1stDeuce
Explorer
If it's doing shifts on it's own, or nothing at all happens when you push the switch, then suspect that the switch is going bad and needs replacing.
The front axle solenoid usually just stops working, and you'll get a service 4wd message that never goes away, or comes on in a specific mode, when the monitor circuit shows it's not moving to the correct position for that mode. IME, it's not terribly common for that solenoid to have issues on newer trucks with the screw-drive solenoid. (~'97-up IIRC)
If it's the encoder in the shift motor, it'll randomly spit out the Service 4wd message, and you might hear it "hunting" around for the proper position as the message comes up. It'll usually re-try and succeed, but the message stays up till you re-key. Since the problem is from lack of use, using it even less because you're afraid it won't work just means it'll totally fail on you sooner.
My suggestion is to do the opposite... USE the system a bunch TODAY and see what happens. Shift it through all ranges about 20 times. If it sets the code, put it back in 2wd if it'll go, re-key to clear the code if possible, and do it again. If you have a problem, NOW is the time to find it, not while you're on a trip. If it doesn't have any more issues, then use probably cleaned the contacts up. It'll be fine and you can stop worrying, so long as you keep shifting through all modes occasionally.
Good Luck!
The front axle solenoid usually just stops working, and you'll get a service 4wd message that never goes away, or comes on in a specific mode, when the monitor circuit shows it's not moving to the correct position for that mode. IME, it's not terribly common for that solenoid to have issues on newer trucks with the screw-drive solenoid. (~'97-up IIRC)
If it's the encoder in the shift motor, it'll randomly spit out the Service 4wd message, and you might hear it "hunting" around for the proper position as the message comes up. It'll usually re-try and succeed, but the message stays up till you re-key. Since the problem is from lack of use, using it even less because you're afraid it won't work just means it'll totally fail on you sooner.
My suggestion is to do the opposite... USE the system a bunch TODAY and see what happens. Shift it through all ranges about 20 times. If it sets the code, put it back in 2wd if it'll go, re-key to clear the code if possible, and do it again. If you have a problem, NOW is the time to find it, not while you're on a trip. If it doesn't have any more issues, then use probably cleaned the contacts up. It'll be fine and you can stop worrying, so long as you keep shifting through all modes occasionally.
Good Luck!