2wd 4wd light flashing - 6 Cylinder Gasoline - Ranger Engine Tech

26^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

I did what you are trying to do a few years back, my home is close to being maintenance free ( although I now have issues that need fixing )

Now Im working on trying to build a second home/garage ( just started the land clearing process on the cheap ) but I plan to pay cash for a majority of its construction. I dont have any way of getting that money except work 6 days a week and save.

Seems like Ive spent my life working toward goals of kinda financial security and I guess Ive kinda/sorta but maybe not got that but it hasnt left enough time to do the things I want to do.

I dont think there is a solution except winning the lotto

Already liked -

Posted: Tue Oct 23rd, 2018 09:38 am

27^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

We all have so much in common its not even funny!

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 07:07 am

28^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

My 4-wheel drive lights are flashing on the dashboard again this morning.

Turning the 4 wheel drive switch has no effect on the truck so I'm assuming that it's the motor that's giving me problems I'm going to assume that there's nothing else that may be giving me problems unless somebody tells me otherwise.

it's hard to believe that a motor that probably has hardly ever been used would give issues like this. I may try to rebuild this motor.

Somebody on a different Forum gave me a link on how to rebuild the motor but for me it wasn't that clear, maybe one of you guys can tell me if it's difficult, if it's easy?

I'm not really much of an electrical person.

I may anyway look for a spare 4 wheel drive motor.

I don't know if there's any four-wheel drive Rangers at the salvage yard but if I can pick one up can anybody tell me what years that they use these motors to and from?

Maybe if I can find a newer model I would find a good motor

Last edited on Wed Oct 24th, 2018 07:49 am by 1930

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 09:14 am

29^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

these motors go bad ALL THE TIME
its because they sit idle and are not used enough

It is EASY to rebuild
There is a plastic spacer inside the stator assembly that dries out over time and breaks apart into pieces. This allows the stator to over rotate and the motor gets "out of position"
You basically are going to take the whole thing apart, clean the armature and brushes on the motor side
Then clean up the stator assembly and replace the missing plastic bushing with a piece of rubber tubing, put it all back together and test it.
That is the basics, these motors have been rebuilt on the bench by people of all skill levels over the years, you can totally do this.
My stock 1988 motor lasted until 340K miles when I finally converted to a manual transfer case. I had rebuilt it twice
You also need to consider deleting the vacuum hubs, they really do suck very badly on the 98-99 ranger. I am not sure if they can cause a flashing 4x4 light, I do not think they can but I am not sure.

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 09:18 am

30^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

410customs wrote:
these motors go bad ALL THE TIME
its because they sit idle and are not used enough

It is EASY to rebuild
There is a plastic spacer inside the stator assembly that dries out over time and breaks apart into pieces. This allows the stator to over rotate and the motor gets "out of position"
You basically are going to take the whole thing apart, clean the armature and brushes on the motor side
Then clean up the stator assembly and replace the missing plastic bushing with a piece of rubber tubing, put it all back together and test it.
That is the basics, these motors have been rebuilt on the bench by people of all skill levels over the years, you can totally do this.
My stock 1988 motor lasted until 340K miles when I finally converted to a manual transfer case. I had rebuilt it twice
You also need to consider deleting the vacuum hubs, they really do suck very badly on the 98-99 ranger. I am not sure if they can cause a flashing 4x4 light, I do not think they can but I am not sure.
Ok so tell me, it it literally just the small electric motor that has to be removed/rebuilt?

Cause it looked like from what I saw online that part of the transfer case had to be removed as well.

Small electric motor no biggie, transfer case dissasembly I simply don't have time for.

I wonder also if the thing never gets used than how does bushing get fd up?

Where can I get the parts needed to rebuild assuming it's just electric motor bushing?

Last edited on Wed Oct 24th, 2018 09:20 am by 1930

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 09:40 am

31^st Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

the bushing dries up over time and falls apart, its more of a plastic spacer.
You only have to remove the motor LOL its like 4 bolts
There is one brown wire that is connected to the t case, no way to disconnect it, some people cut it and splice it back when they are done, I take the time to un pin it from the connector (cleaner, no splice)

It is a large motor assembly (magnets, coil, armature, brushes) what has a worm drive on it that drives the stator assembly. The stator assembly is the electronic feedback portion that talks to the truck. ONce it moves too far one direction it may or may not move back for you = flashing lights

Motors that are used often, like 4-5 times a year at least last alot longer then the ones that never get used

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 09:44 am

32^nd Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

Ok I'll have to post the link of the instructions I was reading over on ranger station, sounded like case had to come apart.

Do you know where I might get clear instructions on how to fix motor?

Getting it off isn't an issues

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 12:29 pm

33^rd Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

let me do some digging find a good post there is likely something on Youtube
The only real trick is to make sure you mark the two pieces of the stator before you take it apart so you can put it back in same position
otherwise it is very straight forward, the ESOF is pretty dang robust considering what people put them through
Ford builds kick ass stuff but all makers have some downfalls...like the vacuum assist hubs!!

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 12:32 pm

34^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

Yours will be something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtB5ZUKLELc

The later model ones improved over time.. the wiring pigtail changed several times. They can all be dismantled and rebuilt quite easily

You do not have to snip any wires sheesh
His motor is from an explorer so it has control trac awd sensors (blue and green wires)
the brown wire you can cut or you can un pin it from the wiring harness
Mark the top of the stator cover to the case, if you look closely you will see the hash marks
This video gives you an idea of what you are in for but this is a earlier version 1991 or so

Last edited on Wed Oct 24th, 2018 12:34 pm by 410customs

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 03:49 pm

35^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

Ok I'll check it out thanks

Already liked -

Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 06:56 pm

36^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

Got in the truck this afternoon and everything working as it should again, no issues at all.

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 09:09 am

37^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

Nice!
When mine used to act up I could hit the button like 10 times and eventually it would shift. So I kept a 10mm around along with some vice grips so if I had to shift it manually I could.... eventually it quit working.

I am not sure if the vacuum hubs can cause flashing 4x4 lights something we should look into.

Now are you considering a manual transfer case conversion along with vacuum hub delete? Alot of Ranger owners go this route eventually :)

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 12:01 pm

38^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

410customs wrote:
Nice!
When mine used to act up I could hit the button like 10 times and eventually it would shift. So I kept a 10mm around along with some vice grips so if I had to shift it manually I could.... eventually it quit working.

I am not sure if the vacuum hubs can cause flashing 4x4 lights something we should look into.

Now are you considering a manual transfer case conversion along with vacuum hub delete? Alot of Ranger owners go this route eventually :)
I've got to be honest, imI really liking the ranger and would like to do some mods but at this point I've got too stick with the plan of getting it running the way it's supposed to and then just parking it out on my property in Ocala for weekend duty.

I'm tired of working on my projects in someone else's shop and if I want to have my own built than I need to get working towards saving money versus spending it.

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 12:15 pm

39^th Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

But okay yes this conversion is totally on my bucket list ðŸ˜

Already liked -

Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2018 12:48 pm

40^th Post

Idahome

Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018

Location: Panhandle, Idaho USA

Posts: 2165

Name: Jamie ...

Occupation: Elevator Design Worlds Tallest Buildings ...

Interests: Ranger Based Vehicles and OFFROAD ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2165

pick your battles!! I have been driving a 1988 Bronco II for like 20 something years, I get it believe me.. I had no shop for like the first 10 of those then a small 1 car, then small 2...and so on
We got this!

____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks

Already liked -

Posted: Sun Oct 28th, 2018 05:49 pm

41^st Post

1930
Member

Joined: Thu Sep 27th, 2018

Location: USA

Posts: 170

Name:

Occupation:

Interests:

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 170

410customs wrote:
pick your battles!! I have been driving a 1988 Bronco II for like 20 something years, I get it believe me.. I had no shop for like the first 10 of those then a small 1 car, then small 2...and so on
We got this!

Attachment: 008.jpg (Downloaded 5 times)

Already liked -