4x4 blinking light

[legan]

I have a 1998 ford explorer with high and low 4x4. I just got the truck 2 weeks ago and it has 65,000 miles on it. Last night while going down a rough road both the low 4x4 and the high 4x4 light started to blink 6 times (at the same time) and now they continue to do this about every 3 min.

Thanks for any help!

 

[BradE.]

You will have to get the codes read to pinpoint the problem. Otherwise it's just a shot in the dark.

Last time my lights blinked like that it was the rear shaft speed sensor. Might be something different with yours.

 

[Blee1099]

First check your fuses. I had it happen to me about a month ago. Both lights flashed and I believe it turned out to be a bad fuse. I think its #27 or something in the general area, but then again that was on a 1997. Probably not the same.

 

[legan]

no more blinking lights.

First I took the truck to the shop and they said that it needs a new transfer case motor for $334 (motor only) but he thought there may be a recall on this part??? but I can't seem to find this recall at ford.com. Then I found another thread/person at this site with the same porblem and someone said to disconnect the battery.
I disconnected the battery for about 5 min. and the blinking stopped and the switch from 2x4 to 4x4 high and low look as if they are working. Now the question is...did I fix anything or did I simply delay buying a new shift motor?

Thanks for any info!!

 

[TPLYNCH]

The sequence of flashes you described indicates a speed sensor problem. If it was a simple fault at the time, resetting the computer will fix. If the sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, the flashes will start again. 99% of the time, it is NOT the motor. Ford just likes collecting $400 a pop from people who don't know better.

 

[checkedout]

I had the same sequence of flashes in my 96. I disconnected the battery a couple times and reset it while I tried to figure it out. I replaced the speed sensors and it still came back. Finally I cleaned the shift motor and They haven't flashed since!

 

[Jennifer]

Shift Motor/Speed Sensors

Where and what exactly do I clean on the shift motor to stop the lights from flashing? I found one sensor that is on the transfer case, which is the front one??? Where is the rear sensor? How do these come off. I already disconnected the battery, worked fine for about a week and back on the lights came. Thanks in advance.

 

[checkedout]

Do a search on 'cleaning the shift motor'. It's really easy to do if your handy.