying $$$$ to fix everything when same money could go towards something else.

Oh.. and by the way... I've got holes in my socks that are older than you are...LOL.

Have you gotten your timing chain or anything else fixed on your truck yet? lol

ha my 1996 had same prob.... apparently i ran over a branch one day and it ripped out all the hoses that engage it.
CHEAP FIX!!!!
schematics were a pain to find though

i have a 97 with the sohc motor and the timing chain tensioner went out and jumped time. If you do the work yourself good luck finding the timing marks. As of yet i still have no idea how to set the timing on the motor. Good luck

And I really don't know much bout the SOHC motor, I've only owned the OHV.

Haven't got the parts to repair the timing chain yet. However I do have friend at a parts place that quoted $400 for the complete parts that I need.

Most likely I will start on it next week or two.

From what I understand from my parts guy, the parts are coming from NAPA and they include complete step by step instructions on the do it yourself. So I will probably do that.

Cool Good luck with it.