4WD Hi/Lo flashing lights

[hidefkd]

1998 Explorer 4WD

After 55,000 miles, when driving on the highway (dry road, mild temperatures), the car started to exhibit flashing "4WD Hi" "4WD Lo" lights on the dashboard. Also I noticed that the dashboard switch "4WD Hi" and "4WD Lo" was not operating. I'd never used this switch before, so this was not much of a concern. But a clue.

Brought the car into the Ford dealer who sold us the car. They said "Well, you need a new transmission. $3600.-"

Ouch!!!

Since I didn't have $3600 to drop into the car, I drove it around for about 6 months. Though the lights would always start flashing intermittently when driving on the highway, I could not see any other effects. I did bring the car into a local service shop to have a "transmission tuneup", but I do not think this had any effect.

To make a long story short(er), this morning I was surfing the net and did a lookup for "Explorer maintenance" and found a few references to the flashing "4WD" lights problem. One poster suggested that he disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes, and that cleared up his flashing "4WD" lights problem.

Well, I tried this and Viola!!! It worked!

And the "4WDHi/Lo" switch now works too!

And I saved $3600.-

God bless the net!!!

And Ford ought to be embarassed with the level of service provided by their dealers.

 

[Art L]

4WD Hi/LO Lights Flashing

This same thing happenned to me. On my 98 Explorer Sport with 52K Miles, the 4WD HI/LO lights started flashing 6 times every 2 minutes and when I tried to engage 4WD via the dash switch it wouldn't engage.

I took it in to the dealer who fixed the problem. They told me they ran the diagnostics and found 3 truble codes reported for the electric 4Wd engagement motor so they replaced it. I have an extended warranty so I wasn't charged a cent.

I don't know if this thing was erroneously reporting an error and disconnecting the battery to do a reset would have cured it (I know they didn't cause all my radio settings and clock time get screwed up when they do this) but I'm not much concerned because it didn't cost me anything.

I doubt the dealer lied (no reason to) maybe they just replaced it for no reason . If it happens again I'll try the reset approach before bringing it in.

 

[mrboyle]

Ford uses the flashing lights to warn the vehicle owner of a potential problem with the 4wd (just like it uses the check engine light to signal engine problems). I think the dealer was trying to pull a fast one by saying that you needed a new tranny, because the lights have nothing to do with the opperation of the transmission. If the flashing lights return, there may be something wrong with the t-case motor or one of the vehicle speed sensors.

 

[Jason_25]

mrboyle is right, if there were something wrong with your tranny, the o/d on/off light would flash.

 

[hidefkd]

mrboyle: I agree. The dealer either wanted to scare me into trading in my car for a new one, was trying to cause me to have unnecessary service work performed, or was just dumb.

I also have seen postings on the transfer case motor. If the reset of the car's computer didn't work, the next thing I was going to try was to rebuild the t/c motor.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Just out of curiosity, what dealer and where, cause they are a ripoff artist for trying to charge you $3,600 for a Tranny, especially when that has nothing to do with the 4x4 operation! Definately a place to steer clear of......