1999 tracker,when I enaged the 4x4 it only stay in for a few seconds.It doesn't matter if it's 4h or low.It does enage into the transfer case.

back of transmission at transfer case will see actuator has wires and a connector the actuator has a habit of sticking sometimes from road salt/crud debris is non use sometimes able to free it up with lube

if the back wheels are still on the ground then it will not turn until you lift one wheel of the ground. In 4wd the front and rear drive shafts are locked together. There is no diff in the transfer case.

I have a 1999 chevy blazer that does the same thing, I was told to take out the transfer case and rebuild it

Often this is because of low freon there is a pressure switch on the accumulator can the big silver reservoir that switch .. Unplug that switch & jumper the the SW with a wire this should start clutch unless its a fuse,,

transfer case going out

The switch could be bad, but if you cannot select 4H or 2H, I would think the shift motor in the transfer case is the issue.
This is assuming when you posted "control switch be bad", that you have an ESOF ( Electronic Shift on the Fly ) system.

Some times the Shift motor in the transfer case hangs up, and tapping the back of the transfer case cures the problem. The other thing could be the connector on the transfer case is corroded, remove the connector, and check it for water and other junk, clean if necessary.

You can remove the switch from the dash, and check the resistance on it.


If you secure the truck ( chock the wheels, parking brake, etc ) and having someone turn the ESOF switch from 4L to 2H or 4H, while tapping on the transfer case, this would be a good place to start.

Check/change transfer case fluid and check the wire connection to it.

I also have a 97 F-150 4x4. If that was my truck I first would change the fluid in the transfer case. See if that helps loosen it up. It is possible that it has the wrong fluid in it.

there is a contact that closes when the 4 wheel drive engages and turns the light on, if the switch has been turned on and the contact does not make a good connection then the control module see's this as a problem and starts blinking the light, this is all part of the motor on the transfer case.

There is a vacuum switch on the transfer case that goes bad. Check to see if you have vacuum to the actuator for the front axle when it is engaged. The actuator is located on the right fender area under the battery I think. Check the hose also.