2004 Ford Explorer AWD. what could be wrong? abs light is on, 4 wheel drive ligh is flashing, truck is stuck in 4 wheel drive

Sounds like you have a brake problem or a bad wheel bearing. If it makes a noise should get it checked out. My ABS light came on and I had to replace my rear wheel bearing as it made a noise also . Your ABS light is lit by a sensor in the wheels.telling you something is wrong.

The ABS is connected to the traction control system. When the ABS fails that light flashes and so does the 4 wheel drive. The problem could be a lot of things: Wrong or worn tires, under inflated tires, bad sensor at the wheel, brake system problem.

Sounds like a bad diff control, or diff linkage. Either way, sounds like you have an electronically shifted diff and the problem lies with that control board, or the mechanical part of the controls.

Speed sensor light, do you mean check engine light? I'm a retired (2004) Ford dealer tech and I have no memory of any light called a speed sensor light.

Here is my question

The ABS Light is on. For how long,and why are you here,v.s. having it checked out and repaired.
The grinding/etc,would have me putting the vehicle up on stands immediately, and checking it out. I would in no way drive it,like that

Sounds as though your wheel bearing,tone ring,abs sensor etc ,are being chewed up, and causing the code to set

I just had the same exact problem. The ABS light was on constanly, and the 4x4 high light flashes about 8 times, turns off for about 2-5 minutes, then flashes again for another 8 times and keeps repeating. In addition, I was also hearing and feeling a grinding and clunking noise going in reverse, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. I changed a bad hub assembly on the front driver side and everything went away...fixed! I wouldn't let anybody tell me that the ABS system and the 4x4 system are not linked together. In fact, my local Ford service department assured me that I had two separate issues. Well, I only had one issue and it was a bad ABS sensor. I hope my exprience helps you.

your front hubs are probably going out thats the noise you are hearing and thats why your 4x4 lights probably on and that being said your abs sensors are part of that hub assembly so the sensors are probably full of metal, they are a magnetic sensor just jack the front of your vehicle up and spin the tire by hand and you will find the bad one the drivers side usually goes first, but my as well do both at the same time

sounds like 4wd is stuck in 4 wheel low follow proper procedure to get in 2 wd update me on status

The abs sensors also control the traction control and 4 wheel drive actuators so if one of the sensors is faulty the traction control will be disabled and the drive system will be stuck in the mode set at time of failure be that 4x4 or 2wd
get the abs system repaired

check if your ABS system is having isues. This is were the 4WD system gets the input to go into 4 Wheel Drive.