Holy 4x4 (4WD and 4WDLo dash lights flashing)

[WellsLaw]

Please help -- someone must have had this before ...

After towing my boat (and using 4WDLo to get her up the ramp) I noticed the next day that my "4WD" and "4WDLo" dash lights would intermittently flash about 3-4 times and then turn off ... about every 3 minutes?? they flash a few times again. I could care less about some annoying lights BUT the 4WD does not work at all.

I believe I may be imagining: that I hear a super-quiet grinding noise from the front end (that I fear is my front drive train 1/2 engaged or something) -- again this is may be my imagination.

I have a '97 Explorer Sport with the control-trac automatice 4WD and the dash switch for 4WD and 4WDLo.

Please let me know if anyone knows what these lights are telling me. My review of literature has left me with no answers -- and this forum is the place to find the answer b/4 my mechanic shimes in.

Thanx for quick replies.

If I do not answer anytime soon my boat and my truck and I are probably underwater. I am taking her out today and usually need 4WDLo to get her out. Wish me luck?!?

 

[Triton46]

Wellslaw,

Sounds like the automatic motor. My lights would blink or not light at all. After following the 'clean motor' procedure, it works like a charm.

If you take it to Ford, they will replace the whole part. Hope this helps.

 

[Robert]

If you backed into the lake far enough to submerge your transfer case or even get it wet, you probably took out your transfer case shift solenoid. It might have developed some rust in it overnight or fried it altogether.

 

[WellsLaw]

thank you -- i'll call the mech monday armed with at least some insight...

thanks guys/site

 

[Ray Lobato]

Bobby,
Start your truck and then put it into 4Hi, then try 4Lo,(remember to have foot on brake and be in neutral when moving selector into 4Lo. You don't have to be moving between 4Hi and 4Lo, you just want to see if it will do this. I have had this problem a few times and basicly the 4wheel drive computer gets confused and doesn't know what postion it is in. When you shut off the motor and restart is gain, then move through the selector switch it will get back into sync.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Try disconnecting your battery for a few minutes. Sometimes when you reset the computer, the transfer case will reset itself also after it has lost its place as Ray suggested it did.

 

[WellsLaw]

battery is disconnected as we speak -- a vacuum hose rattled off on the way home from work and set off the check engine light ... that I fixxed and am resetting the comp now ...

We'll see.

 

[WellsLaw]

Excellent ...

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

It worked and with any luck that is the end of that for a while. I tested it completely and it went into and out of 4WD and 4WDLo no problem ...

Now to fix my tailight fuse that blew b/c of my trailer lights?!?

But that I can handle on my own.

Thanks guys -- this site kicks @$$.


And an extra big THANK YOU to Ray!

 

[John armenopoulo]

johnno

Try disconnecting your battery for a few minutes. Sometimes when you reset the computer, the transfer case will reset itself also after it has lost its place as Ray suggested it did.

LOVE this site found it today I had the same problem in australia for months now something so simple my auto club breakdown service suggested i have my vehicle towedhome which was 6hours away i fluked getting out of low drive by tapping componets under my vehicle and was to scared to try 4wd again as i wouldnt want to be stranded again so i have put up with this for months no 4wd and lights flashing so much for auto breakdown clubs thanks a lot buddy

 

[gijoecam]

If the lights are flashing, the system has detected a fault and the GEM has stored a trouble code. Unfortunately, a standard OBD-2 scanner will not be able to read the GEM codes. For that, a mecanic needs an NGS tester to troubleshoot the GEM codes.

If it happened once and never again, I wouldn't sweat it. (It's happened to me twice in 140,000 miles, and stopped after a re-start both times)

-Joe