4 wheel drive mode stuck. Please help!

did you turn the locks on the wheels, or check the fuses

Your vehicle had option of two different 4x4 systems ,
New Venture Gear 263 Selectable Two Speed Transfer Case
The NVG 263 transfer case features a three button shift control switch located on the instrument panel. When the vehicle has the ignition key in the RUN position, the transfer case shift control module starts monitoring the transfer case shift control switch to determine if the driver desires a new mode/gear position. At a single press of the transfer case shift control switch, the lamp of the new desired position will begin flashing to inform the driver that the transfer case shift control module has received the request for a new mode/gear position. The lamp will continue to flash until all shifting criteria has been met and the new mode/gear position has been reached (or has been engaged). Once the new mode/gear position is fully active, the switch indicator lamp for the new position will remain ON constantly.
The NVG 263 transfer case provides the driver with 3 manual mode/gear positions:
• 2HI - 2 Wheel Drive high range
• 4HI - 4 Wheel Drive high range
• 4LO - 4 Wheel Drive low range
OR
The NVG 236/246 transfer case features a 4 button shift control switch located on the instrument panel. When the vehicle has the ignition key in the RUN position, the transfer case shift control module starts monitoring the transfer case shift control switch to determine if the driver desires a new mode/gear position. At a single press of the transfer case shift control switch, the lamp of the new desired position will begin flashing to inform the driver that the transfer case shift control module has received the request for a new mode/gear position. The lamp will continue to flash until all shifting criteria has been met and the new mode/gear position has been reached, or has been engaged. Once the new mode/gear position is fully active, the switch indicator lamp for the new position will remain ON constantly.
If there are problems with electronic part of the systems the shift control switch light will flash warning of a problem , If no lights you have a mechanical problem in the transfer case itself .
The front axle control circuit consists of an electric motor actuator which engages and disengages the front axle. The front axle actuator motor consists of a Permanent Magnetic (PM) motor, a worm gear controlled plunger, a front axle switch and an electronic control circuit all within the actuator assembly.
The front axle actuator has four circuits connected to it, a front axle feed circuit, front axle ground circuit, front axle control circuit and a front axle switch circuit.
Whenever a shift to AUTO 4WD, 4HI, or 4LO is requested, the transfer case shift control module engages the front axle by grounding the front axle control circuit through a current limiting driver. Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
Tests the electrical function of the front axle actuator. Helps determine between mechanical and electrical malfunctions.
Tests for proper power and ground at the front axle actuator.
Tests the operation of the front axle control circuit.
Helps determine if the transfer case shift control module is able to monitor the front axle switch.
Tests the front axle switch circuit for an open or high resistance.
Measures the voltage between the front axle feed circuit and ground.
Tests the front axle control circuit for an open or high resistance.
Inspects the front axle for a mechanical malfunction.
Tests for open in the front axle feed circuit.

The shift solenoid valves are two identical, electronic exhaust valves that control upshifts and downshifts in all forward gear ranges. These valves are normally open. These shift solenoid valves work together in a combination of ON and OFF sequences in order to control the positions of the 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shift valve trains. The TCM monitors numerous inputs to determine the appropriate solenoid state combination and transmission gear for the vehicle operating conditions.
Remove the transmission side cover. Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Replacement . Remove the 1-2 shift solenoid retainer clip (304), the 1-2 shift solenoid (305) with O-ring (303), the 1-2 shift valve (302), and the 1-2 shift valve spring (301).
Remove the PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement . Remove the transmission upper side cover bolts. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture in Engine Mechanical. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information. Remove the left front tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels. Remove the left inner fender liner. Refer to Front Fender Liner Replacement in Body Front End. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the transmission. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering. Remove the frame. Refer to Frame Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
This is a tough repair an needs special tools to do it . your best bet is take it to AAMCO

Hello Joe.
please say what works and does not.?
and on what road surface you are on, pavement, dirt, ice? what?
and what does winter mode mean. tell actual shift modes.
and what transmission options you have.

no do not rebuild anything, first is diagnosis.
never guess. or go broke fast,

• 130-hp, 2.2-liter I-4 (regular gas)
• 205-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 (regular gas)

• Transmissions:
• 5-speed manual w/OD
• 4-speed automatic w/OD

4x2
4x4
limited slip diff option?
Mode select transmission? option 4x4
this is part time 4wd and is not AWD , all wheel drive.
as such it is not for dry (ice-less) pavement and is for offroad.

so what surface are you driving on. 1st.
then in what mode.
are you messing up and using 4x4 on dry pavement
see here for what happens doing it wrong.
http://www.rubicon-trail.com/4WD101/driveline-bind.html

if you wind it up. the gear shift can lock up.
the solution is 2 ways.
drive to dirt shoulder and move slow and shift back to 2WD.
or if can't do that. (no grass , ice, no dirt)
jack up a front tire. and do same.
this unwinds the system.
then shift to 2wd.
some rare cars have partime system with a hidding slip clutch that
prevents wind up. this car dont.
nor does car have an AWD center differential.
good luck.

Based on the info posted, I believe you may of experienced a shift fork tab failure inside the transfer case and the gears that are moved by the shift fork no longer can be moved correct because the tab on the shift fork is either broken or worn down.

Depends, do you have 4 wheel drive? If so you can just use 4 wheel high, or if things get really slippery, use 4 wheel low and go slow, both in the drive position on the transmission shifter.

If 2wd, just use drive and go slow, again, if it gets slippery out, you can shift down in gears to go slower and to keep your speed slow.

If you're talking about snow and ice on just streets, then stick with 4 wheel high with 4x4, or "drive" in 2wd. You typically don't want to switch to 3,2, or 1st gear at highway speeds.

If you're playing in the snow, just use 4x4 high until you get stuck, then switch to 4 low to get out.

The only time I switch gears with the transmission (from drive to 3,2, or 1) is when I want to go really slow and keep it there. However, when I "play" in the snow, it's Drive only.

Does this answer your question? If not, let me know! Thanks

Assume that is stuck in 4wd, cannot shift back to 2wd. Have you tried shifting to 4wd/Lo and back? Try letting out on the clutch while slowly rolling?

Assume you are manual transmission?

you have a bent shift system or are running in limp in mode see a mechanic mate, this will be your cheepest route for you on this one.

Ford has 2 types of 4x4 system engagement. One is a knob on the dash that you just turn to 4wheel drive high or low. The other system is the 4x4 transfer case shift on the transmission tunnel (hump) between the driver and passenger seats. To shift into 4 wheel drive high while driving, just let off the gas and shift transfer case into 4H position, and continue driving. To shift into 4 wheel drive Low, stop the vehicle completely, put transmission in neutral, shift transfer case into 4Low position, put trans. in gear, and start driving. I am assuming before doing the above, you have locked in ( turned the front hubs to 4 wheel drive position.) Any further questions, let me know.

Just to clarify, the "transmission" is not stuck in 4-Lo. It is the "transfer case" that is attached to the transmission that actually engages the 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. To properly shift your vehicle into 4-Lo, you know that you have to shift the transmission into neutral and slow down to less than 5 mph. Once your vehicle slows down to this range, your can switch your transfer case into 4-Lo mode. Due to the inner workings of the transfer case, the actual shift into 4-Lo may take a few seconds to complete. This is normal and does not signify that there is an issue. All transfer cases that have 4-Lo mode will act this way regardless of the make or model. To make a long story short, to shift out of 4-Lo you must follow the same steps that you took to shift into 4-Lo, just in reverse order. Switch the transfer case to 4-Lo mode if it isn't already there. Slow down to less than 5 mph (your vehicle must be moving, though). Then, shift your car into 4-Hi or 2WD. Give your vehicle several seconds to complete the shift. The transfer case indicator light will flash until it is complete. When it does complete the shift into the new gear mode, you will most likely hear a "clunk" (the range sleeve inside the transfer case disengages from its mating spline) from under your car. Again, any transfer case with 4-Lo (regardless of make or model) will exhibit this same noise. This should help you get out of 4-Lo. It is good practice to shift your car into and out of 4-Lo at least a few times each year to keep all of the splines free of corrosion and build-up. Based on the age of your vehicle, your transfer case may also need a complete flush and some new transmission fluid. Hope this helps.