1998 Ford Explorer Logo
Posted on Jul 15, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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On my 1998 Ford Explorer, the 4x4 light flashes on and off sometimes and it won't engage in 4 wheel drive. Do you know what might be wrong? Thanks.

2 Answers

Marvin

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  • Ford Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 15, 2009
Marvin
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Joined: Jun 20, 2008
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When this light is flashing it means the the actuator for the Transfer case has a problem or the transfer case is locked up, the only way to determine the cause is to remove and test the motor and see if it operates, the electric motor driven actuator is under the truck attached to the transfer case at rear of transmission.

David Shaub

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  • Master 2,994 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 15, 2009
David Shaub
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Joined: Jan 01, 2009
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Could be, your linkage just needs to be adjusted. This will stabilize when the 4X4 will activate.

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How do i get out of 4x4 on a 2000 jeep grand cherokee laredo

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------

4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------

Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------

4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------

4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------

2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------

2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------

4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------

4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------

Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------

Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

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I need a wiring diagram for a 1993 Dodge 2500 series 4 wheel drive truck

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------

4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------

Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------

4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------

4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------

2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------

2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------

4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------

4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------

Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------

Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

1helpful
1answer

Stuck in 4 wheel lo, how do i get it back to 2 wheel hi ?

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------

4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------

Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------

4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------

4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------

2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------

2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------

4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------

4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------

Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------

Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

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What is a 4 wheel drive switch

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How to set the 4x4 electronic selector switch on a jimmy 2002

4X4

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------

4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------

Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------

4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------

4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------

2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------

2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------

4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------

4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------

Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------

Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

4x4 will not engage on 2005 tahoe

It can be faulty 4x4 wd switch.

4X4

On these issue, there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below: ---

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------

4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------

Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------

No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------

4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------

4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------

2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------

2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------

4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------

4x4 will not engage on Ford F150?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------

Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing

4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------

Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

1helpful
2answers

2003 Montero Limited, will not go into 2w high . What is the most Common fault?

Yes larry is very correct.Try going in reverse.

On these issue,there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below:---
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------
4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------
Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------
4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------
4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------
2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------
2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------
4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------
4x4 will not engage on Ford F150? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------
Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing 4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------
Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Will not shift into 4wheel drive

On these issue,there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below:---
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------
4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------
Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------
4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------
4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------
2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------
2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------
4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------
4x4 will not engage on Ford F150? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------
Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing 4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------
Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

I have a 1998 explorer and the 4wheel drive will switch on like it should and the lights do not blink or anything but I can tell the rear end doea lock in low but never any power to front axle in any...

On these issue,there are few solved help links for troubleshooting the issue easily.-------

Click the link below:---
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

-----------
4X4 Truck makes roaring noise in the front end?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/4x4-truck-makes-roaring-noise-in-front.html

-------------
Car will not go into 4WD high or 4WD low?


http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-will-not-go-into-4wd-high-or-4wd.html

--------------
No 4x4 light on dash?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/no-4x4-light-on-dash.html

------------
4 wheel drive system will not disengage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/4-wheel-drive-system-will-not-disengage.html

----------
4WD light is flashing and beeping? NO 4WD high?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/4wd-light-is-flashing-and-beeping-no.html

----------
2002 Jeep Wrangler: 4WD Idiot Light is ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/2002-jeep-wrangler-4wd-idiot-light-is.html

----------

Traction control switch will not engage on 4WD High or Low

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.com/2012/10/traction-control-switch-will-not-engage.html

-----------

4WD light flashing and 4WD will engage after few minutes

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/4wd-light-flashing-and-4wd-will-engage.html

------------
2008 Toyota Tundra: 4x4 Wheel Drive Light is Flashing?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-tundra-4x4-wheel-drive.html

----------
4x4 front differential will not engage the axle on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-front-differential-will-not-engage.html

-------
4x4 will not engage on Ford F150? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/4x4-will-not-engage-on-ford-f150.html

-------------
Dodge Ram 4x4 light keeps flashing 4X4 LOW LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/09/dodge-ram-4x4-light-keeps-flashing.html

----------
Ford 4x4 front wheels will not engage?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-4x4-front-wheels-will-not-engage.html

-------------

These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

4 x 4 lights flashing - 1998 Explorer Sport

sound like the control module is acting up. hal switch is in the rear diff. you really need a scantool to monitor what is going on with the sensors. or your going to pull your hair out. i work in a shop. it can be few different things. u really need to know if everything is working as it should. best of luck.
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