f@#$%*g explorer 4WD!!

I recently bought a 92 explorer at an auction. I got a pretty good deal
on it, or so I thought. The 4x4 didn't work, but I diagnosed it myself
as a shot hub. For the next few days after replacing the hub, it worked
fine. Then, when I hit the button to get up a muddy trail during
hunting season, the light next to the 4x4 button went on, but not the
one near the steering wheel. Needless to say, the 4x4 didnt work. After
troubleshooting for a while, I gave up. A few weeks later, I tried it
again. Now neither light went on. Since I didn't need 4x4, I didnt have
much ambition to pay to get it fixed, so I left it. Now that it's
winter, well, that ambition came back. I tried the 4x4 again, and this
time, everything worked for a few days. Then it quit, and an even more
serious problem arose. Not only does the 4x4 completely not work (and
neither light turns on), but I'm leaking brake fluid. Not at an
alarming rate, but quick enough that I have to put flid in at least
once a week or I'll loose my rear brakes, yet slow enough that I can't
find where the leak is coming from.
As for the solution, I've heard anything from fuses to relays, switches
and seals... any of several dozen items ranging in price from $.05 to
$300. The reason I suspect the 4x4 and brakes are related is cause I
saw on another newsgroup that some part of the 4x4 is connected to the
master cylinder and failure of that seal can cause a fluid leak along
with loss of 4x4.
Just looking for some opinions on where to start. With so many fuses,
relays, seals, hoses and expensive parts between the switch and front
wheels, I really don't feel like tearing too much apart.
What ever happened to the days of reaching down and pulling the lever
for your 4x4? It was so much easier to deal with than this electric
crap.
Thanks for any help.

Most common thing I've heard of going on the 4wd system on those is the
shift selonoid. Find it on the t-case, remove, clean, reinstall. Try your
4x4. If it doesn't work, try tapping on the shift selonoid with a hammer.

For the brakes, try supporting the rear of the truck and have someone pump
the brakes while you inspect every inch from rear to master and front to
master. Probably the rear wheel cylinders since you say you are loosing rear
brakes.

HTH, let us know what it is when you find it.

carl


"George Mikaya" > wrote in message
...
> I recently bought a 92 explorer at an auction. I got a pretty good deal
> on it, or so I thought. The 4x4 didn't work, but I diagnosed it myself
> as a shot hub. For the next few days after replacing the hub, it worked
> fine. Then, when I hit the button to get up a muddy trail during
> hunting season, the light next to the 4x4 button went on, but not the
> one near the steering wheel. Needless to say, the 4x4 didnt work. After
> troubleshooting for a while, I gave up. A few weeks later, I tried it
> again. Now neither light went on. Since I didn't need 4x4, I didnt have
> much ambition to pay to get it fixed, so I left it. Now that it's
> winter, well, that ambition came back. I tried the 4x4 again, and this
> time, everything worked for a few days. Then it quit, and an even more
> serious problem arose. Not only does the 4x4 completely not work (and
> neither light turns on), but I'm leaking brake fluid. Not at an
> alarming rate, but quick enough that I have to put flid in at least
> once a week or I'll loose my rear brakes, yet slow enough that I can't
> find where the leak is coming from.
> As for the solution, I've heard anything from fuses to relays, switches
> and seals... any of several dozen items ranging in price from $.05 to
> $300. The reason I suspect the 4x4 and brakes are related is cause I
> saw on another newsgroup that some part of the 4x4 is connected to the
> master cylinder and failure of that seal can cause a fluid leak along
> with loss of 4x4.
> Just looking for some opinions on where to start. With so many fuses,
> relays, seals, hoses and expensive parts between the switch and front
> wheels, I really don't feel like tearing too much apart.
> What ever happened to the days of reaching down and pulling the lever
> for your 4x4? It was so much easier to deal with than this electric
> crap.
> Thanks for any help.

Aw, cool down... <g>

First it is 12 years old, at least.
Second, it probably hasn't seen maintenance for the last five or six
years...
Third, it is one of those screwy pushbutton systems (sorry to those
who like them...)

Fix one problem at a time.

First fix the brakes before you have an accident. Probalby rusted
lines, leaking wheel cylinders and calipers. Safety first.

Then start with the four wheel drive parts. Start at the tcase, and
make sure it is working as expected Then move to the axel, and fix
that up if required. Finally go to the wheels and make sure the hubs
are working correctly.

If you need something more reliable I'd suggest trading it in for a
new(er) vehicle.

Also, not to insult you, but you seem to be technically
unsophsticated. (the brakes are not connected to the four wheel
drive...) Self fixing can be a great learning experience but trust me,
if reliability is important get it fixed by someone who will warranty
their work, and who you trust.

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:20:53 GMT, George Mikaya >
wrote:

>I recently bought a 92 explorer at an auction. I got a pretty good deal
>on it, or so I thought. The 4x4 didn't work, but I diagnosed it myself
>as a shot hub. For the next few days after replacing the hub, it worked
>fine. Then, when I hit the button to get up a muddy trail during
>hunting season, the light next to the 4x4 button went on, but not the
>one near the steering wheel. Needless to say, the 4x4 didnt work. After
>troubleshooting for a while, I gave up. A few weeks later, I tried it
>again. Now neither light went on. Since I didn't need 4x4, I didnt have
>much ambition to pay to get it fixed, so I left it. Now that it's
>winter, well, that ambition came back. I tried the 4x4 again, and this
>time, everything worked for a few days. Then it quit, and an even more
>serious problem arose. Not only does the 4x4 completely not work (and
>neither light turns on), but I'm leaking brake fluid. Not at an
>alarming rate, but quick enough that I have to put flid in at least
>once a week or I'll loose my rear brakes, yet slow enough that I can't
>find where the leak is coming from.
>As for the solution, I've heard anything from fuses to relays, switches
>and seals... any of several dozen items ranging in price from $.05 to
>$300. The reason I suspect the 4x4 and brakes are related is cause I
>saw on another newsgroup that some part of the 4x4 is connected to the
>master cylinder and failure of that seal can cause a fluid leak along
>with loss of 4x4.
>Just looking for some opinions on where to start. With so many fuses,
>relays, seals, hoses and expensive parts between the switch and front
>wheels, I really don't feel like tearing too much apart.
>What ever happened to the days of reaching down and pulling the lever
>for your 4x4? It was so much easier to deal with than this electric
>crap.
>Thanks for any help.

"George Mikaya" > wrote in message
...
>I recently bought a 92 explorer at an auction. I got a pretty good deal
> on it, or so I thought. The 4x4 didn't work, but I diagnosed it myself
> as a shot hub. For the next few days after replacing the hub, it worked
> fine. Then, when I hit the button to get up a muddy trail during
> hunting season, the light next to the 4x4 button went on, but not the
> one near the steering wheel. Needless to say, the 4x4 didnt work. After
> troubleshooting for a while, I gave up. A few weeks later, I tried it
> again. Now neither light went on. Since I didn't need 4x4, I didnt have
> much ambition to pay to get it fixed, so I left it. Now that it's
> winter, well, that ambition came back. I tried the 4x4 again, and this
> time, everything worked for a few days. Then it quit, and an even more
> serious problem arose. Not only does the 4x4 completely not work (and
> neither light turns on), but I'm leaking brake fluid. Not at an
> alarming rate, but quick enough that I have to put flid in at least
> once a week or I'll loose my rear brakes, yet slow enough that I can't
> find where the leak is coming from.
> As for the solution, I've heard anything from fuses to relays, switches
> and seals... any of several dozen items ranging in price from $.05 to
> $300. The reason I suspect the 4x4 and brakes are related is cause I
> saw on another newsgroup that some part of the 4x4 is connected to the
> master cylinder and failure of that seal can cause a fluid leak along
> with loss of 4x4.
> Just looking for some opinions on where to start. With so many fuses,
> relays, seals, hoses and expensive parts between the switch and front
> wheels, I really don't feel like tearing too much apart.
> What ever happened to the days of reaching down and pulling the lever
> for your 4x4? It was so much easier to deal with than this electric
> crap.
> Thanks for any help.

The rear brake lines on Explorers tend to rot out over the rear axle .I've
seen 2 do this in the same general area.Mud collects there causing this.
Good luck on the 4X4 issue.

Ed