1996 4x4 blinking light issue

This thing is driving me crazy. It has worked everytime up until a year ago. Now it just flashes at me when I try to lock it in. The crazy part is the problem comes and goes. When I bought this pickup the guy put the new and improved accuator on it (the one with the motor).

I have swapped out accuators from one to another No change in the way the 4x4 works. Still the problem comes and goes. I have tried to make it fail by locking it in and out 10 to 20 times on the way to work, and it will work every time. I just quites when you need it. The other thing I have noticed is if it just blinks you can shut the engine off and start it up in a half hour or so it is locked in and working. But will some times start to blink and no 4x4.. When the light blinks you can test the connection at the accuator and have 12 volts. you can hear the trans accuator going in and out, or at least it sounds like it is. But if the trans wasnt going in all the way would it send 12 volts to the dif accuator? could this be some sort of ground issue?

The most likely cause is the xfer case encoder motor. The first signs of failure are what your symptons match.

Another point worth mentioning is repeated use of the switch, like you say you've done can cause the encoder to lock up and lose its ability to fully engage. Usually when it locks up...a power down cycle will return it to normal operation. Try to limit the amount of switch activations to the mininum.

When you have 4HI or 4LO selected you should have 12v at the brown and light blue wire at the front actuator. The brown should have 12v anytime the ignition is on. Chances are, is that you are losing power to the light blue and that might be caused by a bad splice at the transfer case switch(where the brown for the actuator is spliced into the brown wire from the 4x4 fuse) or possibly a bad switch

Ill check it out. Thanks

This thing is driving me crazy. It has worked everytime up until a year ago. Now it just flashes at me when I try to lock it in. The crazy part is the problem comes and goes. When I bought this pickup the guy put the new and improved accuator on it (the one with the motor).

I have swapped out accuators from one to another No change in the way the 4x4 works. Still the problem comes and goes. I have tried to make it fail by locking it in and out 10 to 20 times on the way to work, and it will work every time. I just quites when you need it. The other thing I have noticed is if it just blinks you can shut the engine off and start it up in a half hour or so it is locked in and working. But will some times start to blink and no 4x4.. When the light blinks you can test the connection at the accuator and have 12 volts. you can hear the trans accuator going in and out, or at least it sounds like it is. But if the trans wasnt going in all the way would it send 12 volts to the dif accuator? could this be some sort of ground issue?


Pull codes and post back code no.