2000 explorer AWD problem

[pinhead862002]

i have a 2000 ford explorer xls with the 4.0 sohc it has auto, 4x4hi and 4x4 low. When i have it in auto i am used to taking off from an intersection in the snow and moving right away not getting wheel spin but lately it feels like the rear tires only are spinning but when i get into deep snow to test that theory. it feels like the 4x4 kicks in but does not disengage you can feel it binding when you get back onto the road and turn the steering wheel. i was under the asumption that it was awd when it is in auto. am i correct or does it lock it into 4x4 when needed? and what possibly could be going wrong. I do kick it into 4x4 low and 4x4 hi every 2 months or so.

[TeamExploder]

No, it isn't AWD when in auto, auto is 2wheel drive position but, it's traction control so in auto your only in 2wheel drive til a rear wheel spins. And if you say that it's binding not kicking out then I would maybe get it checked out, When in AUTO position the 4X4 kicks in by what's called a "transfercase clutch also known as TCC). So maybe your tcc is going bad or also check your gear oil see if it could be low not exactly sure if this could effect it or not, I'm not an expert at second gen. transfercases so not sure if gear oil being low could cause the tcc to act up or not. And reasoning for maybe your 4X4 not kicking in, in the auto position could maybe result in a bad sensor, see the AUTO 4X4 works in this way, there is a sensor in the rear wheels and front wheels so that the computer can see that if a rear wheel starts to spin faster than the front wheel it kicks the 4X4 right in so it could be possible that the sensor's maybe going bad, because if it's working in normal 4X4 position then your transfercase is working properly for the most part. Have you tried any short-longterm use while in the 4X4 position to see if maybe you get a smell of low gear oil or something or to see if it can climb a good embankment without having trouble?

[shorod]

There have also been people having problems with the shift motor on the transfer case failing. Sounds to me like that might be what you are experiencing here.

-Rod

[TeamExploder]

Yeah..but don't the 97-01 version differ in this way that really its locked into the 4X4 gear in the transfercase but its not in 4X4 til the tcc engages.

[shorod]

I'll have to check the service manual for the description on that. Could be.

-Rod

[shorod]

Basically, you're right. From the 2000 Factory Service manual:

"In the Auto mode, torque from the transmission is transferred to the input shaft (7017) which, in turn, drives the rear output shaft (7061) that drives the rear axle assembly (4006). The electromechanical ball ramp clutch assembly drives the drive sprocket (7177) after the GEM activates the clutch coil. The drive sprocket turns the drive chain (7A029) that rotates the front output shaft and the front driveshaft (4602). In the 4x4 High mode, the operation is the same as in the Auto mode, except that the GEM consistently activates the electromechanical ball ramp clutch assembly.

"Control-Trac Function

"The Control-Trac transfer case uses an electromechanical clutch assembly to control torque to the front wheels. In the Auto mode, while at rest and under cruising conditions, the GEM activates the transfer case clutch at a minimum level. This allows for the slight difference between the front and rear driveshafts which occurs normally when negotiating a corner on dry pavement. Under any of the following conditions, the GEM will increase the torque sent through the clutch to the front wheels in order to prevent or control slip.

• " Slip is detected (by monitoring the front and rear OSS sensors in the transfer case)
• " Throttle position (by using the throttle position signal from the EEC)"

However, the transfer case selection is still controlled by the shift motor, so if the shift motor is bad, it could prevent the front wheels from engaging reliably.

"Motor, Electric Shift

"The externally mounted transfer case shift motor (7G360), located at the rear of the transfer case (7A195), turns the shift cam assembly. As the shift cam assembly turns, it positions the reduction shift fork (7289) for desired transfer case operation. An integral position sensor in the shift motor provides motor position information to the generic electronic module (GEM)."

-Rod