Hello to all,
First let me say that I am new to this forum. I have noticed today that my 4x4 light is flashing on and off in the dash board. The owners manuel says that a constantly flashing 4x4 light needs to be brought in to be serviced. I am scared to death. The Truck seems to run alright.. I have swithced the 4x4 controller from awd to 4x4h to see if it would fix the problem, but when I switched back to awd it started flashing again. Is it okay to keep running the expy with the light flashing? will it do any harm? how much money am I looking at to repair? what is the light telling me? Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

 

Lostsoul, my 1997 epy did that a couple of years ago. it was as simple as having the 4x4 solenoid(actuator) that flips the truck into 4x4 on the front axle housing.. The shop I took it to first tried to dork me around and wack me 1400. but I brough the truck to a dealer and told the dealer what was up he charged me 325.
worked fine.. i don't think I would panic.. obtw make sure to try out the 4x4 transfer and use it from time to time this eliminates this problem as the actuator gets corroded up.

 

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It turned out to be a speed sensor somewhere around the transfer case. It only flashed when I had it on AWD, 4 hi and 4 lo worked fine.

I drove it all the way across the country because it started about 200 miles into a trip to Utah. I called a couple of dealers who told me to relax and bring it when I had a chance. The technician who fixed it told me that when the speed sensor(s) go out the system just defaults to plain rear wheel drive. So I worried myself sick for 2000 miles. By the way it was about a $300 dollar repair....well worth the peace of mind.

 

Thanks for the info guys I feel better knowing that it is most likely a simple fix and not a huge pain. I will keep you posted on the results when I take it to the dealer to get fixed.

Thanks again,
Lostsoul

 

my 99 explorer did the same thing. remove the battery terminal for about 20 minutes to reset the computer and the light will stop flashing until the speed sensor screws up again. mine has done it twice in a year. appears to be ok for now

 

Well I finally took it to the dealers and they had to replace the gen module and both speed sensors went out!! It cost me 700.00 bucks! I guess the reason I am so upset is because the expy only has 38000 miles on it. 2000 over and it would have been covered under warranty. Thanks all, lost soul.

 

What is a gen unit?

The sensors are right on the back of the t-case and should have been relatively easy to replace, they are $43.99 each from autozone, I am however unfamiliar with the gen unit????

Take it to Ford for diagnosis if necessary, but always get a second opinion and then come here to check the feasability of changing the parts yourself. I saved over $400.00 by asking how to change my alternator here instead of letting Ford do it. Saved another $200 by changing out my own PVC vaccum hose assembly. Never trust a factory service department, they are often just out to make a buck, and our local has been caught numerous times buying cheaper parts from NAPA and charging the Ford factory price for them.

I know its too late now, but for future reference.

DOC

p.s. the mods here kinda frown on profanity....... even though in this case it sounds like it was earned the hard way.

 

What I was told by the service tech was that there was two speed sensors. One for the front wheels and one for the back wheels and the Gen module is a computer that takes the info from the sensors and engages the awd,4x4high,and low. the sensors where about 50 or so bucks but the gen mod was close to 300. The tech said that one of the sensor's when it went out probably shorted the other sensor and the gen mod as well. The really sad thing is that one of the new sensors they put on the expy went bad before I even drove the vehicle off the lot!!! I had to drive it back into the shop and tell them it wasn't fixed right. They looked at me like I had a screw loose. Then they test drove it , said they would need to do more test and come to find out one of the new sensors they just put in was bad!!!! What the #$%&!! I am starting to worry about the reliabilty of these sensors. Ford just shook it off and said it is a manmaid part and they can go out at anytime. I am keeping my fingers cross that they don't go out again. Ford said if they go out it is usually before 36,000 miles. If they make it that far then they should be good for life. GREAT now I only have to worry for another 35,500 miles.

P.s. Sorry about the lingo I was somewhat teed off at ford.
Thanks again,
John, lostsoul

 

Don't worry about it lostsoul, I was a sailor many a moon ago........... I peeled some paint in my day ! Both figuratively and literally.


I too have the flashing light, but my 4x4 has not disengaged any as of yet, so I am leaving well enough alone for now. Invest in a factory service CD, ebay usually has them. They have saved me a ton of time and headache on my 98 expy. I bought it with 128k and have since put 30k on it. Needless to say I have had my hands under the hood a few times. I still would not trade it for anything..... Well maybe a Duramax powered Hummer H1

DOC