sfbayjay
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- January 22, 2008
- Messages
- 107
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- Cleveland-ish, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT SOHC 4L V6
Hi all,
Been reading a lot of posts on this subject here and elsewhere. Looking for some advice.
Situation:
2002 XLT 4x4, stock, 97K miles. Last night here in NE Ohio, temps at 1 or 2 Farenheit. While driving, 4X4 High dash light began to blink. 10 blinks, then off for about a minute, then 10 more blinks. Repeated for duration of trip. No apparent 4wd response from 4X4 auto or 4X4 hi buttons. When home, attempted to put in 4X4 Lo: light on button would blink, but wouldn't go into 4x4 lo (didn't hear the usual "click" that accompanies the shift). Might have been doing this wrong, as I tried with car in Park and brake on -- after reading here see that I should have been in neutral.
I see that many potential issues may cause the problem: fuses, switches, module (behind glove box), and shift motor to name a few.
Called dealer to see about diagnostics. They will charge $89 to pull codes and recommend action. Seems like a ripoff (big surprise!!).
Questions:
1. Can I drive this thing until after Xmas? Gotta make a road trip of about 50 miles each way tomorrow afternoon... I realize I only have 2WD, but that's OK just so I won't sieze up or something horrible.
2. Any systematic way to eliminate potential causes given pattern of "blinks". I've seen other "blink" combinations reported here (3 blinks, 8 blinks, some in combination with ABS light, etc.) Mine is 10 blinks then a pause, no ABS light, no other lights.
3. Which 4WD lights are supposed to illuminate immediately after starting the vehicle? My owner's manual says only the 4WD "lo" indicator on the dash is supposed to light briefly. Dealer says BOTH "lo" and "high" dash are supposed to light up briefly. Who should I believe?!
4. Should I just disconnect the 4WD module until I can get things checked out, to avoid accidental engagement of 4WD at an inopportune time (like when going 70 on freeway)? Has anyone done this?
5. I think it's possible to pull some stored error codes directly from the dash when the car is started in diagnostic mode (hold in trip reset button and start the car). Are these the same codes I would pay $89 for the dealer to give me?!
6. If you guys think its the module, what's the latest and greatest part number to search for -- I understand these have been tweaked by Ford several times since original build...
Thanks a million for any help/advice! Much appreciated as the Holiday is upon me and I've gotta travel this week...
Been reading a lot of posts on this subject here and elsewhere. Looking for some advice.
Situation:
2002 XLT 4x4, stock, 97K miles. Last night here in NE Ohio, temps at 1 or 2 Farenheit. While driving, 4X4 High dash light began to blink. 10 blinks, then off for about a minute, then 10 more blinks. Repeated for duration of trip. No apparent 4wd response from 4X4 auto or 4X4 hi buttons. When home, attempted to put in 4X4 Lo: light on button would blink, but wouldn't go into 4x4 lo (didn't hear the usual "click" that accompanies the shift). Might have been doing this wrong, as I tried with car in Park and brake on -- after reading here see that I should have been in neutral.
I see that many potential issues may cause the problem: fuses, switches, module (behind glove box), and shift motor to name a few.
Called dealer to see about diagnostics. They will charge $89 to pull codes and recommend action. Seems like a ripoff (big surprise!!).
Questions:
1. Can I drive this thing until after Xmas? Gotta make a road trip of about 50 miles each way tomorrow afternoon... I realize I only have 2WD, but that's OK just so I won't sieze up or something horrible.
2. Any systematic way to eliminate potential causes given pattern of "blinks". I've seen other "blink" combinations reported here (3 blinks, 8 blinks, some in combination with ABS light, etc.) Mine is 10 blinks then a pause, no ABS light, no other lights.
3. Which 4WD lights are supposed to illuminate immediately after starting the vehicle? My owner's manual says only the 4WD "lo" indicator on the dash is supposed to light briefly. Dealer says BOTH "lo" and "high" dash are supposed to light up briefly. Who should I believe?!
4. Should I just disconnect the 4WD module until I can get things checked out, to avoid accidental engagement of 4WD at an inopportune time (like when going 70 on freeway)? Has anyone done this?
5. I think it's possible to pull some stored error codes directly from the dash when the car is started in diagnostic mode (hold in trip reset button and start the car). Are these the same codes I would pay $89 for the dealer to give me?!
6. If you guys think its the module, what's the latest and greatest part number to search for -- I understand these have been tweaked by Ford several times since original build...
Thanks a million for any help/advice! Much appreciated as the Holiday is upon me and I've gotta travel this week...