88 bronco wont switch into 4L

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:34 pm

I have my 88 bronco I just picked up and as I was out playing around I found I couldnt get it to switch into 4L. It will go back and forth from 4h to 2h without issue but when trying to get it to go from 4h to 4L its not happening the light just continues to flash. I tried it from a 100% stop, from a slight roll in Neutral and just about every other way I could think of. I just am not sure what else it could be or where I need to start. I got under the vehicle and checked the wires and they were all plugged in but not even fully sure I know which ones to check. You can here the 4x4 computer under passengers side dash working but its just not cycling in.

ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED

Agui-E7TE · Post by **Agui-E7TE** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 12:53 am

So I assume you have a pushbutton 4x4 BW1356 T-case. If the motor is switching it from 2 hi to 4 hi and not to 4 low, it might have internal problems or the SOTF computer might not be working or their could be a short in the harness. I would start by hitting the motor while someone shifts it into 4 low and see if it works. Most of the time it works by just hitting it.

If it doesn't work, take the motor off and see if you can spin it 280 degrees counter clockwise from the 2 Hi position to the 4 Low position. If it goes in fine then at least you know its an electrical issue.

I have an '89 and I swapped to an electric case while I rebuild my manual case so I've been having to shift it manually when I need 4wd in the dirt.

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:11 am

Agui-E7TE wrote:So I assume you have a pushbutton 4x4 BW1356 T-case. If the motor is switching it from 2 hi to 4 hi and not to 4 low, it might have internal problems or the SOTF computer might not be working or their could be a short in the harness. I would start by hitting the motor while someone shifts it into 4 low and see if it works. Most of the time it works by just hitting it.

If it doesn't work, take the motor off and see if you can spin it 280 degrees counter clockwise from the 2 Hi position to the 4 Low position. If it goes in fine then at least you know its an electrical issue.

I have an '89 and I swapped to an electric case while I rebuild my manual case so I've been having to shift it manually when I need 4wd in the dirt.

Thanks, I do have the push button and am looking into the manual swap out. It sure is nice to just hit a button but much more assuring to move the stick and KNOW its in 4x4

Deleted Account · Post by **Deleted Account** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:53 am

just get a manual t case.... fixed for good.

Agui-E7TE · Post by **Agui-E7TE** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:04 am

And make sure you keep oil in it other wise it wont shift and then 200 miles later it'll let go.. ask me how I know

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:48 am

Agui-E7TE wrote:And make sure you keep oil in it other wise it wont shift and then 200 miles later it'll let go.. ask me how I know

Im hoping my local Junkyard has one for me to trade for

300 · Post by **300** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:54 pm

When I had trouble with mine, it was always related to the position switch on the motor. The first time the contact plate had come unglued from the gear, and it did not know where it was. Glued it back on. Second time some moisture had gotten in there and corroded the contacts off the fingers that contact the switch plate, and again it did not know where it was to shift. I got an entire motor and gear unit from PNP and found it was jammed against end of the gear travel and would not have worked in that truck. Contacts were fine though and has worked OK since. If you pull the motor/gear off, it should rotate as was mentioned above, and in fact there are marks on the exterior of the case to indicate each position. This has been covered before, and I thought someone had said there was kit or device to make an electric manually operable. They are also known to be too stiff to work in extremely cold conditions. At best you always hold your breath when using the electric unit and marvel when it actually works...........

Tchajagos · Post by **Tchajagos** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:35 pm

I wish mine worked everytime. It seems that on mine atleast the magnets in the motor are strong enough to stick to the case and cause it to not spin freely. Do I just have to get a new one? Too much play? Best way to fix it?

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:26 pm

I just acquired a manual tranfer case today

baja-chris · Post by **baja-chris** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:10 pm

Agui-E7TE wrote:And make sure you keep oil in it other wise it wont shift and then 200 miles later it'll let go.. ask me how I know

I have a BW1356 in both my bronco and my f350. Many years ago I towed my boat from san diego to the river outside yuma with no oil in the f350 transfer case and made it half way back before the tranfer case died. About 250 miles. So I'd say your estimate is pretty good! Anyone else want to verify this?

Silverslk · Post by **Silverslk** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:12 pm

baja-chris wrote:
Agui-E7TE wrote:And make sure you keep oil in it other wise it wont shift and then 200 miles later it'll let go.. ask me how I know
I have a BW1356 in both my bronco and my f350. Many years ago I towed my boat from san diego to the river outside yuma with no oil in the f350 transfer case and made it half way back before the tranfer case died. About 250 miles. So I'd say your estimate is pretty good! Anyone else want to verify this?

I'll take both your word for it. I don't want to research this myself.

Agui-E7TE · Post by **Agui-E7TE** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:17 pm

The odd thing is it started working momentarily right before I took it out

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 10:35 am

definitely will let you guy stay the experts here lol