Flashing 4WD HIGH/LOW

[Doug Williams]

My 99 Explorer's 4WD HIGH/LOW lamp flashes on 6 times, then goes out for

about 2 minutes, then flashes 6 times again etc. When stopped and trying

to shift out of 4WD AUTO to HIGH or LOW I get no lamp at all. Owners
manual says have it serviced but I would like more info before heading
to the dealer. I have an OBDII interface for my laptop but it shows no
codes at this time. I also checked the Haynes manual but could find
nothing. Can anyone advise about this indication? Is it a engine time
related condition, bad sensor or does it actually mean something's
wrong, fluid low?


Thanks in advance for help and advice.

Doug Williams



------------------
Doug Williams - KS4TI
Johnston Amateur Radio Society Supreme Commander
99 XLT

 

[gijoecam]

Hey Doug...

I don't know what to tell you, but mine did that to me one time. I was near the end of a continuous hour on the freeway. When I got to the end of the off ramp, it started doing just what you describe. Fortunately, it has never done it since, so I'm not too wworried about it. It was about 4 months until I took it back into the dealer for some other problems, by which point whatever fault had been in there had cleared. When you find something out, keep us posted.
-Joe-

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Doug, and welcome to the site.
I have had this problem twice and both times I just turned the motor off and back on again, then the blinking went away, also it would then go into 4wd Hi and Lo. I wish I could tell you more, but I don't know anymore then you on this one.

 

[CBoug76]

Does the Lights stop Flashing if you Cycle the Ignition Key? Time the Delay between the Long Pause's with a watch. I have had this same problem, and its comes and goes, I have found out from this site that it maybe a sensor in the Transmission that is either dirty, or broke. When my 4X4 lights flashed, I could time 2 minutes between the start of one flash cycle, to the start of another flash cycle Exactly. I would try to do a search and see what you come up with. But I have had a similar problem. Thats all i can tell you, I hope it helps.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Doug,
Seeing you have a '99, I believe your problem may be the GEM module. There is a recall for this. The GEM is involved in running everything from your wipers to the transfer case. The 98's & 99's have been bad, so there is now a recall. You should have received notice in the last few weeks.

If a new GEM doesn't fix it, there are some wire connectors that run to the transfer case. If one of these has been disconnected it may cause your problem. If you can, crawl under and look and see.

 

[greengoose]

TAKE IT TO THE DEALER!!!... I had this happen as I drove it off the lot. I have a 99 Limited. Its one of many sensors on the 4x4 system. I had another sensor go bad about 3000 miles later and it was a diffrent sensor. Everthing was covered under warrenty. I now have 18,000 miles and there hasnt been anymore problems on the 4x4 system since.