Weird blinking lights?
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Weird blinking lights?
Hi everyone! New here and slightly freaked out by my truck today.
I've got a '96 Ford Explorer Limited with 4WD. I got into my truck today after work and the windows wouldn't go down, sunroof wouldn't open. I figured something might be wrong with the switch. Then while I was driving home, my 4WD and 4WD Low lights started blinking/flashing on the dash. But I didn't have the 4WD engaged. That happened about 8 times before I got home. After the 6th time it happened my windows started working again.
Is this common? I realize it's a 15 year old truck now with nearly 150k miles and things are bound to fail. Also, is it a pricey fix? I'm a relatively broke college chick and this is my only means of transportation to and from school and work. I work at a high-end dealership so I'm sure I could find a technician to do the work on the side for me but parts can get expensive as I'm sure you all know.
Any advice?
I've got a '96 Ford Explorer Limited with 4WD. I got into my truck today after work and the windows wouldn't go down, sunroof wouldn't open. I figured something might be wrong with the switch. Then while I was driving home, my 4WD and 4WD Low lights started blinking/flashing on the dash. But I didn't have the 4WD engaged. That happened about 8 times before I got home. After the 6th time it happened my windows started working again.
Is this common? I realize it's a 15 year old truck now with nearly 150k miles and things are bound to fail. Also, is it a pricey fix? I'm a relatively broke college chick and this is my only means of transportation to and from school and work. I work at a high-end dealership so I'm sure I could find a technician to do the work on the side for me but parts can get expensive as I'm sure you all know.
Any advice?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Welcome to the forum!
The first thing I'd check is the age of the battery and the condition of the connections to it. If the battery is old and weak, it could be playing games with the electronics. Make sure the cable connections are clean and tight. You really want to remove the connections from the battery to ensure they are clean. Since you still had some issues while driving, that would suggest that either the charging system is not keeping up with the demand (possible alternator issue) or the issue is something else altogether. I would imagine the techs in the shop could quite easily check out the battery, cables, and charging system for you. At most it may cost you a 6-pack of beer. As a college chick, I imagine you know how to get your hands on a 6-pack.
-Rod
The first thing I'd check is the age of the battery and the condition of the connections to it. If the battery is old and weak, it could be playing games with the electronics. Make sure the cable connections are clean and tight. You really want to remove the connections from the battery to ensure they are clean. Since you still had some issues while driving, that would suggest that either the charging system is not keeping up with the demand (possible alternator issue) or the issue is something else altogether. I would imagine the techs in the shop could quite easily check out the battery, cables, and charging system for you. At most it may cost you a 6-pack of beer. As a college chick, I imagine you know how to get your hands on a 6-pack.
-Rod
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Battery's relatively new. I replaced it in February after the old one finally died. I did have the guys check the connections though and those are fine as well. The alternator has also been replaced so that's definitely not it.
I called Ford today. They said diagnostics is 100 bucks. I may just take it in. We tried hooking it up to a couple machines at work to check codes but nothing's there. The guys say it could possibly have something to do with the transfer case. Though why that's making my windows go all weird is beyond me. Even the guy i talked to at Ford said that the modules are nowhere near each other. If I need a transfer case, I'm out. There's no way I can afford all that!
My 4WD definitely doesn't work though. I tried to engage it today and you know how you can tell it's on is when you hear something lock into place? Mine didn't do that, nor did the 4WD light stay on. But! The flashing 4WD/4WD Low lights kept happening.
I called Ford today. They said diagnostics is 100 bucks. I may just take it in. We tried hooking it up to a couple machines at work to check codes but nothing's there. The guys say it could possibly have something to do with the transfer case. Though why that's making my windows go all weird is beyond me. Even the guy i talked to at Ford said that the modules are nowhere near each other. If I need a transfer case, I'm out. There's no way I can afford all that!
My 4WD definitely doesn't work though. I tried to engage it today and you know how you can tell it's on is when you hear something lock into place? Mine didn't do that, nor did the 4WD light stay on. But! The flashing 4WD/4WD Low lights kept happening.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
The flashing 4x4 lights may well be the transfer case shift motor, at this age the small rubber bumper inside deteriorates and the contacts no longer sync with the stop position rendering the T/C inactive.. and trouble lights flash..
Resolution is to either
If the CEL light is not illuminated and there are no pending codes, the engine management CPM is happy... Philip
Resolution is to either
- replace the motor, or
- remove, tear down, clean and rebuild, or
- ignore the flashing lights...(no 4X4)
If the CEL light is not illuminated and there are no pending codes, the engine management CPM is happy... Philip
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