4A issues. ford says this is normal?

[StickerFab]

I have the same issue with 4A in my badlands 4-door Bronco. I notice it when I have 4A on, and the slippery patches are intermittent (some ice and some standard road) and when I need to make a U-turn. I felt the binding and hoped I didn't roast my transmission. Its been fine 1 summer after that so I'm really not sure. Glad I'm not alone I guess but my gut says it doesn't feel right and that there is an issue that ford needs to correct in terms of the clutch slippage programming (probably specific to tight turns). @Ford Motor Company would really appreciate if you could track this down and start tracking cases, I feel its a real issue on the bronco that needs your help.

I definitely noticed the binding when making U turns on very wet and slippery roads. I don't even try to use 4A anymore. There's some good traffic around here and I just make the best out of what I'm working with.

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[joes bronco]

your Bronco doesn't have all-wheel drive? Oh, you mean Ford's Advanced 4x4 with the different transfer case.

Yes it has the advanced 4x4 but it's only active in 4 high, turns off in 4 low. Pretty sure it will activate in most all the modes mud, slippery, snow etc. but I never use those dumb to me modes, last thing I need is the computer telling me how to drive. When I need 4 high or 4 low I push the button, pretty simple isn't it.

 

[adam1991]

last thing I need is the computer telling me how to drive. When I need 4 high or 4 low I push the button, pretty simple isn't it.

...for you.

Now look at the big world around you, and consider that Ford sells to that big world.

 

[HCGxKaLiBeR]

If you engage 4A and look at the infotainment power distribution screen. You will see it engages the front axle when driving below 20 - 30 mph.

The transfer case clutch is engaged but not fully locked. Slight binding is probably expected. This is why I normally don't use 4A eventhough it can be used on dry roads. I just don't want to wear out the clutch so quick.

 

[Los]

I recently drove coast to coast and back, used my sports mode 50% of time during my travel in heavy rain and dry weather, on off road and highways and never felt any unusual indications of any problem while in 4A. 7,500 miles

 

[Ducati1098]

If you engage 4A and look at the infotainment power distribution screen. You will see it engages the front axle when driving below 20 - 30 mph.

If you watch it when you’re turning, it’s completely different than just accelerating. It isn’t supplying power to the front like it is in a straight line.

The whole thread is about turning into a parking spot. Off the throttle turning into a parking spot the front isn’t engaged at all, so no binding should be present. I just did a bunch of tight turns in a parking lot because I rarely use 4A and not once did I feel any binding.

 

[adam1991]

I just watched a couple videos from a couple of years ago, a tech who very very very clearly knew absolutely nothing about this but insisted he was the expert. And when called out on it, and when confronted with the facts, his clear lack of understanding of the product, and the documentation, he not only doubled down on his ignorance--he called people names because they weren't joining him in his world of ignorance.

 

[Fordified1]

If you watch it when you’re turning, it’s completely different than just accelerating. It isn’t supplying power to the front like it is in a straight line.

The whole thread is about turning into a parking spot. Off the throttle turning into a parking spot the front isn’t engaged at all, so no binding should be present. I just did a bunch of tight turns in a parking lot because I rarely use 4A and not once did I feel any binding.

Curious if you tried it in slippery mode also. A few posts back a member said that slippery mode engaged 4wd a little differently for him (slower speeds?). He was watching his screen that shows power distribution and compared sport and slippery I believe.

I tend to believe, as you said, it’s not normal at that low of a speed. Stuff happens… maybe it didn’t release 4wd and it was a one time thing. My rear locker got stuck engaged the other day. Only knew because I felt it when I turned onto the road from my gravel driveway. I had to flip the switch to engaged again then again to release it. I had been moving trailers around on the side of a hill on my property.

 

[Ducati1098]

Curious if you tried it in slippery mode also. A few posts back a member said that slippery mode engaged 4wd a little differently for him (slower speeds?). He was watching his screen that shows power distribution and compared sport and slippery I believe.

I tend to believe, as you said, it’s not normal at that low of a speed. Stuff happens… maybe it didn’t release 4wd and it was a one time thing. My rear locker got stuck engaged the other day. Only knew because I felt it when I turned onto the road from my gravel driveway. I had to flip the switch to engaged again then again to release it. I had been moving trailers around on the side of a hill on my property.

No I wasn’t in any goat mode. Just pressed the 4A button. I’ll try it again tomorrow in slippery mode to see if there’s any difference.

 

[tourproto]

I understand your point, but 4A works fine most of the time on all surfaces. I am approaching the point where I am confident that 4A can tolerate full time daily use.

There is some chatter/drag at low speed high steering angles that can be induced, but it doesn't appear to be a problem from the standpoint of reliability (n of 2). The easiest answer is to keep it in 2H if you are not happy with the low speed behavior.

I use 4A virtually all the time. 4H and 4L when offroading, and I can't remember the last time I was in 2H.

Never have chatter when parking or taking tight turns in 4A. But I am also in "normal" GOAT mode during regular driving. I also have the stock factory KO2 tires.

 

[UtahBrandon]

I didn't read the whole thread so maybe someone already addressed it, but I had the same problem and they replaced the Transfer Case Module under warranty and that definitely fixed the issue.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/updated-check-4x4-warning-alert-4a.32371/

 

[GreyBronco]

Hey everyone. Picked up a 22 Badlands fully loaded wirh 47K miles a few weeks ago. Haven't really used 4WD other than sport mode and Baja in the sand trails in my local Forrest. Used 4A slippery mode the other day and noticed when pulling into a parking spot at super slow speed the front wheels were chattering and the wheel had some resistance. I immediately knew something was wrong. Isn't the truck supposed to be in 2H until it detects traction issues or sharp turns in 4A? I know I read a few people had the same problems here and it ended up either being the TCM or the transfer case.

Called the dealership I got the vehilce from and the guy in the service department said that is normal, which I know is not the case.

Am I wrong or is the service guy ignorant?

I have been driving all wheel vehicles for a long time and the only odd thing is when you loose traction and applying the brake I've felt what feels and sounds like your in Park while moving. What your describing might be something you should get a second opinion on and probably use a shop that deals with all wheel drive or 4x4 vehicles. Good luck. Oh I have a Base with sasquatch and I love it. No noises except when stuck on a tree stump.

 

[BadlandsA51]

Why does everyone want to run in 4A on dry pavement? There is no benefit, it causes more wear and tear on driveline parts, and lowers fuel economy. 4A is very useful in the winter when you might need 4 wheel drive at times, but 4HI is not needed or appropriate. I just don’t see why 4A is needed on clean dry pavement, and using 4A constantly may even cause issues with the transfer case clutch having to slip every time you turn a corner, even if it’s not being applied. That wasn’t the design intent of 4A.

 

[andersman02]

Why does everyone want to run in 4A on dry pavement? There is no benefit, it causes more wear and tear on driveline parts, and lowers fuel economy. 4A is very useful in the winter when you might need 4 wheel drive at times, but 4HI is not needed or appropriate. I just don’t see why 4A is needed on clean dry pavement, and using 4A constantly may even cause issues with the transfer case clutch having to slip every time you turn a corner, even if it’s not being applied. That wasn’t the design intent of 4A.

Yuppp, agree 100%

 

[tourproto]

Why does everyone want to run in 4A on dry pavement? There is no benefit, it causes more wear and tear on driveline parts, and lowers fuel economy. 4A is very useful in the winter when you might need 4 wheel drive at times, but 4HI is not needed or appropriate. I just don’t see why 4A is needed on clean dry pavement, and using 4A constantly may even cause issues with the transfer case clutch having to slip every time you turn a corner, even if it’s not being applied. That wasn’t the design intent of 4A.

just curious, is there some ford documentation that states what you just said above?

because when I was at the offrodeo, I asked that question and the answer was that other than lower gas mileage, there is no downside to staying in 4A all the time.

And there is this from another B6G thread: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/updated-check-4x4-warning-alert-4a.32371/post-1083077

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