While driving the 4Hi and 4Low blinks.

[OK 97 Sport]

While driving the 4Hi and 4Low blinks 6 times and pause and blink 6 times. What is the cause of this? I heard that it could be a problem with the Transfer Case?


1997 Explorer Sport 4x4
4.0L

 

[Opera House]

I bought a 97 and it had this problem (and it dropped the price more than a thousand). Found the transfer case was over a quart low on fluid due to a rear seal leak. Evidently the vehicle was pressure washed because there was absolutely no evidence of leaking. After fluid change and disconnecing battery, the problem hasn't shown up for over 2 years. Do you have any low speed funkiness in low speed turns?. Check fluid level and disconnect the battery. This may have only been momentary problem.

 

[TPLYNCH]

The speed sensors may be dirty or defective. Make sure the electical connections are still on. Try popping them off (1 on front, 1 on rear of T/F case) and cleaning - they are little magnets. The 6 flash sequence is a code for error with the speed sensors.

 

[matt97]

opera house -- what kind of low speed funkiness do you mean? i have experienced a loud deep whining noise coming from my TC at low speed turns and my lights do flash 6 times ,i had the codes pulled and was told it was the front speed sensor , the noise does not happen all the time ,does any one have a pic of the front speed sensor or location ?

 

[CodePoet]

The flashes are a code. From what i've read 6 flashes have something to do with the speed sensor. Do a search, there's a few threads discussing it.

GOOD LUCK!
cp

 

[Opera House]

The newer speed sensors are hall effect and do not collect magnetic particles like the older coil type. New fluid, if the level is very low, will usually clean off any coating. The wet clutch in the TC of auto units will grab at low speed on turns when the fluid is low.

 

[Jefe]

On my 2000, the sensors would get very dirty, and cleaning them solved my 4x4 lights flashing problem. (well until I went and replaced it with an Atlas II )

The sensors are on the back side of the T-case, the rear is above the rear driveshaft flange, and the front one is behind the shift motor (if I remember right). If you have to replace a sensor, you have to unplug the harness, pop out 3 pins, and then plug the new sensors pins back in the correct locations.

 

[matt97]

is the wet clutch what grabs and turns the front driveshaft? not very familiar with the inside of the control trac TC......does the actual shift motor have to come off to access the speed sensor or just unplug the harness connecting it?

 

[TPLYNCH]

You should be able to just unplug the harness. It is in a hard to reach place if I remember correctly.

 

[CQ7String]

I have this same issue - can anyone give me a basic idea of where the speed sensors are?

 

[Jefe]

I have this same issue - can anyone give me a basic idea of where the speed sensors are?

Look at my previous post

 

[86caprirs]

Just dissconnect the battery for a few min.Sometimes the plates get stuck and the shift motor just needs to shift into default.

 

[r37ribution]

This post did not benefit the origional purpose of this thread and has been removed. Another thread about a similar issue has been posted here.

 

[CQ7String]

Look at my previous post

Sorry, that should have read "On a 98".

I'll assume they're in relatively the same spot though. Thanks man.

 

[tcndeb]

i think we got some lazy poster's here!

Now THAT''S a good way to get help from the board......... ;-)

 

[r37ribution]

Now THAT''S a good way to get help from the board......... ;-)

at the time i wasn't gettin any help anyways... still never recieved a reply about my problem with the heating element on all 3 O2 sensors goin bad at the same time, even AFTER i replaced them the problem still persists

 

[r37ribution]

The wet clutch in the TC of auto units will grab at low speed on turns when the fluid is low.

This is EXACTLY what mine is doing...when this happends is it normal to hear a lot of deep sounding noises and poping? lol it doesn't sound good at all.

The newer speed sensors are hall effect and do not collect magnetic particles like the older coil type. New fluid, if the level is very low, will usually clean off any coating.

when you say 'newer' would this include a 1996 model?

 

[TPLYNCH]

No, you have the "older" sensors

 

[r37ribution]

No, you have the "older" sensors

per our discussion in this thread. can these speed sensors be upgraded to the 'newer' ones? and do you know what year explorer they started making speed sensors that dont collect metallic particles? and if the speed sensors of that year of explorer will fit in a '96? i know this is asking alot

 

[captTelescope]

The sensors are on the back side of the T-case, the rear is above the rear driveshaft flange, and the front one is behind the shift motor (if I remember right). If you have to replace a sensor, you have to unplug the harness, pop out 3 pins, and then plug the new sensors pins back in the correct locations.

Jefe, you remember correctly. I had to remove the shift motor to get at the front sensor. I'm in the middle of this, and have to replace a sensor I broke the flange off of . ($40 penalty for clumsiness) How do you pop out the pins?