Blinking Lights Between 2WD and 4WDH

[KarmannMarco]

Hi guys.

Just bought a 1997 Montero LS and really enjoying it alot! (ill do a build thread eventually)
But I have a questions.
When I test drove it on regular roads before buying it I tested to t-case selections to make sure they all worked (at least visually on the display)
Switches between 2WD / 4WDH flawlessly .... 2 solid rights in 2WD , 4 solid lights in 4WD ...everything else was perfect so I bought it and took it home.
Yesterday morning I wanted to try out the 4WD first hand so I went to some rough backroads and put it in 4WD. All four light on the display turned on as they should and I went in to have some fun. After 30 minutes of fun I got out back on some normal roads and selected the 2WD...the front wheel light blinked for a few second and then turned off to symbolize it was in 2WD again. Drove all day with no issues in 2WD.
On the way home I took the truck back into the trail for a little more fun and put it back in 4WD.... all 4 lights lit up and I was on my way for a bit more fun.
Once done I got back on some normal streets to head home and upon switching if from 4WD to 2WD the front wheel lights just kept on blinking.
Drove home 3-4 miles with the lights blinking , parked and called it a night.
I just went back out to the truck and the front wheel lights were still blinking. Drove it for about a mile and nothing....
When I put it in 4WDH it all 4 lights stay solid right away but everytime I put it back into 2WD the front lights stay blinking.

How long should the switch usually take ?
Any ideas what could be causing this ?
The truck drives great even with the light blinking so Im unsure what to think on it.
Any suggestions are very much appreciated!

-Marco

 

[GrassCat]

Try backing it up. May take a few times, but usually fixes the problem. If that does not work read this article http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1198181&an=0&page=0&gonew=1#UNREAD written buy one of the 4x4 wire members. You can also do a search on the web as this is not a new problem.

 

[KarmannMarco]

Thanks for the advice man! Reverse half a dozen times did the trick. Ill leave it be till next weekend when i can go through the system and find out what the issue is. Thanks for the link!

 

[4x4x4doors]

Not an uncommon thing (per my reading over the years). Sometimes the gears just get strain on them and the reversing lightens the load to allow the vacuum/electirc/motor to disengage fully.

 

[GrassCat]

Thanks for the advice man! Reverse half a dozen times did the trick. Ill leave it be till next weekend when i can go through the system and find out what the issue is. Thanks for the link!

Just use the 4 drive wheel system and you'll be fine. My guess is, the lack of use causes the springs,balls and rods that work the sending units to stick due to lack of lubrication.

 

[YOURDOCTORONLY]

Hey guys say Hola!!! from Puerto Rico!!!, the problem you're having with those lights blinking is coused by the 4x4 sensor, I have two Dakar Edition, a white 97 & my 2000 blue baby, I had the same problem on the 97, and changing that sensor solved my problem :smiley_drive:

 

[off-roader]

...and changing that sensor solved my problem :smiley_drive:

Nice rig doc. Usually cycling the 4wd system does the trick but occasionally the senders do go bad and you have to replace them. Doesn't happen too often but often enough to be a known fix.

 

[SOFpirate]

Yeah, it's not normal if you don't get that issue every once in a while. What works for me consistently is when going between 4H and 2H, I'll coast in neutral while moving. Just enough reverse pressure to pop it right back into 2H.

 

[KarmannMarco]

Thanks for all the reply guys. I have not had a chance to look at it but it has not really posed a huge problem besides the annoyance of flashing lights.
So far some days it wont flash , some days it will flash but when I go over a bump or revers it will stop flashing , some days it will flash all day. lol
Reverse has worked once or twice and sometimes it will just go off on its own after 10 minutes of driving.
All these times ( when not actually in 4WD) the truck feels in 2WD even with the lights flashing.
Is there a good way (besides hitting a trail) to determine weather its in 2WD or 4WD just but how the truck feels ?
I know when Im in 4WD with CDL locked and I do a turn on concrete I can hear my front tires chirp a bit.

Otherwise I really love this truck. Would love a bit more power though... My 95 Rodeo felt peppyer with a 180 hp 3.2L

 

[off-roader]

In terms of verifying if its in 4wd, the transfer case shifter mechanism is a mechanical shifter, not an electronic one. That means if the shifter is in 2wd it will be in 2wd unless you've broken the 1/2" cast steel shift forks which although possible would be extremely unlikely.

Now, there is a possibility the front axle vacuum disconnect can fail., but the wheels would not be driven since the xcase would still be in 2wd mode.

 

[RichardT]

I had a similar problem, but with my center diff staying locked, which made for some interesting driving until I called the dealer, I had already tried backing up a few times, but apparently I hadn't gone far enough, and he told me to drive in reverse about 100 feet, and sure enough that popped it loose.