1992 4x4 won't engage

[usat212]

4X4 won't engage it's a push button, the lights come on and stay on like it is engaged. Anyone know what might be wrong?

[Craigvalk]

The front hubs are prone to failure if they are not serviced properly. However that's not to say that's the only possibility. If they won't engage it could be an electrical problem as well.
BTW those automatic hubs are extremely expensive, much more so than a set of manual hubs.

[coloradomtntop]

Don't know if you have solved or not. We have 91 explorer w/ 180K on it....lots of 4x4 time. We changed to manual hubs years ago and have never had a hub problem again. 4x4 engaging problem in our case was solved by installing a new shifting motor (located on rear of transfer case). As I remember, it cost about $90 and dealer said it was a common replacement item. I believe it shifts from 2 Hi to 4 Hi and then to 4 Lo with this 12 volt motor. I was ticked I had gone without 4wd so long once I figured out how easy the fix was.

Make sure hubs are working 1st, then you can remove this shift motor and have someone activate button with key switch on and you will see the knob index back and forth if the motor is working. You can see this without being under the vehicle if you have it turned the right way.

good luck!

[usat212]

Changed our automatic hubs over to manual WE"VE GOT 4X4!!! Never thought it would be so easy to change it over. Thanks for the advice