My electric shift motor on my 1993 ford ranger extra cab works until you turn it off but then if you try to engage it again, it wont unless you wait a few hours and then it'll do it again.

90% of the time it is your transfer case shift motor!

Remove the cover of the transfer case shift motor (3 tamper resistant tore screws) making sure to mark the position of cover carefully as to get it back on in the same way it comes off. Inside you will find a round slip plate that some copper contacts run on. I usually clean these with some electronic cleaner, then gently bend the little fingers that are inside there, so they make a better contact on the circuit board. Apply some dielectric grease to protect from moisture and reassemble.

Here's a great video on how to do it.

1989 1992 Ford Ranger Shift Motor Repair

Ford Rangers and Mazda b-series vehicles are the same. I would be willing to bet it is a problem with your shift motor. There is a sensor on the motor that tells the "shift computer" where it is in regards to position. The sensor has a ceramic disk that is glued to a shaft. The glue dries out and the disk doesn't spin with the shaft, so the computer doesn't know the position. You can disassemble the shift motor and re-glue, or just replace the entire shift motor assembly. It's $85 - $100 for a remanufactured unit from Napa (or similar). I just did this for my '94 Ranger, tore it apart and fixed it.

Before doing any of that I would check the 4x4 fuse in the box under the hood. The other fuse to check is inside the cab. It is on the same circuit as the warning lights (if your dash warning lights work, that fuse is fine).

Here's a guide for troubleshooting other transfer case issues.

Transfer Case Troubleshooting The Ranger Station

4x4 fuses in the owners manual. First crawl under the truck and TAP on the shift motor with a hammer. If its electric, they are notorious for the contacts rusting inside the motor. Then try it. TAP dont HIT.

Your transfer case motor is not fully engaging

if the actuateor is vacumed,you might have have a hose that came off or it has a split in it somewhere,check that.or if you have posilock hubs one or both may be wore out or lacking grease,they are easy to remove,just a hex wrench and snapring pliers is all you need,remove and inspect for obvious sighns of wear.

try shifting it to neutral and wait a few seconds,if it still flashes try shifting it to drive and wait a few seconds,then reverse.if it still doesnt lock in then move the vehicle a few feet either forward or reverse,worst case the electric motor on the transfercase is bad

When you turn the dial to 4 wheel drive it controls a solonoid unit that then controls the electric motor that shifts the trasfer case to 4X4. The clicking sound that you are hearing is probobly the solonoid unit (4x4 control unit) engaging or trying to engage the trasfer case motor. From what I,ve heard the solonoid unit is located behind the plastic panel that is under the glove box and before the passenger side door. Moisture can build up in that area and ruin the solinoid unit over time. Check any fuses that have any thing to do with the 4x4. If the solonoid unit or fuses is not the problem, I would check the wireing to the electric transfer case motor and the motor itself. Good luck and God bless!

try looking at the fusible link that is bolted to the starter solenoid.pull on the wires that bolt to it and if one strechy fealing then you need to rep,lace it.

If it's shift on the fly 4x4(electric shift) try lightly tapping on the 4x4 electic motor on the transfer case.if if works,replace the motor.water and dirt get into the electric motor,causing it to stick.

There is a motor on the rear of the tranny that switches this. check the plug and it is easy to remove the motor and test its operation. then there is a keyway that you can easily turn with a small blade screwdriver...., Odd but there are no vacuum hoses going to the transmission... OH rats unless it is an automatic... but still the 4WD shifting is electrical..