4X4 hi-low lights

[dcmg]

Found a working solution after searching here, but could someone explain in plain English what I just did?

My wife's '98 XLT with 5 speed manual, 60K miles. 4X4 High/Low indicator lights started flashing at highway speed but did not feel like the high/low ranges were engaging.

I tried cycling the key and turning the switch and rather than fixing the problem got the thing stuck in 4 low. Backing up, depressing clutch and brake, etc., nothing worked to get it out.

Finally disconnected the battery per one of the earlier posts. Reconnected and it is back in 4 auto where it belongs. Everything seems back to normal, except that I am not about to try switching to 4-high or low until I understand what happened.

We haven't needed the 4-wheel settings since leaving New Mexico last year (4 low was sometimes the only way to get in and out of our place there, my Ranger 2 wheel drive needed chains and was often parked at the bottom of the mesa. My wife was doing medical care, sometimes on the rez, and the Explorer really earned it's keep)

Sooooo... Que Pasa? What exactly is going on with this thing? Now that it is "healed", does it need to visit the shop? If so, what am I asking them to do?

I hate open ended questions with service departments, they can get expensive.

 

[Tito_146]

For what i know, which is not much, you just reseted the computer on your X. Whatever problem your computer was detecting is not in memory anymore. That doesn't mean is gone. If you take your X to a dealer they will not be able to diagnose the problem because you just cleared the pc memory. Next time it happens take it into the dealer and let them read the codes from your X pc. They will tell you what's going on.

 

[dcmg]

I get that part of the problem was a "confused" computer and that when I reset it by cutting the power I cleared the memory of any trouble codes. I felt that was preferalble to driving to the Ford dealer stuck in 4-low or calling for a rollback.

Still the question. Presuming we don't touch the switch now that it is back in 4-auto, is there a risk of damage if she drives it to work for a few days until it is convenient to get it into the dealer? Do we actually want to wait until it starts flashing the 4 high/low lights on the dash again?

When we do see the dealer, what are we looking at?

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[leenjen]

if you bring it to the dealer now, they wont be able to tell what's wrong with it. try putting it in 4lo and see if it flashes again. if so, then reset the computer and go to the dealership. then you could put it in 4lo and show him the problem.

 

[dcmg]

Yep, talked with the dealer service guy on the phone and he says "you cleared the computer so we will not know what is wrong"

Then goes on to tell me that the fact that we haven't used 4-low in over a year may be part of the problem. Says that most 4wd problems he sees are from not using it and suggests I take it out and see if I can duplicate the problem, says he thinks it will work fine now that it has been "exercised", that whatever corrosion, dirt or whatever that was causing it to stick has "broker loose" it should work fine.

So I do and I do - get it hung in 4-low again!

So much for his theory!.

Pull the battery cable, wait a few, put it back, start up with the switch in 4auto, and back to square one, everything normal. Not gonna touch the switch again!

Service appointment is next week. About due for 60,000 check anyhow.

Back to my original questions. Is this simply a balloxed sensor? Will we create more problems driving it in the interim now that it is back in 4-auto?

Anyone got a definitave answer?

 

[Tito_146]

Hey let us know what happens. You know it will be a good idea if you engage the 4 low at the dealer with the mechanic there with you. At least he/she will see and feel the actual mechanical malfunction and not just a few computer codes.

 

[Robert]

It sounds like your transfer case shift solenoid. Figure on probably $250 for the solenoid and $75 for labor to put it on.

 

[dcmg]

You asked what the dealer said.

Well, they just called.

Front wheel sensors, harness and shift motor. $595

Explained in Tech Service Bulletin 99-14-2, JUL 99, 4x4 Indicator Lamp Flashing and 4x4 Inoperative, 4.0L.

Plus the scheduled 60,000 mile service at +/- $300 more..

Ouch.