97 Explorer Sport 4x4 Blinks 6 times

[roskowill]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport with All Wheel Drive and the 4x4 light blinks 6 times every couple of minutes while driving. I used the OBD II code puller and it picked up no codes. Any Ideas of what could be the problem. Thanks Will

[Bronco2]

Most simple code pullers will only pull engine codes,not drivetrain. You probably need the dealer or a very good shop.

[Opera House]

Never worked with the AWD but the auto 4WD units get strange when the fluid is low. Transfer cases are highly ignored. When I bought my 97 the lights were flashing. Drained the fluid and only a pint of nasty stuff came out, was supposed to be 1 3/4 quarts. Refilled and disconnected the battery to reset computer. No problems for two years. Did have to replace the leaking rear seal.

[roskowill]

Thanks for the Reply.. I'll check the fluids asap. Mine is a Auto 4WD too. Hopefully thats the problem.. Thanks Again Will

[snafumaster]

Originally Posted by Opera House

Never worked with the AWD but the auto 4WD units get strange when the fluid is low. Transfer cases are highly ignored. When I bought my 97 the lights were flashing. Drained the fluid and only a pint of nasty stuff came out, was supposed to be 1 3/4 quarts. Refilled and disconnected the battery to reset computer. No problems for two years. Did have to replace the leaking rear seal.

Having the same problem with my 97 4dr XLT AWD. My wife called me earlier today about this to tell me about it. She also noticed that it repeats it exactly every two minutes

That solution sounds too simple. So, it's more than likely the correct answer. I have found over the years of being a mechanic that the most obvious answer is usually the correct answer. I'll check it out when the wife comes home with it an I'll report the findings back here.

[stubacca]

I did some research last year on this when our 95 Explorer was doing the same thing. Ours was a gradual decay - it'd do it for a while, then be fine, then do it again etc; always the 6 blinking lights 2 minutes apart.

Mine also stopped the power windows from working, and stopped the 4wd system from engaging (always just RWD, no matter what switch position). Turned out to be a dead relay switch on the transfer case.

I've heard of others where changing the transfer case fluid fixed the problem, and some where the electronic control module needed to be replaced. It doesn't seem to have a consistent answer...