Hello all. Haven't posted in so long my old account got disabled (used to be 58 60 f100). Anyway, I started having an issue with my '88 Bronco II yesterday. I live in Alaska and have been having spells of snow and ice melting in the daytime, making for some nice slick icy roads at night. I've been using the 4WD full-time for the last 5 months and a few days ago started switching to 2WD during the daytime as road conditions (finally) improve. Last night on my way to the store, I wasn't having any issues at all with the truck. When I went to leave the store, the 4-low light was flashing (still is) and it won't let me disengage the 4WD at all. I have manual hubs and push-button 4WD. The owners manual says "the 4-low light will flash if you try to switch it when you try to switch to low while the vehicle is in motion." I HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED THE 4-LOW BUTTON!!!!!!! I don't want to be stuck in 4WD and sell the thing like that (I'm moving in a couple months ). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Kevin

 

sounds to me like the shift motor is either spent or frozen

 

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I had this problem, check your fuses on your fuse panel too. I didn't have mine in 4wd that long though, I just switched into it, then tried to get out a few minutes later, and couldn't figure out why, so I drove home doing 25 mph and started with looking at the fuses, and it turned out to be one of them.

 

Thanks for the advice y'all. I tried the fuses and that wasn't it. I'm guessing the shift motor is inside the transfer case itself? I probably already know the answer to this, but how much damage would it cause if I were to drive in 4WD with the hubs free? Or, drive with it in 4WD with the light flashing at say, 50mph. Thanks.

Kevin

 

shift motor is on the backside of the transfer case on the outside very easy to get to. as far as continued driving in 4 low especialy at high speeds its ill advisable

 

4 low, I wouldnt go over 35.. if the 4-low light is flashing, it means it's not engaged, doesn't it?

 

Thanks for the info. So if the light is flashing, 4-low is not engaged? I will be selling the truck in a couple months, so I'll let the new owner know it will need to be fixed. In the meantime, could I just dicsonnect the wiring to the motor, or would that hurt. I don't drive into town very often, but my wife doesn't like me to drive her new van very much. Something about putting miles on it and moving her seat??? Sorry I'm asking so many questions, but this is my first 4x4 and I don't know much about the operating systems. Anyway, for now I'm just going to unlock the hubs and drive liberally. Again, thanks.


Kevin

 

try shutting the truck off and just put it in the on position and push clutch in and step on the brake, and then push the switch for 4low and see if it stops blinking

 

Ok, well I thought about it a little and if you have low range engaged, it won't let you go over about 35, I wouldn't go above 25 in low, so if you're able to go 40 or more then it's in high and not low.

 

I'm sorry. I failed to mention it's an automatic. I've unlocked the hubs (better steering obviously). If I were to unhook the wiring in the back of the shift motor would it disengage the 4WD or hurt anything? Thanks again.

Kevin