Rear axle stays locked

[bigb]

This weekend I did some beach cruising. I used the sand drive mode which shifted me into 4HI and locked the rear axle. I noticed something odd. If I shifted back to normal drive mode it would return to 2WD and the rear axle would unlock, but if I stopped in sand mode, shut the engine off, then later restarted the engine without selecting the sand mode the drive mode would go to normal but it would stay in 4HI and the axle would stay locked. Then I could shift to 2HI with the console button and the axle would still stay locked. I'd have to use the touch screen to unlock it.

This is probably normal but I need to read up on it. It did great in the sand BTW, even the deep, dry sand. This electronic 4x4 is going to take some getting used to though, I'm used to simple manual 4x4 with shift levers.

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[NM Mike]

I wonder if there is a sequence that needs to be followed when shifting from 4Hi to 4 Low, and unlocking the rear differential? I haven’t had the opportunity to play with 4x4 or differential lock much yet, other than just to try it out and verify that they worked.

 

[fueler]

Mine does something similar to this if I go to tow mode. Then when I park, shut off the engine and come back later the cluster will ask if I want to stay in tow mode. I answer no with the steering wheel button. It goes back to normal mode but stays in AWD so I have to push the button for 2wd. Not a big deal but sounds kind of like what yours does.

 

[got3fords]

Mine does something similar to this if I go to tow mode. Then when I park, shut off the engine and come back later the cluster will ask if I want to stay in tow mode. I answer no with the steering wheel button. It goes back to normal mode but stays in AWD so I have to push the button for 2wd. Not a big deal but sounds kind of like what yours does.

Found this thread looking for 4WD in tow mode. I have only put it in tow mode once, but I noticed it shifted into 4WD. Why? Can you use tow mode in 2WD? Did I do something wrong when selecting tow mode?

 

[BeachRaptor]

This weekend I did some beach cruising. I used the sand drive mode which shifted me into 4HI and locked the rear axle. I noticed something odd. If I shifted back to normal drive mode it would return to 2WD and the rear axle would unlock, but if I stopped in sand mode, shut the engine off, then later restarted the engine without selecting the sand mode the drive mode would go to normal but it would stay in 4HI and the axle would stay locked. Then I could shift to 2HI with the console button and the axle would still stay locked. I'd have to use the touch screen to unlock it.

This is probably normal but I need to read up on it. It did great in the sand BTW, even the deep, dry sand. This electronic 4x4 is going to take some getting used to though, I'm used to simple manual 4x4 with shift levers.

I haven't had the Raptor on the sand yet. Took my Rubi out many times. But you shouldn't need to do anything for beach driving other than air down, turn on 4WD and turn off traction control. I've never had to engage the lockers on the beach.

ETA: I read the section in the manual that excludes the Raptors. It does say the rear locker is engaged automatically in sand mode. Not sure why they would do that. Can't answer for the rest of it though. I thought everything was supposed to return to normal on restart too.

 

[fueler]

Found this thread looking for 4WD in tow mode. I have only put it in tow mode once, but I noticed it shifted into 4WD. Why? Can you use tow mode in 2WD? Did I do something wrong when selecting tow mode?

Yes you can put it in 2wd while keeping in tow mode. Takes advantage of different shift points is all I recognize when doing this. I agree, very odd to go into awd mode, probably a safety thing should it be raining?

 

[Grand Nat]

I don't even bother to put it in sand mode I just input everything in manually while in normal mode. I use 4 wheel high then continually hold the traction control button down to disable the traction and advanced traction control. (This will be shown on you dash panel) and lock or unlock the rear as I please. If you give this a try you will understand what I am doing if you are on the beach often. You can also use the progressive shift to limit upshifts if you don't want to bog down your engine in the sand. Not sure why you Ranger was acting up.

 

[purdyd]

I noticed in one of the updates it mentioned the locked differential light would sometimes be on when it wasn’t.

 

[got3fords]

Yes you can put it in 2wd while keeping in tow mode. Takes advantage of different shift points is all I recognize when doing this. I agree, very odd to go into awd mode, probably a safety thing should it be raining?

Ok, so how do you do that? Tow mode in 2WD.

 

[fueler]

the round mode dial, just push the 2wd button and boom, there you go.

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