4 wheel drive light blinks

[SilverGrandPrix]

Hi I'm new to this site so let me just give a little back ground info. I'm a GM tech but I do a lot of work at my house. So that means I don't just work on GM. But because most of my training is GM, I kinda get lost working on other vehicle systems. So I figured I would join this site to try and find answers to any problems I might have with Ford. I know two people with Ford Explorers. One of them being my soon to be wife. So I'm always working on her 93 Explorer. But her younger brother also has a 96 Explorer. My work for this comming weekend is going to be working on his vehicle. He has the auto 4 wheel drive system. And everyonce in a while the 4 wheel drive light blinks. I believe he says about 5 or 6 times. Now I did a search and I found a post about this, but I got a little confused with what the person replaced, or fixed. So if anyone else has had this problem, and knows what the fix is. It would really save me some time. Thanks again.

Bob

 

[simmons1]

It could be almost anything, but to keep it simple... disconnect the ground from the battery for about 5 minutes to reset the computer. This will most likely cause the blinking to stop. The question is for how long. If it doesn't start blinking again then the controller might have gotten confused once(ie, speed pickups, drive motor hiccup, etc.). If so great you fixed it, if it starts blinking again then there is something else causing it. If it comes back try searching the site again, because I know there are hundreds of post on the blinking light. Despite popular belief most 4x4 problems can easily be fixed, without getting a whole new transfer case.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Repetitive flashes of the lights 6 times is usually a code for the speed sensors. I'm assuming the flashing is occuring when he has the truck in the Auto setting. The speed sensors are little magnets. One of the connectors may have been knocked loose. If everything is plugged in, you can try cleaning the sensors. If that doesn't work, replace them. They are not that expensive if I recall correctly.

 

[SilverGrandPrix]

Yeah I believe he is in the auto mode. So where are these sensors located? I'm assuming there is more then one? I'll try to disconnect the computer and see what happens. But I have a feeling it is something more. Thanks for the replys. Just let me know where the sensors are.

Bob

 

[Hokie]

Are any fuses blown? do the window's, sunroof, interior lights, etc. work? I've had these lights flash when I've blown fuse #26 before

 

[simmons1]

The speed pickups are located on the transfer case. There is one to the left and right of the acuator/motor assembly. They are slightly above the assembly. Just find the wiring coming from the assembly and follow it to the pickups. The pickups have to wires going to each one and are held in by one bolt. You will probably have to remove the assembly to get to one of the pickup, but it is easy to remove: (4) 8mm bolts, I think. It will all make since when you get under the truck. Take a rag with you to wipe the gunk off of the pickups. All this will take less than a hour. It's easy...Again I would reset the computer before I did anything else.

 

[joe doe]

blinking lights

my 97 explorer started doing that so i pulled into the ford dealers.they told me thats a warning light that something in the 4 by 4 transfer case needs looking at.
my trouble was caused by a large amplifier that was drawing too much power on the system and causing the dash lights to flash.same as that one ,like 6 times.once after this happened i had no forward or reverse gears.
the transfer case was confused or something.after a restart it was ok.i would try what the other guy said first,disconnect battery for awhile and see if it goes away.if it comes back right away it means it needs to be looked at.a ford dealer or a good 4 by 4 shop can plug into the harness and run a check on the case ....good luck