Burning smell, coolant, 4wd drive not working

[Rudolphthered]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2021 Base, and this weekend I was out enjoying the great outdoors when I got stuck trying to go around a tree.

Once we made it to the top of the hill, my buddies and I noticed a burnt smell. After checking things over, we found that I was low on coolant and my 4WD had stopped working.

We topped off the coolant and headed home, but the burnt smell never really went away. Even after running a few errands today, I noticed it again.

Any advice or ideas on what I should check would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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[CitrusBronco]

Be as descriptive as possible and it will help the good folks with a diagnosis.

What error did it give when 4wd did not work?
What was the transfer case in? 4h, 4l, auto.
What does the burnt smell, smell like? Oil, coolant, electrical, brakes.
Did 4wd work on the way down and does it work now?
Did you look underneath for any oil marks or wet spots?

 

[BudgetBronco]

Also, manual or automatic transmission? If manual, it is possible to have a burnt smell coming from clutch if you were working it hard while trying to get unstuck. But that smell should go away after a while, and would not explain the 4WD error message.

Another question I would have, are you sure the coolant was full before you started the trip? I ask because a lot of people including myself were surprised at some point that the coolant tank level had dropped a good bit. It seems like a common thing that these engines 'burp' at some point at the level goes way down, but a simple top off is the trick.

 

[Rudolphthered]

Sorry everyone, New to posting. Hard to post from phone.

Its a 2.7L Manual. I added a rear locker. A few weeks ago, the local dealership replaced the passenger side axle, cause I tore the boot...

I just check the diff level, and the oil is clear with zero metal shavings.

What error did it give when 4wd did not work?
No errors at all. The only way I have noticed is my steering isn't tight when I turn on pavement.

What was the transfer case in? 4h, 4l, auto.
Don't have auto, just low and high

What does the burnt smell, smell like? Oil, coolant, electrical, brakes.
I think it was clutch. The coolant was low when we looked, so we topped it off and it was low again today. I topped it off and did a pressure test up to 21KPI and it held steady for about 15 minutes till I drained it.

As for the smell, I think its clutch, but I am not possible. My clutch is lighter to the touch now. But I had a faint smell coming back from running around this morning.

Did 4wd work on the way down and does it work now?
the last time I knew my 4wd actually worked was last Wednesday when we took her out.

Did you look underneath for any oil marks or wet spots?
Nothing, just dried dirt and more dirt. No indication that I have ever had oil leaks.

 

[CalvinT]

Its a 2.7L Manual

They don't make a 2.7L manual. Do you mean 2.3L manual?

 

[CitrusBronco]

Sounds like you need to verify the 4x4 is not working, kind of just guessing right now. if something where broken you should hear it. If the electronics are at fault but no code is coming up sounds like a trip to a dealer.
Jacking up all 4 corners is going to be the easy way to see if they all turn or not with 4wd engaged.

I’d guess you identify the clutch as likely cause of the smell.
Might be good idea to have a mechanic look it over before you have no clutch left.

 

[Montana Bronco]

Its a 2.7L Manual. .

I will pay you one billion dollars for your Bronco.

 

[3People1Body]

I will pay you one billion dollars for your Bronco.

For that money, I'll make you one... Any preference on color?

 

[Rydfree]

For that money, I'll make you one... Any preference on color?

Better get a deposit. Those manual guys are kinda shady.

 

[Montana Bronco]

For that money, I'll make you one... Any preference on color?

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