I need to know if the shift motor wiring runs through the radio harness. The radio was ripped out and now the 4x4 wont shift . I checked the shift motor and it still works fine, just not at the switch.

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

it needs a new 4x4 module it is located behind the glove box. but it needs to beprogrammed at the dealer . sorry

Okay, there are a few reasons that this could happen, one being the selector motor which you have replaced so lets go to the next thing which is the fuse, when the motor goes bad it will blow fuse sometimes so check all fuses even under the hood fuse box, i think its a 20 amp fuse but test all of them.

The next problem could be a bad ground, run a new ground wire from the front diff to the frame of the truck.

try these tests and let me know the out come then we can move on, good day, also there is a lot of info on this problem on the web, type in 1999 ranger blinking 4x4 lights, good day

Something you might find handy is a signal tracer (about $40) which can be used in the home or auto. It has 2 components and creates a signal into the wire which allows you to follow that signal down the wire to find the break. (Lowes, Home Depot) Has connectors for fuse panel holders.

You do not want to directly jump 12 volts into the shift motor. The voltage the shift motor receives determines the length the solenoid extends to give you different functions. The 4x4 selector changes the voltage for each function. ONE thing you can check is the light bulb for the 4x4 selector knob. There have been reports on this site that a burned out light bulb can change the voltage for the 4x4 selector. Myself, it seems strange because the lightbulb is off until the headlights, etc. are turned on, so it would make no sense to effect the 4x4 selector during daylight.

Since you have a duplicate shift solenoid you may be able to plug in the wiring harness and ground the extra shift solenoid to aid in diagnosing the problem.

You could loosen up the fuse box holding these particular wires and check them on their backsides. Also check to see if there is a shift selector relay.

Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) Operation
The ESOF system is an electronic shift 4x4 system that allows the operator to choose between two different 4x4 modes as well as 2-wheel drive. The operator can switch between 2WD and 4WD HIGH mode at speed. To engage or disengage LOW Range, the vehicle speed must be less than 5 kph, the brake depressed, and the transmission must be in NEUTRAL.

The transfer case is equipped with an electromagnetic clutch which is located inside the case. This clutch is used to spin up the front drive-line when shifting from 2WD to 4x4 High mode at speed. When the control switch on the instrument panel is turned, the generic electronic module (GEM) recognizes that a shift has been requested and activates the electromagnetic clutch and the relays which power the transfer case shift motor. When the shift motor reaches the desired position as determined by the contact plate position inputs to the GEM, power to the shift relays and motors will be removed. When the transfer case front and rear output shafts are synchronized, the spring loaded lockup collar mechanically engages the main-shaft hub to the drive sprocket. Finally, the front axle collar is engaged and the electromagnetic clutch is deactivated.

Shift Between 2WD and 4x4 HIGH:
Shifts between 2WD and 4x4 HIGH can be made at speed. Listed below are the inputs and outputs needed by the GEM to execute a change between any of these modes.

Feature Inputs:
*4WD Mode Switch (Various resistances).
*Contact Plate Position Inputs A, B, C, D (grounded when closed, open circuit when open).

Feature Outputs:
*4x4 Shift Motor Relay Outputs
*Transfer Case Clutch Relay (grounded when relay is on, open circuit when relay is off).
*4x2/4x4 Vacuum Solenoid (grounded when activated, open circuit when deactivated).
*Cluster Indicators (ground when activated, open circuit when deactivated).

Shifting Into/Out of 4WD LOW:
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW, the GEM requires that the vehicle speed be less than 5 kph, the brake is applied, and the transmission is in NEUTRAL.

Feature Inputs:
*4WD Mode Switch (Various resistances).
*Contact Plate Position Inputs A, B, C, D (grounded when closed, open circuit when open).
*VSS Sensor (Sinusoid Signal: 0.7V-20V, 2.2 Hz/mph).
Brake Input (battery voltage when brake is depress, open circuit when not activated).
*Transmission Range Sensor (grounded when transmission is in NEUTRAL, open circuit otherwise).
8Start/Clutch Depressed Input

Feature Outputs:
*4x4 Shift Motor Relay Outputs
*4x2/4x4 Vacuum Solenoid (grounded when activated, open circuit when deactivated).
*Cluster Indicators (grounded when activated, open circuit when deactivated).

4WD Mode Switch
A rotary switch allows the vehicle operator to choose between 2WD, 4WD HIGH, and 4WD LOW modes of 4x4 operation.

GEM Module
The Generic Electronic Module (GEM) controls the operation of the 4x4 system

Vehicle Speed Sensor
The vehicle speed sensor (VSS), mounted in the rear of the transfer case, informs the GEM of the vehicle speed.

Transfer Case Shift Motor Sense Plates

The shift motor sense plate, an integral part of the electric shift motor, informs the GEM to the positions of the transfer case

Transmission Range Sensor
Located on the left side of the transmission, this sensor informs the GEM when the transmission is in the NEUTRAL position.

Electric Shift Motor
The electric shift motor, mounted externally at the rear of the transfer case, drives a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and range fork within the transfer case to select between the 2WD, 4WD HIGH, and 4WD LOW positions.

4x4/4x2 Vacuum Solenoids
These two solenoids are attached to the upper RH side of the engine compartment dash, and alternately route vacuum to the vacuum motor which engages/disengages the center axle disconnect collar in the front axle assembly.

4x4 Shift Motor Relay
A module containing two relays which under the control of the GEM, shift the transfer case shift motor between the 2WD, 4WD HIGH, and 4WD LOW modes.

Transfer Case Clutch Relay
An electromechanical relay is used to activate the transfer case clutch within the transfer case.

Good luck and hope this helps,but start with the simple and check the fuses and wire harness. Both white/light blue stripe wires should have 12V in run. The GEM will ground the left side (closest to engine) solenoid to disengage the front axle. It will ground the the right side solenoid (closest to fender) to engage the front axle. If the GEM doesn't see Neutral it will not let the truck come out of 4Lo. If the GEM had water leaking on it it may well be the root of the problem. The shift motor only has power when the GEM sends it a signal to move the shift lever. Once the shift is completed the motor shuts off. There are 2 wires that control the shift motor. A yellow and an orange. The GEM alternates between 12v and Ground to these wires to control which way the motor turns. The GEM uses the transfer case shift relay module to control the power to the motor. There are contact plates inside the shift motor assembly that indicate the position that the shift lever is in. This is what the GEM used to know what the T-case is doing. Any one of these components can fail.

Check the fuse to the 4x4, if the fuse is good then check the 4x4 electric motor actuator on the transfer case. You should hear it work from 2wd, 4hi to 4low and back to 2wd with the push of the switch. if you don't hear it working then check the wire harness at the actuator motor, look for any damages like corrosion or cracked wire connector clips. If the 4x4 actuator is working on the transfer case. There is a vacuum switch on the top of the transfer case, driver side but when that fails, your front hub stay's locked in the on position. Good luck and keep me posted and hope it's a simple fuse that has gone bad. You can pick up all these parts at Auto Zone or Parts Source and they will have the step by step instructions for you to get the job done with common tools. Replacing the vacuum switch on top of the transfer case take about 15 min to replace if you don't have to jack up the Jimmy if not 30 min if you have to jack it up. Be safe and keep me posted, be glad to know your go it working again.

the brown wire is for the electromagnet inside the transfer case to engage the clutch if the wire is broken right at the case the magnet will need to be replaced

Do you need the engine harness, dash harness.? where is your problem?

have the shift solenoid checked out to see if its faulty.

Your transfer case could be locked up. Try pulling the shifter motor (servo) off of the transfer case and manually shifting the vehicle into 4x4. Make sure to block the wheels as it will roll if you shift into neutral. If you cant shift it, you need to have a professional look at the insides of your transfer case.