Help Stuck in 4x4 low with no turn signals

[NESSIEJEAN]

I have been having trouble with brake light and turn signals. There is a random crackling noise in the steering column when turning with signal on. Now the truck is locked in 4x4low and I can't get it out. I can live without the lights for right now but I have to get it out of 4wheel low. Is there some way to do this for a person with little automotive experience. Help

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

What year is your Explorer?

-Rod

[NESSIEJEAN]

Gotta guy looking at it on Monday. Gonna take steering column apart to see what is going on.

Originally Posted by shorod

Welcome to the forum!

What year is your Explorer?

-Rod

[NESSIEJEAN]

2001

[shorod]

People on this forum have reported issues with the transfer case shift module/shift motor. You should try using the "Search this forum" feature from the Explorer forum main page to see if anyone had symptoms matching yours and what it took to fix it.

I don't see a tie between the shift system and the brake and turn signals, except the Generic Electronic Module (GEM) has a Brake Pedal Position input to it.

If you have a multimeter and understand how to use the resistance (ohm) settings, you could check the condition of the selector switch for the 4WD. Between the white/light blue wire and the gray/red wire you should have 3.9kohm (Auto), 1.1kohm (4WH) or 360 ohm (4WL) resistance depending on the switch position.

The issue with the turn signals is probably due to a faulty multifunction switch (fairly common issue). As for the crackling noise, depending on the noise, it may be normal. There will be a clicking noise every few degrees of turn of the steering wheel for the turn signal cancellation cam.

-Rod