# 4 wheel drive issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford\ **Created:** [November 25, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4-wheel-drive-issues/96672 "2016-11-25T16:15:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Inman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Jeff\_Inman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeff_Inman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4-wheel-drive-issues/96672/1 "2016-11-25T16:15:53Z")
Hey guys I’ve got a 2002 Ford explorer sport 4 wheel drive and the 4 wheel drive has stopped working. It worked fine a year ago when I bought it but has stopped working. Is there a fuse that could have blown and stopped it from working? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4-wheel-drive-issues/96672/2 "2016-11-25T21:18:16Z")
looking at the ford explorer chat rooms there is a fuse for that, start there. Any flashing lights? Here is a possible help forum to explore. > **[4WD Not engaging?????PLEASE HELP????](http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/4wd-not-engaging-please-help.202197/)** > > Well we got alot alot of snow here latly and I have a 2002 Explorer 4WD with the 4.0l and my 4WD will not engage not even 4X4 auto will...it stays in... ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4-wheel-drive-issues/96672/3 "2016-11-25T22:16:28Z")
Corrosion is common on rarely used electrical systems. Switch, relay, shift motor and every plug in the series may be a corrosion fault. Inside the switch or relay is pretty hard to tell but ( after checking the fuse ) start by UN-plugging and RE-plugging components along the chain of command. not a real easy job to prove out if there’s a completely bad component without knowing the circuits to test and when. - - this brings it to a shop. - - * * * The reason I speak of corrosion over time goes back to my 92 Explorer. twice . . with lack of use over mild winters and of course summers . . . my switch did nothing too. When a tech traced it to the shift motor not engaging . . I tried an experiment. Since it was my own truck, if the experiment failed, it was just my own time spent. - - on the shift motor where the wires enter through a cover with three screws. . I took off the cover . . cleaned the contact fingers inside . . Re-assembled ( careful to align the cap right ) and . . ? A working shift motor once again. not to say this is your problem , but it sure sounds all too familiar. We soon discovered that off-the-books solution to be an answer to many ( not all ) diagnoses of a bad shift motor. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4-wheel-drive-issues/96672/4 "2016-11-25T23:07:52Z")
Here is an exchange between a mechanic and some one with the same problem… the most common problem for this year and vehicle is the 4x4 module goes bad and needs to be repalced Steve : If the light is not coming on and no4x4 more than likely the module needs replaced JACUSTOMER-h0em0b6h- : Is a module the same as a sensor and therefore something a mechanic needs to replace Steve : no the module is the computer under the passenger side dash Steve : It is easy to replace but I would recommend diag first JACUSTOMER-h0em0b6h- : No warning light on module going bad and I guess explains why the it the auto 4wd doesn’t engage Steve : check for codes with a special tester that most shops have JACUSTOMER-h0em0b6h- : Sounds like I need an appointment with ford to run diagnostics and replace module Steve :