99 Xlt Strange Problems
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Orlando, Fl
99 Xlt Strange Problems
I have a 99 explorer XLT with 134K on it. I have two problems that are driving me nuts!
I will start with the first problem since I think it is the most serious.
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fficeffice" /><o
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1) A week ago Saturday I drove from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1lace>Florida</st1lace></st1:State> to a beach in NC for vacation. It was about 500+ miles. I did not start it Sunday but when I tried to go to the store on Monday I put the key in turned the ignition and nothing. My first thought was my battery was dead.
I turned the key a second time and it turned over a little bit. I thought for sure dead battery. I turned the key the third time and it turned over. It continued to turn over but would not start. I turned it off and tried again. The same thing happened but this time after about 10 seconds it started. I turned the key off and tried it again and it started right up like it normally does. I drove it to the store and it started several times that day as normal. The next day it was fine. The nex,t it would not start again. Same thing eventually started. This was all week, some days it was ok some it would not start. Saturday I drove it 500 miles back home and it was fine. This morning it took about 10 seconds of turning over and then started. The rest of the day it was fine. I had the battery tested today and it and the charging system are fine. I was thinking at first maybe bad gas but I have been through a few tanks since the problem started. I was thinking clogged fuel filter but it should still turn over right away if that was the case.
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Anyone have any ideas?
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Now for the next
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2) I have seen this posted in other forums but I have never found an answer. My 4WD low and 4WD high lights flash 5 times and then stop for a bit and then flash again. I turn the switch from Auto to either 4L or 4H and nothing happens. The lights do not come on and the 4WD does not engage. I have fluid in the transfer case and I have disconnected the cable that is connected to the “motor” on the transfer case.
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Thanks for you help in advance
<o></o>
Howie
I will start with the first problem since I think it is the most serious. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>1) A week ago Saturday I drove from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1lace>Florida</st1lace></st1:State> to a beach in NC for vacation. It was about 500+ miles. I did not start it Sunday but when I tried to go to the store on Monday I put the key in turned the ignition and nothing. My first thought was my battery was dead.I turned the key a second time and it turned over a little bit. I thought for sure dead battery. I turned the key the third time and it turned over. It continued to turn over but would not start. I turned it off and tried again. The same thing happened but this time after about 10 seconds it started. I turned the key off and tried it again and it started right up like it normally does. I drove it to the store and it started several times that day as normal. The next day it was fine. The nex,t it would not start again. Same thing eventually started. This was all week, some days it was ok some it would not start. Saturday I drove it 500 miles back home and it was fine. This morning it took about 10 seconds of turning over and then started. The rest of the day it was fine. I had the battery tested today and it and the charging system are fine. I was thinking at first maybe bad gas but I have been through a few tanks since the problem started. I was thinking clogged fuel filter but it should still turn over right away if that was the case.
<o
></o>Anyone have any ideas?
<o
></o>Now for the next
<o
></o>2) I have seen this posted in other forums but I have never found an answer. My 4WD low and 4WD high lights flash 5 times and then stop for a bit and then flash again. I turn the switch from Auto to either 4L or 4H and nothing happens. The lights do not come on and the 4WD does not engage. I have fluid in the transfer case and I have disconnected the cable that is connected to the “motor” on the transfer case.
<o
></o>Thanks for you help in advance
<o
></o>Howie
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
Regarding your first problem, if the battery and charging system are known to be good, my next suspicions would be the starter or wiring connections to the starter. If you have an induction style amperage meter, you could check the amp draw when the starter is turning (or not turning) the engine over. I would expect the current draw to be less than 200 amps on a good starter. If you don't have a suitable current meter, and you are positive the battery is good, another method of estimating the current draw is to engage the starter with the head lights on and see if they go dim. Again, this is just a rough estimate that depends on a number of things such as light bulb type, battery available cranking amps, etc. The starter on my '92 was like that, and for a short time I could get away with tapping the starter using the jack handle to get it to start. Of course this is only an uncertain technique to get you out of an immediate bind that may or may not work to get you home to work on it.
Regarding your transfer case issue, I don't have a clue. Have you tried to pull any codes from the computer?
Regarding your transfer case issue, I don't have a clue. Have you tried to pull any codes from the computer?
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2) I have seen this posted in other forums but I have never found an answer. My 4WD low and 4WD high lights flash 5 times and then stop for a bit and then flash again. I turn the switch from Auto to either 4L or 4H and nothing happens. The lights do not come on and the 4WD does not engage. I have fluid in the transfer case and I have disconnected the cable that is connected to the “motor” on the transfer case.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Same thing Happening
Hi,
I have the same thing happening on my truck but with another twist. If you start the truck when it is cold the truck starts no problem. After driving around and the truck at operating temperatures and then I turn it off and then go start it after doing my shopping the starter starts to drain my battery very quickly. I have checked the battery and have checked the alternator, both are in good condition. The starter did a few times not respond and after hitting it with a piece of wood it turned over.
The other issue I have is the starter drawing so much amperage from the battery because it is failing, would it make my idle jump up to 3000RPM ?
I know for sure my starter and Hungry's starter needs to be replaced.
Is this a known problem with these trucks.
Hope that helps
I have the same thing happening on my truck but with another twist. If you start the truck when it is cold the truck starts no problem. After driving around and the truck at operating temperatures and then I turn it off and then go start it after doing my shopping the starter starts to drain my battery very quickly. I have checked the battery and have checked the alternator, both are in good condition. The starter did a few times not respond and after hitting it with a piece of wood it turned over.
The other issue I have is the starter drawing so much amperage from the battery because it is failing, would it make my idle jump up to 3000RPM ?
I know for sure my starter and Hungry's starter needs to be replaced.
Is this a known problem with these trucks.
Hope that helps
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 392
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Your starting problems sound exactly like trying to start an engine in freezing temperatures when the oil is so thick, it is difficult to turn the engine over. Since it is not freezing in Florida, could it be that you have issues with the oil draining away from the bearings which is causing extreme friction and thus making it difficult to turn the engine over? This would explain the difficulty after it sat for a long time. (I might be stretching on this one. Someone correct me if this is not a possiblity.)
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From: Orlando, Fl
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
Here is an update and an answer to some of the questions
It started fine today. I hope what ever it is/was goes away. If not I will start testing at the starter and work from there. My 70+ YO father-in-law said it didnt like the salt air
. I thought it was funny, but it has been fine since I got back 
<O></O>
As for the 4WD issue; I removed the battery yesterday to have it tested. When I installed it it reset the computer. The lights stopped the periodical flashing but, when I switch it to 4 low the light comes on but no 4WD. When I switch it to 4 high no light no 4WD. I am going to see if the lights come on again and try to pull code from it. If they don’t I will wait a week or so and take it in for a check up. Thanks again I will keep you updated....<O></O>
Here is an update and an answer to some of the questions
It started fine today. I hope what ever it is/was goes away. If not I will start testing at the starter and work from there. My 70+ YO father-in-law said it didnt like the salt air
. I thought it was funny, but it has been fine since I got back <O
></O>As for the 4WD issue; I removed the battery yesterday to have it tested. When I installed it it reset the computer. The lights stopped the periodical flashing but, when I switch it to 4 low the light comes on but no 4WD. When I switch it to 4 high no light no 4WD. I am going to see if the lights come on again and try to pull code from it. If they don’t I will wait a week or so and take it in for a check up. Thanks again I will keep you updated....<O
></O>
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From: Orlando, Fl
Just an update... It's has started fine ever since returning to Florida. And, since I reset the computer the 4wd lights have not blinked. ofcourse I still dont have 4wd but hell its starting! Maybe it was the salt air .. Or maybe I just need to stay in Florida!
.. Or maybe I just need to stay in Florida!
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Originally Posted by Hungryhow18
Just an update... It's has started fine ever since returning to Florida. And, since I reset the computer the 4wd lights have not blinked. ofcourse I still dont have 4wd but hell its starting! Maybe it was the salt air .. Or maybe I just need to stay in Florida!
.. Or maybe I just need to stay in Florida!Or, where can I find out how.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
To reset the computer on most any newer vehicle, simply disconnect the battery for approximately 30 minutes. Most will reset quicker, but ½ hour will generally insure that all residual charges are discharged.
