Ford Explorer Low Range Switch
Michael T. Bogan
New to 4x4. Testing a 1992 Ford Explorer. Question on low range switch -
doesn't seem to work. But I don't really know what I'm doing.
How should this switch be operated? When to use? How do I know if it is
working or not? If not working - what could be problem and cost to fix?
Michael Bogan
Mr. Fun
To engage low range you MUST be stopped and in Neutral or Park. You
would also need to be in 4x4 first. To test out the Explorer you
should, if possible, find some dirt but you can do it on pavement for a
short drive. First you should see if the 4x4 mode works by going a
steady speed around 30 mph and pushing the 4x4 button AND HOLD it in for
about 2 seconds. You should see the indicator lights come on indicating
its in 4x4 mode. You may be able to feel a slight change in the way the
truck "vibrates", so to speak, once it's engaged. You should now be in
4x4 High. To see if the hubs are locked you can do a tight right turn
and then a tight left turn. While making the turn you should be able to
feel the truck shudder or buck a little because the front wheels will be
scrubbing as they try to all go the same distance even though the radius
of the turn is different for each wheel. It you don't feel the bucking
it's possible the hubs didn't engage. I can't think of any other easy
way to tell if the hubs are working other then if you find out they are
not by getting stuck!!. Then you can stop completely, put it in N or P
and push and hold the LOW range button for a couple of seconds. The
lights should come on indicating its in LOW range. Then put it in D or
OD and take off. You will definitely know if it's in LOW as it will
take off like a bat out of hell and shift up very quickly since it's
running a 2:1 ratio. Top speed is about 45 mph but you really shouldn't
run that fast in LOW. The engine does have an electronic governor on it
that will make it cut out if you try to over rev it in LOW range. I
think it cuts out around 4500 rpm and comes back on at 4300.
Disengagement is the revesrse,...stop, N or D, push LOW button, etc,
etc. When you disengage 4x4 you can back up about 10 feet to disengage
the hubs if you want. It's not required if it's not convenient to do it
where you are at. Eventually they will disengage.
Stan Ritter
My 91 had a bad switch (it worked intermittently). I pulled it apart -- it
was an un-repairable circuit board. the replacement part was expensive
($25-30 I think) but easy to replace myself. Follow the instructions by
"Mr. Fun" and if it doesn't work pull and check the switch with a
multimeter.
good luck!
Michael T. Bogan <mbo...@netcom.com> wrote in article
<3347F7...@netcom.com>...
> New to 4x4. Testing a 1992 Ford Explorer. Question on low range switch -
> doesn't seem to work. But I don't really know what I'm doing.
>
> How should this switch be operated? When to use? How do I know if it is
> working or not? If not working - what could be problem and cost to fix?
>
> Michael Bogan
>
Michael Bogan
: Michael T. Bogan <mbo...@netcom.com> wrote in article
: <3347F7...@netcom.com>...
: > New to 4x4. Testing a 1992 Ford Explorer. Question on low range switch -
: > doesn't seem to work. But I don't really know what I'm doing.
: >
: > How should this switch be operated? When to use? How do I know if it is
: > working or not? If not working - what could be problem and cost to fix?
: >
: > Michael Bogan
Thank you for your responses. Switch works. Driver didn't, but now does.
Michael