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Ford Expedition 4WD Problems

59 messages,  Last post on Mar 20, 2012 at 10:28 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 7

#15 of 59 AWD-4H drive problems by gilorado

Aug 17, 2009 (8:48 pm)

recently while turning in 4H drive mode in my 2004 Ford Expedition 5.4L,. I noticed it was having problems going around a corner. Turning back to 2H resolved the issue. However when I turn the switch back to either AWD or 4H and turn a corner the rear wheels seem to be operating independantly or the wheels have a hard time moving around the corner, 1 wheel moves and the other doesn't... What could be the issue? Do you think transmission, transfer case? Ideas?

#16 of 59 AWD / 4H by alwaysfords2

Aug 18, 2009 (5:16 am)

Was it on dry pavement? The wheels do have to spin at different speeds in a corner, the inside wheels turn less, which is what the differentials do.

#18 of 59 4X4 issue on 97 Exp by airconman

Dec 07, 2009 (5:30 pm)

My Exp will not go into AWD, 4H or 4L when I select any of these on the dash switch. The dash lights to indicate any of these selections do not come on and the the 4X4 does not engage. I also have an instrument cluster problem on this car. The cluster went bad when the alternator failed. Alternator was replaced but I have just been living with the bad instrument cluster. Is the 4x4 problem related to the cluster problem? Or unrelated? If unrelated, any ideas on where to start troubleshooting on the 4x4 issue? Thanks for any replies...

#19 of 59 Re: 4X4 issue on 97 Exp [airconman] by alwaysfords2

Dec 08, 2009 (10:23 am)

Replying to: airconman (Dec 07, 2009 5:30 pm)
I would check the fuses related to 4WD, particularly for the transfer case shift motor. It is electrically activated and is what gets you 4wd

#20 of 59 Re: 4X4 issue on 97 Exp [alwaysfords2] by airconman

Dec 09, 2009 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: alwaysfords2 (Dec 08, 2009 10:23 am)
Thanks alwaysfords2, I checked the fuse to the transfer case shift motor today - it looks fine. I will do a more thorough look through other fuses when the weather warms up - high of ten degrees F today...bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I am thinking it may be related to the GEM system!? Still looking for other ideas. I think I will also check to see if I am getting power at the transfer case shift motor.

#21 of 59 Re: 4X4 issue on 97 Exp [airconman] by alwaysfords2

Dec 10, 2009 (7:00 am)

Replying to: airconman (Dec 09, 2009 6:10 pm)
I've also read of people having temporary luck hitting the shift motor and waking it up, sort of like hitting a starter that has a dead spot on it, so after you check the power, give it a smack or two.

#22 of 59 Re: 4X4 issue on 97 Exp [alwaysfords2] by airconman

Dec 10, 2009 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: alwaysfords2 (Dec 10, 2009 7:00 am)
Issue Resolved!
 
Thanks for the tip on giving the transfer case a pop. I had read that elsewhere too. I did not get to that point in troubleshooting but was able get the 4WD working today. I rechecked the transfer case fuse, as well as checked all of the GEM (generic electronic module!?) fuses. The circuit for the 4WD selector goes through the GEM. All fuses looked okay, but there must have been a bad connection in there cause after checking and reinserting the 6 or so fuses, I started her up the AWD and 4Hi are working. yeah!! Just goes to show - start with the simple stuff first!

#23 of 59 Re: 4X4 issue on 97 Exp [airconman] by alwaysfords2

Dec 11, 2009 (7:07 am)

Replying to: airconman (Dec 10, 2009 4:00 pm)
Simple and free. Doesn't get much nicer than that.

#24 of 59 2003 Expedition 4x4 problems by fundad

Jan 23, 2010 (8:51 pm)

Heres the story... 2003 E.B. Expedition, 5.4L, control trac and traction control. It started jumping out of 4 wheel drive a couple years ago and slowly got to the point where it wouldnt go into 4 wheel drive at all. Didnt worry about it since we have another AWD GM suv to use when roads are bad.
 
Fast forward to today. I finally decided to take a look at it. Here is what it does: Select A4WD on ice. Get rear tire spin only, then the 4x4H light illuminates for some reason. Select 4x4H and i hear solenoid by the seat belt click. 4x4 indicator illuminates on the dash and only have rear tire spin. Put trans in neutral, foot on brake, select 4x4L. Transfer case engages in low range and 4x4L indicator illuminates. Rear tire spin only. Also crawled under and listened and felt the transfer case shift motor and it seems to be working when someone switches from 2HD to 4x4H
Now today, I am hearing a noise like a rattle ONLY when 4x4 is selected and while I am getting rear tire spin. I thought it was coming from transmission/transfer case area. My wife says it was coming from the front of the truck (hubs?).
 
I changed the transfer case fluid with appropriate fluid and only then, during a test drive, the ABS light and (red) brake warning light came on. Also received a "check control trac" message in the MID.
 
I am thinking that it may be the hubs but I was told that if they fail (loss of vacuum by hose or seals) that they fail in a locked position so I should still have 4x4. However, this summer, I did notice a clicking sound from the hubs when turning the wheels sharply in either direction in 2WD but no drive line bind like you get with an operating 4WD system.
 
Any thoughts? I m at a loss. Tear apart the hubs or should I pull the transfer case and inspect the internals? Could this be a speed or ABS sensor?

Messages Page 3 of 7

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