I have a '98 Xplorer 300 and the 4x4 function stopped working. I also noticed that the button that enables the 4X4 no longer lights up either. Think this problem is electrical or is deeper?

I did have the gear slector loosen up on me this past winter and gave me problems shifting. I tightened thing up and it shifted good. Could the 4x4 problem be related to that?

 

Yes, it could. If the shifter sensor thinks you are in neutral and not hi or lo or reverse, the AWD light will not come on and it will not power the hub coils.

 

The bulb has to be lit to work.Check the bulb.

 

Does the xplorer have gear selector lights? Like a N and R lights for reverse and neutral? If it does, make sure they light up correctly (IE no lights on in forward). If these all work correctly, try ftw's idea.

 

Pulled out the multimeter and diagram and I narrowed it down to the gear selector switch. Made a test jumper to jumper out the switch then my AWD light came on. I went and took apart the gear selector and sure enough the switch was tore up. I also noticed some broke parts in the gear selector as well.

Who has some of the better prices online? Looks like the gear selector assembly runs $250

 

check on ebay for a complete shifter but cross referance the parts by going to http://www.partsland.com/ and make sure it is the same as the one you need. Let me know what parts are bad and I may have some of them.