4 x 4 high light flashes and abs light always on

[DunninLA]

I have an 04 Explorer XLS 4wd with 139,000 miles, however i had an engine with 40,000 miles installed in december of 2010. I had new brakes installed a couple of months ago.

Recently the 4X4 light high started flashing and when i reverse out of a spot it feels as though my car is stopping and the tires make a screeching sound.

After i start driving my car drives just fine, but when i turn the wheel theres a bit of resistance or some sort of movement. when the 4X4 light flashes it blinks 6 times then goes away.

(Also, dont know if its related, my cruise control locks my wheel and forces me to pull over and restart my car, i never use it anymore)

Is there a cheap way to fix the problem or what could the worst possible situation be?
thanks

 

[2004xls]

I had my "4x4 high" light flash with the "abs" light stuck on in my 04 xls 4.0 for a while. Swapped out the rear speed sensor a few months back and that seemed to do the trick. Didnt have any mechanical issues though, just the lights on the dash.

 

[ExPlOrErImPoRtS]

check front wheel bearings for abs light jack up front end. push side to side if play wheel bearings bad.

 

[tursky4]

had some of the same issues you are having a few weeks ago.. had a grinding sound and resistance especially while turning and turning in reverse.. also the abs light was on and 4x4 light was flashing.. finally one day i was on my way home and the front left wheel bearing blew out completly.. i couldnt go over 10 mph.. thank god i was only about 2 miles from home.. but when i pulled my wheel bearing off all roolers in the bearing were gone and the abs senser was filled with metal shavings... if i were you i would find the problem before something like that happens... i had to spend the 150 at autozone instead of ordering from rockauto.com and getting it at almost have the price because i needed it right then.. hopefully you figure it out