Got those blinking 2WD/4WD lights every 2 minutes. Ford diagnostic told me to replace the speed sensors on the transfer case..so I did (3 mos ago). Now the lights are back. The 4WD system works fine, however there is no "4WD HI or LO" indicator lights on the dash when I place it there via the switch. What's the deal?? Those blinking lights are a pain.

 

I have a 1997 control trac and the 4wd light comes on at fairly random times, but with more frequency of late. I hope there is some response to your question. I don't really trust Ford diagnostic.

 

I checked the speed sensor and serviced the transfer case..the lights still blinked. The only way I got rid of them is by re-setting the computer by unpluging the negative battery terminal. The lights dont flash anymore..thank God.

 

Wow! I'm so happy to find out I'm not alone in this blinking 4 WD lights thing!

This is driving me crazy--when the lights blink, does that mean I'm no longer in 4 WD? What a scary thing to have happen in the midst of deep snow, huh?

*****, you said you solved the problem by re-setting the computer. Was anything else affected by the re-set? Does the re-set actually clear out problems with 4 WD engaging and disengaging or do you think the entire thing was simply a light/electronic/switch problem?

Any info you can supply to shed some light on this will be greatly appreciated!!

Rdhdgrl

 

How often are your lights blinking and at what interval? If you got "Ford's computer fault diagnostic warning" (4HI/4LO lights blinking 6 times every 2 minutes), then somethings supposed to be wrong with your 4WD system. It could be anything from speed sensors, shift motor, transfer case wiring harness. Try to see if your vehicle is in no kidding 4WD when you have the flashing lights (this is pretty easy to figure out by SLOWLY making a full hard left or right turn....you will definitely feel the road noise-almost like the tires are rubbing on the fenders). If you find out you have no problems engaging/disengaging 4WD, then you really have no problems-it works. If you are not in 4WD, then you got problems that can range from faulty speed sensors, a bad shift motor, to bad electrical circuit. The best way to pinpoint it is to go to the Ford dealer and attach to their diagnostic computer. They will pinpoint the problem. Now the choice is yours to either have them fix it, or you can take it home and fix it yourself.

As for me, my 4WD system "worked" with the blinking lights..so I unplugged the battery to reset the computer. That does not do anything harmful to your truck , other than require you to re-tune your radio. -Good Luck, *****

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-Feb-01 AT 09:04 AM (EST)[/font][p]*****, the 4wd hi/lo 6 blinks then off for two minutes is EXACTLY what my vehicle does. I've been able to confirm to myself several times (not always tho) that my vehicle IS in 4wd when the blinking happens. Last time this occurred though, I flipped it out of 4wd and the lights kept blinking all the way home which was another 45 minutes of driving. What is up with that?

So there is definitely a diagnostic computer that will locate/pinpoint the problem? I wonder why they didn't find the problem/use the computer when I went in for my 30,000 mile checkup and reported the problem? (they couldn't resolve it).
Where did you find "Ford's computer fault diagnostic warning" info?

My beau is coming to town this weekend, think we'll give the negative battery reset a try-it's supposed to snow so I'll have a chance to test it.

Thanks for any and all info *****!!

 

I wouldnt worry about the blinking lights like they were going to blow up your truck..They're more of a distraction than anything else. Sorry to hear your Ford dealership did not pinpoint the problem with their diagnostic computer. They should have. Try referncing the following site... Look for the article titled, Those Blinking Lights by Ted Sz:

http://www.glue.umd.edu/~singletn/web/pages/fourwd.html

He had the same problem we do and he tells what he did. Its worth a read. Good Luck!! -*****

 

*****--

You've been a wealth of information! Thanks so much for your help. That article was terrific. Armed with this, I think I can proceed now.

Thanks again!!!
Rdhdgrl

 

I was installing a CD reciever in my '98 Sport and noticed the same flashing 4wd 2wd lights in the dash. Apparently I didn't push hard enough when I plugged the wire harness into the backside of the 4wd switch. I just had to pull the CD player out, and plug the wire harnes back in. Haven't seen them flash since.

 

I have a 98 with 86K and have recently had the same 4wd blinking light problem. Except, the dealership called yesterday to tell me that my 4wd engine would need to be replaced, and something else, all in all it would require many hours. Ending quote was $650. Well, I am the second owner of the car and the 2 years I have had it, I have never engaged the 4wd. I asked if we could disengage the 4wd functionality and they came back saying that since it was "Auto" there would be no way. I am a female and I get really irritated in thinking that these dealerships are trying to scam me. I called back and told them that the only thing I was willing to have replaced would be the sensors, since I have read numerous postings in regards to this. My car is at the dealership as we speak. I should be getting it back tomorrow...and I will immediately take it to another dealership to get their opinion. I am still making payments on this car and will have spent $1000 over the past 4 months in regards to recalls that were misdiagnosed and another extended warranty item that was never recognized. Sorry to complain, I'm just really frustrated and hoping to have an end to all my expenses.

 

Once your 4x4 and Low lights start to flash, your 4x4 has been disabled. You can drive it like this for as long as you want. The only thing is that your auto mode is disabled as well so if you venture anywhere that might require 4 wheel drive, you won't have it. You can also disable it yourself by disconnecting the wiring harness from the tranfercase shift motor. When you do, your lights will also flash. it is the method they use at Ford's Allen Park Test Labs when they run a Control Trac Explorer on their dynos. If the flashing lights bother you, you could always remove the bulbs. Also, going to an independant shop should only be about half what Ford wants to charge. If I remember right, the transfer case shift motor only costs about $175 and takes about 30 minutes to install. Any decent shop could do it much cheaper than Ford. If the sensors do not fix the problem, that would be what I would do next. Actually, I would buy the solenoid and replace it myself. They do fail fairly often so it is definately possible that is what failed. Their price is too high though.

 

The same problem happened to my 1998 sport. I removed the battey cable and that reset the computer. Light went out and everything works fine....