1998 Ranger 4WD Problem ????

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DarkWaveV2

New Member
I own a 1998 Ford Ranger 4WD 4.0L V6 and I had to put it in 4WD the other day. When I did it shifted into 4HI like its suppose to but when I tried to shift it back to 2HI I got a clicking sound from under the dash, which sounds like a relay trying to switch over, then the 4HI and 4LO lights on the dash started flashing. They flash six times every two min. I have had a loose switch on the dash for a while so I changed that out but it didn't fix anything.

After further troubleshooting I discovered that if I let the truck sit for 10-15 min or more and leave the switch in 4HI I can start the truck and the dash light will just stay on 4HI. I can also change the gears between 4HI and 4LO but when i try to go back to 2HI i get the clicking noise and then the flashing 4HI and 4LO lights. I work quite a bit so I don't get a lot of time to work on my truck but I need to know where to start. If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate the input.

Thanks,

DarkWaveV2
 
Alright I'm sorry to inform you but you had the same problem I did. My Ford dealership told me to shift in and ut of 4x4 like crazy and it would start working correctly, but not forever. So you have a bad vacuum line system set up in this truck. You can A) Go expensive and have all the vaccum lines replaced and it work fine, or B) Lift the front of the truck up on jack stands take the front 2 tires off and take the hub cover off and Remove the metal T clip thats inside the white casing reassemble the hub and put the tires back on lower the truck, and you can now go in and out of 4x4 with no problem. You will now have a live axle setup like the 2000.5- and up ranger 4x4 system setup. Choice is yours.
 
No no.

First check to see if your dome light works...it and the 4wd are tied to a relay under the dash. If the dome doesn't work when your 4wd lights are flashing it could be a bad connection at that relay. That was one issue i had.
 
gcextreme said:
No no.

First check to see if your dome light works...it and the 4wd are tied to a relay under the dash. If the dome doesn't work when your 4wd lights are flashing it could be a bad connection at that relay. That was one issue i had.
Click to expand...
my dome quit as did yours. was that relay 3"x3" ? the solenoid/module is that size I changed mine. or is another relay?
 
I changed the module and the electric motor shift assy, both. but it still doesnt work. and the dome still doesnt. the fuses are good also..
 
Vacuum system suck, on these Rangers. I personally does a swap to a 96- current Explorer. Never regret it, just plug up the vacuum hoses.
 
sry to dig uo old threads but im about to lose my mind about 4x4 mainly. other issues as well but to the main point. ok i replaced both hub and bearing assemblies, got new ridge runner lockouts. i had already switched to manual lock hubs but decided to get new stuff because i could tell one of the hubs would not lock all the way. you could turn it but just before lock position it would stop. anyway i got new stuff was so disappointed that didnt fix my 4x4 problem. 1998 4.0l. the 4wd drive does not click sound and 4wd lights wont come on. when i try put it in 4wd. the lights blink as others have stated. wipers only work in the high setting and sometimes they wont work either. MY CIG LIGHTER SOCKET STILL WORKS BUT THE AUXILARY PORT STOPPED WORKING. ive got water coming in from 2 places. passenger side floor and headliner above back glass. i siliconed every place that i though would stop the leak. nope. its been gradually getting worse. i have electrical issues someboody suggested it might be the gem module. tore dash apart examined GEM module and nothing looks carroded or anything. i have spent a fortune on new parts. still no4x4. i dont know what to do! shiter motor. what if that dont fix. tired of spending money on my old woods beater. scratched all to hell but i dont care lol. BUT I WANT THE 4WD TO WORK!!!!!!!! HELP PLEASE!!! ty if it is a ground wire where do i even start? i know zilch about electrical stuff. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! my mechanic checked all fuses and they were good. he said something electrical....lol REALLY? acted like he didnt want to tackle it. i had a stroke and cant work on truk like i used to.
 
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I would ditch the manual hub, there is no point of going out of your truck to lock into 4x4. You have shift motor that electronically shift into 4wd for you. I am not familiar with the setup, so I won't be much help. As for water leaking from the rear window. It is not the window that is leaking, look at the high mount break lamp. This sucker gasket prong to weathered and leak. I got mine from Ebay or you can just make another from thin foam material. The passenger side floor, there is a drain hole for the heater. Make sure it is not clog or your heater core is not leaking.

As for the electrical, issue. If you or have aftermarket add on. Remove all those first and see if that was the problem. You want to keep everything to original as possible when tackle electrical. As far as I know, the cig lighter is constant (meaning it is on all the time) and the auxiliary port is tied onto your ignition system (key on= power key off=no power).

Thats the most I could tell ya. DON'T GIVE UP!
 
ty for reply. i got someone to help me with the aux power outlet. he hotwired it from radio which hasnt worked in years. mounting new shifter motor when i get my disability check. ive too much invested in manual hubs to go back to auto lock. besides i like manual lock hubs. that auto lock trash got me stuck out in middle of nowhere. vacuum leak. on demand 4x4 got me in a pickle.
 
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