2002 Explorer 4X4 lights flashing

[outlier]

Hey all,

Last night, noticed for the first time the yellow "4X4 LOW" and "4X4 HIGH" lights on the dash flashing occasionally. This happened about three or four times in which both of these lights would flash about four times and then stop.

When I got home, checked the manual which only tells me to have the vehicle serviced.

ANY ideas what's going on here? I really can't afford major work now... Keeping my fingers crossed.

Any help, advice, anecdotes, opinions are most welcome.

 

[outlier]

Some additional info if it helps: I started up the Explorer upon which the pair of lights flashed three times. I then drove around the subdivision for a few minutes. Within about a minute, the lights flashed again three times. In another minute, they flashed twice, and another minute or so later once.

I pulled into my driveway, turned off the ignition and then restarted the truck. Again, the lights flashed three times.

Off the top of my head, I am wondering if this is electrical since it flashes a different amount.

Again, any advice is most welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[rickybobby]

start by checking all of your fuses

 

[outlier]

Thank you. I will do that.

 

[outlier]

I opened the fuse box and checked out the 4X4 fuses. Both are good, but there is some heat discoloration on the legs. Got to thinking that maybe some oxidation might have built up, so pushed them back in firmly. Started the ignition, still got the three flashes.

I then decided to disconnect the ground on the battery. I'd read somewhere on the internet that doing so will "reset", I believe it was the GEM Module, which can cause flashing.

I'd also read that a signal of six flashes is the indicator of some sort actual trouble. I never had six flashes and was encouraged by the three, three, two and one of the other day. To my way of thinking and feeble knowledge, that might tend to indicate something more of an intermittent problem.

Returning to the disconnected battery, I'd waited about thirty seconds, reconnected the battery, started the Exploder, drove it around, no flashing!

My question now is: What does this all indicate? Can anyone shed any light on what occurred?

Many thanks in advance!