4WD Indicator Lights not Working

GoneBad · 12-05-2005, 07:54 PM

I have a 1993 XLT and I've been stuggling to solve a problem I'm having with the 4WD hi and 4Wd low switch indicator lights. I've read most of the threads on this furm regarding the issue and I'm still stumped. I'll make this brief and hopefull someone can point me in the right direction.

The 4WD is engaging when the 4wd high switch is pushed but I get no indicator light. I pulled the transfer case motor and confirmed it is operates when the the button is pressed. I jacked the truck up off the ground and engaged 4wd, all four wheels spin. I went to a junk yard twice and tried new switches thinking the LEDS were burned out. Still not the problem. I found instructions on this forum to rebuild the transfer case motor and to clean up the 6 finger-like contacts that contact the stationary cover on the motor. My thinking was, that the dash switch is working, the motor is working, so it must be the contacts that send the signal to the dash lights that are failng. I disassembled the motor to get to the contacts and my internals were different then pictured in the instructions. I could not access the 6 contacts or see the opened and closed circuits. They appeared to be behind a plastic plate on the cover. I also found that a slotted shaft that protruded from the cover and connects to the main gear spun freely and seemed to be "disconnected". So at this point I'm thinking that the shaft spins when the gear spins but the open and closed circuits are not rotating with the shaft, therefore no switch lights. So I bought a rebuilt motor for $109 and installed it. Still nothing. So I wasted money on top of all the aggrivation.

So what's that leave ? The wiring harness ? I doubt it. What is the purpose of that module near the jack. I pressed the white reset button and get a steady red light. From what I've read in this forum that is a problem. At the moment, I have disconnected the battery to try the commuter reset. Wishful thinking.

I want to sell this vehicle ASAP and with the light not working, that is a big detractor. Or should I say subtractor from the selling price.

Thanks,
Tony

*EMG7895* · 12-05-2005, 08:48 PM

In order to test the computer you need the unplug two of the wiring bundles. If you are inclined you can test the entire system through the 2 plugs on the computer using a multimeter and some jumpers. If I have time tomorrow I'll dig up the specs and pinouts and post them. Do you get the lights in the dash at all? Or do none work?

GoneBad · 12-05-2005, 11:57 PM

I would definitely like to get to the bottom of this so if you don't mind I would be interested in the procedure for troubleshooting the computer. No, I get no lights at all in the dash or the LEDS next to the switches. Thanks for the quick reply.

Thanks !

Vanquish502 · 12-06-2005, 11:25 AM

My only fix for this was changing the computer. The 4HI light still doesnt work.

Vanquish502 · 12-06-2005, 11:27 AM

My only fix for this was changing the computer. The 4HI light still doesnt work.

edit: 4x4 computer, infront of the jack that is.

GoneBad · 12-06-2005, 11:32 AM

Where did you buy the computer from ? How much are they ? So even after doing that, only the 4wd low light worked ?

GoneBad · 12-06-2005, 07:24 PM

Problem solved ! I went to the 4x4 computer in the rear and found that one of the 2 plugs wasn't snapped in all the way. Must have been like that from the previous owner when she had 4wd problems being diagnosed and it turned out to be the shifter motor. Mechanic must not have pushed the plug in all the way and eventually it popped lose. Wish I hadn't spent the $109 on the new shift motor.

12-05-2005, 07:54 PM	#1
GoneBad Wannabe Elite Explorer Columbia, Md 1993 Explorer XLT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	4WD Indicator Lights not Working I have a 1993 XLT and I've been stuggling to solve a problem I'm having with the 4WD hi and 4Wd low switch indicator lights. I've read most of the threads on this furm regarding the issue and I'm still stumped. I'll make this brief and hopefull someone can point me in the right direction. The 4WD is engaging when the 4wd high switch is pushed but I get no indicator light. I pulled the transfer case motor and confirmed it is operates when the the button is pressed. I jacked the truck up off the ground and engaged 4wd, all four wheels spin. I went to a junk yard twice and tried new switches thinking the LEDS were burned out. Still not the problem. I found instructions on this forum to rebuild the transfer case motor and to clean up the 6 finger-like contacts that contact the stationary cover on the motor. My thinking was, that the dash switch is working, the motor is working, so it must be the contacts that send the signal to the dash lights that are failng. I disassembled the motor to get to the contacts and my internals were different then pictured in the instructions. I could not access the 6 contacts or see the opened and closed circuits. They appeared to be behind a plastic plate on the cover. I also found that a slotted shaft that protruded from the cover and connects to the main gear spun freely and seemed to be "disconnected". So at this point I'm thinking that the shaft spins when the gear spins but the open and closed circuits are not rotating with the shaft, therefore no switch lights. So I bought a rebuilt motor for $109 and installed it. Still nothing. So I wasted money on top of all the aggrivation. So what's that leave ? The wiring harness ? I doubt it. What is the purpose of that module near the jack. I pressed the white reset button and get a steady red light. From what I've read in this forum that is a problem. At the moment, I have disconnected the battery to try the commuter reset. Wishful thinking. I want to sell this vehicle ASAP and with the light not working, that is a big detractor. Or should I say subtractor from the selling price. Thanks, Tony

12-05-2005, 08:48 PM	#2
EMG7895 Elite Explorer '91 xlt, 93 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,715 Vehicle Specs	In order to test the computer you need the unplug two of the wiring bundles. If you are inclined you can test the entire system through the 2 plugs on the computer using a multimeter and some jumpers. If I have time tomorrow I'll dig up the specs and pinouts and post them. Do you get the lights in the dash at all? Or do none work?

12-05-2005, 11:57 PM	#3
GoneBad Wannabe Elite Explorer Columbia, Md 1993 Explorer XLT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I would definitely like to get to the bottom of this so if you don't mind I would be interested in the procedure for troubleshooting the computer. No, I get no lights at all in the dash or the LEDS next to the switches. Thanks for the quick reply. Thanks !

12-06-2005, 11:25 AM	#4
Vanquish502 Wannabe Elite Explorer Kitchener, Ontario 91EB, 91EB, 92XLT Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 362 Vehicle Specs	My only fix for this was changing the computer. The 4HI light still doesnt work.

12-06-2005, 11:27 AM	#5
Vanquish502 Wannabe Elite Explorer Kitchener, Ontario 91EB, 91EB, 92XLT Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 362 Vehicle Specs	My only fix for this was changing the computer. The 4HI light still doesnt work. edit: 4x4 computer, infront of the jack that is.

12-06-2005, 11:32 AM	#6
GoneBad Wannabe Elite Explorer Columbia, Md 1993 Explorer XLT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Where did you buy the computer from ? How much are they ? So even after doing that, only the 4wd low light worked ?

12-06-2005, 07:24 PM	#7
GoneBad Wannabe Elite Explorer Columbia, Md 1993 Explorer XLT Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Problem solved ! I went to the 4x4 computer in the rear and found that one of the 2 plugs wasn't snapped in all the way. Must have been like that from the previous owner when she had 4wd problems being diagnosed and it turned out to be the shifter motor. Mechanic must not have pushed the plug in all the way and eventually it popped lose. Wish I hadn't spent the $109 on the new shift motor.