4x4 Flashing

[dkolewaski]

hey there my 4x4 light on the dash is flashing when i try to put it into 4x4 not sure what the problem is but if any one has ideas it would be appreciated..

 

[badgett]

Most of us have been through this. Start by unhooking the battery for about 10 minutes. Sometimes that will take care of it. Let us know if that doesn't work. When this happen to my 98 I had to take the speed sensors out and clean them. Very simple to do. That was 2 years ago and I haven't seen the lights come back yet.

 

[dkolewaski]

ok i did that but still does the same thing.. first time after i reset it the 4x4 stayed on for a bit then it and 4 low started flashing again.. any idea's?

 

[NHale623]

There are two speed sensors in your transfer case that are used to control the clutch in the transfer case when you select 4 wheel drive. Take them out and clean them.

 

[dkolewaski]

where exactly are they?

 

[Dignan]

I had a fuse for the transfer case go out and the lights started flashing until I replaced it.

 

[NHale623]

They are on the transfer case.

On mine, the sensor for the front output shaft is located behind the shift motor. You have to remove the shift motor to gain access to it.

The sensor for the rear is located between the shift motor and the rear output shaft.

 

[chrisis]

can you go into 4wd low?

if not then check if the motor in the transfer case shift from 2wd to 4wd auto and 4wd low.

 

[dkolewaski]

i cannot go into 4low everything just flashes and no 4x4

 

[alphabets13]

my 4x4 light has blinked since the first day i got it. i have never had a problem with 4wd, auto or low, so i never worried about it

 

[dr_starcraft]

Have you pulled the 4x4 switch out for any reason... (like changing the stereo or whatever) I just changed mine, forgot to put hook the harness back to the switch, and 4hi and lo blink repeatedly when I started the truck. Maybe its just faulting wiring, or not connected all the way. I'd start checking simple things.

 

[dkolewaski]

but mine does not go into 4x4 though it just flashes

 

[Dignan]

That's what mine did when the fuse blew and it drove me crazy. I tore the transfer case apart and didn't find anything that would keep it from shifting. I totally spaced the fuse. So I agree, start checking the simple things.

 

[dynamite196]

how hard is it to take out the speed sensors?

 

[KaiserM715]

There are two speed sensors in your transfer case that are used to control the clutch in the transfer case when you select 4 wheel drive. Take them out and clean them.

Would the regular 4x4 transfer case also have 2 of these sensors? The AWD t-case would have a clutch where as the normal 2 speed t-case does not (it is direct gear engagement). For the AWD it would make sense to have 2 sensors to measure any difference in output rpm to detect clutch slippage.

 

[NHale623]

I don't know about AWD. I have a '95 with ControlTrac. The transfer case is a Borg Warner 44-05.

My options on my selector switch are 2wd, 4wd Auto, and 4wd Low. I know the speed sensors are used in 4wd to control the clutch. The shift motor is used only when I select 4wd Low.

I doubt if the manual transfer case has speed sensors, but I don't know.

dynamite, it isn't hard to remove the sensors. The rear sensor is easy enough, the hardest part about the front sensor is removing the shift motor to gain access. You do not have to drain the transfer case, but you might as well change the fluid while you're under there.

 

[KaiserM715]

I don't know about AWD. I have a '95 with ControlTrac. The transfer case is a Borg Warner 44-05.

My options on my selector switch are 2wd, 4wd Auto, and 4wd Low. I know the speed sensors are used in 4wd to control the clutch. The shift motor is used only when I select 4wd Low.

Ahh. The t-case installed in the Rangers does not have a clutch for either the manually shifted or the electronically shifted versions. What would be helpful is to know which t-case dkolewaski has. For a Ranger, I have 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low. I have a BW 1354.

I am puzzled as to why I haven't seen a "I'm surprised he just doesn't ask how to unplug his 4x4 bulb." comment from you.