4x4 light flashing every 2 minutes

remimo · July 16, 2009

Hi,

At random time, the '4x4 High' light flashes 9 times every 2 minutes. The 4x4 low and high is working good when it is not flashing.
I went to Autozone to have them plug to read the code but they told me their reader doesn't work for this kind of issue.

I changed the 4x4 module a year ago because the 4x4 was not working so I don't think this is the problem.

I am surprise I can't find description of this 'code' anywhere...
Anybody has the same issue ?

Thanks,
Remi.

EXPLORER04 · July 17, 2009

is your ABS light on?

thepotroast · July 17, 2009

Check fuse #17 and #18 under the hood. If they are good, unplug your NEGATIVE battery cable for 30 minutes....if you type "flashing 4x4" in the search function of the forum you will see a lot of posts about this issue. The two tips I highlighted above are a good start.

ritchnew · September 24, 2009

I'm having a similar issue intermittently--Sometimes, I start the car and go with no flashing lights. I am able to cycle between the 4X4 High and Auto and the lights light up accordingly. Other times, I start the car and go and the 4X4 High light flashes on and off. I'll have to pay more attention to see if it has the same cadence as previous post.

remimo · September 25, 2009

Mine has now disappeared... : no more blinking

I haven't done the battery reset because I already did it some time ago and it did not solve.
I checked the fuses but it was still doing it afterwards...

then I noticed it stopped flashing when the weather got warm (+ I threatened my Ex with the clash for clunker...).
Hopefully the AWD will keep working during winter...

ritchnew · September 28, 2009

I used to only notice mine during very cold weather. Then as it got warmer this spring I only noticed it sometimes. But now it is pretty much all the time. I would not be surprised if your issue came back this fall, winter.

Disconnected negative battery cable and it did not fix the problem. will check fuses next.

joselito · September 29, 2009

I've notice the same problem on my 2002 v8 on winter but just after an rust proof was apply....since march no problem... i think that's a sensor who was spill of oil that make it appens, but i'm not sure, now the cold time begin and i will post another thread if it's not a current trouble of oil spill, we will find it together, with the precious help of this great forum

male man · October 4, 2009

If you have advancetrak or rsc the rear wheel speed sensors may be the culprit.

MemorEsto · November 10, 2009

I just bought a 2002 XLS Last week for my wife for the winter. I noticed the 4x4 Light flashing on the highway. I took it home and tried to engage 4 high. Nothing.... I shut the Explorer off and 3 hours later, 4 High and 4 Low worked fine. This morning on the way to work on the highway 4x4 High started flashing again, and would not engage when I pushed the button.

My Question is: Can it still be the Control Module if the 4x4 works some of the time ? Or can I possibly have a loose wire / connection somewhere ?

2003vstrom · November 10, 2009

was the tranny ever replaced in it? I bought a 2002 limited 4x4 that had the tranny replaced, but I had no 4x4 at all it still had the orginal 4x4 CM and I bought a new one and then the 4x4 would some times and come to find out it didn`t have a good ground because the CM checks for a complete circuit, so I add a new ground strap from the transfer case to the frame and problem went away and everything works perfect, because I guess the after market gasket that goes in between the transfercase and tranny doesn`t have the proper grounding washers in it like the oem . hope this helps

MemorEsto · November 10, 2009

It has had the Tranny replaced. My Dad had an 03 Explorer and had the same ground issue after the Tranny was replaced on his.

Would that cause it to flash and work intermittently though?

2003vstrom · November 10, 2009

yes mine had the same issue the 4x4 would work then it would stop working when the 4x4 light would flash mine I think flashed 8 or 10 times every 2 mins I have the software on my laptop to pull codes from every module on the truck and the code say it was a clutch circuit failure and it was because of the ground problem only fix i did was put a new ground wire from the transfer case to the frame and my problem went away and I havn`t had any problems for 3 months

MemorEsto · November 10, 2009

Where can I get a new ground wire? Did you use a factory braided wire? Or just a 8 gauge copper wire?

2003vstrom · November 10, 2009

yeah I just used a 12 gauge black wire with a ring terminal on each end and mounted to the bolt on top of the transfercase that has a wire already hooked to it and then to the fuel tank strap stud.

MemorEsto · November 10, 2009

Good deal! I'll try that.

MemorEsto · November 11, 2009

How big of a ring terminal did you use? Or how big are the bolts ?

2003vstrom · November 11, 2009

i used some ring terminals that would fit the at least 3/8 bolt I can`t remember, what size the bolts are actually are, its been 3 months since I did that. let me know how it turns out thanks :thumbsup:

MemorEsto · November 14, 2009

3 Days, so far so Good!!! (cross my fingers)

remimo · December 22, 2009

I love this forum...

So as expected, when cold and snow started to come back, the 4x4 light started to flash again, this time, 10 times every 2 minutes and every other time that I start the engine... (before it was 9 times and random)

As my tranny has been repaired as well, I figured out that the same fix with connecting the ground would do it ! It did it for some days but because I didn't find a secure way to attach the end on the body, I guess the wire went loose..

Can you explain where on the gas tank strap you did connect it ? I am afraid if I unfasten the nut, the gas tank may fall or the rusty screw break...

Thank you !

MemorEsto · December 22, 2009

I didn't attach mine to the gas tank straps. I unbolted the cross member bolt to hold the T case up, and connected my ground wire to that. That way it's straight to the frame.

4x4 light flashing every 2 minutes

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