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Post by kd0bwq on Feb 26, 2009 17:59:49 GMT -5
I just bought a 2001 Sport. When in 2 wheel drive the 4 wheel icon flashes constantly and periodically the Anti-lock break light comes on. When I put it in 4 wheel drive the 4 Wheel Icon stays on solid. It drives great and shifts in and out of 4 wheel fine. I read shifting it in and out of 4 wheel repeatedly might loosen up the switches as that may be the problem but also read there is a part under the breather that may be the problem. Which problem does it sound like? Also I read cleaning the switches may fix the problem. Where are the switches and how do you get to them? Love this forum and has been a great help.
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Post by dirtracker on Feb 27, 2009 2:16:37 GMT -5
I just bought a 2001 Sport. When in 2 wheel drive the 4 wheel icon flashes constantly and periodically the Anti-lock break light comes on. When I put it in 4 wheel drive the 4 Wheel Icon stays on solid. It drives great and shifts in and out of 4 wheel fine. I read shifting it in and out of 4 wheel repeatedly might loosen up the switches as that may be the problem but also read there is a part under the breather that may be the problem. Which problem does it sound like? Also I read cleaning the switches may fix the problem. Where are the switches and how do you get to them? Love this forum and has been a great help. |
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Post by dirtracker on Feb 27, 2009 2:51:38 GMT -5
It happend to me twice on my 2000 sport XLS at around 70 thousnd miles and around 135 thousand miles.The first it took me awhile to diagnose it. 90% it could be the front wheel drive free wheel vacumm solenoid switch.
Where it is located ? Under the power steering reservoir.It costs around 75 to 90$ from mit dealer.It is an easy fix.
What will happen if this part goes bad is your front drive axle does not disengage at 2wd will hurt fuel consumption,In some cases it will cause a grinding noise and a thump when coming to a stop or when turning and your ABS light off after 15 min of driving.
If you take it to the dealer let them check this vacumm solenoid switch first before doing any extensive diagnosting.
You have to be carefull if you take your truck to outside repair shops they might let you replace alot of stuff not mentioning transfer case.I see a lot of shops done it.
If you are near my place I can fix it.
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Post by kisses on Feb 28, 2009 4:16:10 GMT -5
If they said that the frequent switching can cause the problem, then why did they manufacture those kind of vehicle? Where did you read those solution, have you tried those? Look at the switches too. I've read that some dodge parts are like those too. Really need to check and sometimes to replace them too. |
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Post by kd0bwq on Feb 28, 2009 16:31:18 GMT -5
I wasn't very clear in my first post. Putting it in and out of 4 wheel drive was supposed to loosen the switches and fix the problem and I read it on this forum. I have tried to loosen the switches with no success. I haven't tried replacing the parts mentioned. It drives fine and the 4 wheel drive works well also. When in 2 wheel drive it is for sure in 2 wheel drive so it is working properly but the light still flashes when in 2 wheel drive.
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Post by dirtracker on Mar 1, 2009 7:49:41 GMT -5
I wasn't very clear in my first post. Putting it in and out of 4 wheel drive was supposed to loosen the switches and fix the problem and I read it on this forum. I have tried to loosen the switches with no success. I haven't tried replacing the parts mentioned. It drives fine and the 4 wheel drive works well also. When in 2 wheel drive it is for sure in 2 wheel drive so it is working properly but the light still flashes when in 2 wheel drive. Yes you are right the 4wd will always work if engaged or disengaged to 2wd even if that VSS fails.If you are in 2wd mode the front drive axle is disengaged from the transfercase.The purpose of VSS switch is to supply vacumm to front differntial axle disconnect w means your front drive axle is in free wheel means not spinning. Now if this switch goes bad there is no vacumm supplied to front axle disconnect in 2wd mode in this case your front axle is still turning eventhough you are 2wd.Now the sensor sense that there is a problem it will blink. Ok to make it easy for you to understand.Block the rear wheels jack up the driver side front wheel.Run the engine idling at park with transfercase in 2WD mode.Now have somebody spin the wheel look at the front axle drive shaft .It should not spin if it does there goes your problem. Make sure your engine is idling if its turned off there will be no vacumm it will spin. Now you will ask me why is the ABS light is on after a few minutes. They design it so you are going to take it to them for repairs immediately.Do you think it will concern most people to have it check if the 4wd just blink hell no right. Just like the alternator when it goes bad brake lights & charging light turns off. The 4wd system for montero sport is little bit hard to understand but is reliable means it was designed to work even though there is problem. It will still work you will not get stuck in 2WD when you need it. Other manfacturers uses vacumm to engage front axle your sport uses it to disengaged w/c is better? Last how many miles you have on this truck? |
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Post by kd0bwq on Mar 1, 2009 16:05:26 GMT -5
Thank you so much. That gives me a little peace of mind and i understand whats going on now. Very good info. The Truck has 106000 miles on it and is in great shape. Previous owner took very good care of it. I fell in love with it the first time I drove it. Thanks again.  |
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Post by bjmitch1 on Mar 2, 2009 4:48:01 GMT -5
Gday, i had the same problem on my 04 Challenger (aussie version) after reading this and other forums i fixed the problem quite easily,
- Locate the freewheeling hub solenoid (under the air intake) two switches on the same plate has about four vacuum lines attached bolted to the inner guard, disconnect the electrical lines and inspect for any signs of corrosion, give the electrical connection and the switch a spray with WD40 or other lube spray. plug back it back in and hey presto, flashing light and ABS light fixed.
Talking to a electrician mate of mine and he reckons that since the 4WD circuit hadnt been used in a while it allows a build of corrsion between the terminals insulating the switch and hence the problem, if spraying dont fix it try replcing the switch...
Good Luck
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Post by kd0bwq on Mar 2, 2009 9:23:06 GMT -5
Great info, I'll give it a try and let you know how it comes out. Thanks
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Post by dirtracker on Mar 2, 2009 19:07:29 GMT -5
If they said that the frequent switching can cause the problem, then why did they manufacture those kind of vehicle? Where did you read those solution, have you tried those? Look at the switches too. I've read that some dodge parts are like those too. Really need to check and sometimes to replace them too. Yes I have tried those.I am an ASE certified technician I have all the acces to service database and I have a 2000 mont sport XLS 4wd with 145,000 miles.I own this truck for 6 years and my goal is driving it up to 250,000 miles. |
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Post by camaddy on Mar 2, 2009 19:37:28 GMT -5
I seem to have the opposite problem on my 2000 LS...that is I can't get 4 wheel drive to engage at all. The shifter is fine and I can feel the gearing down shift when in 4 low, but I don't get any power to the front wheels. I have read on this forum that it could be due to a bad "front differential switch", but have no idea where the switch is located. Is this switch in the same area as the vacuum solenoid switch referenced above?
dirtracker - you seem to know a lot about the system....any idea what the problem might be? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by dirtracker on Mar 2, 2009 20:09:43 GMT -5
Gday, i had the same problem on my 04 Challenger (aussie version) after reading this and other forums i fixed the problem quite easily, - Locate the freewheeling hub solenoid (under the air intake) two switches on the same plate has about four vacuum lines attached bolted to the inner guard, disconnect the electrical lines and inspect for any signs of corrosion, give the electrical connection and the switch a spray with WD40 or other lube spray. plug back it back in and hey presto, flashing light and ABS light fixed. Talking to a electrician mate of mine and he reckons that since the 4WD circuit hadnt been used in a while it allows a build of corrsion between the terminals insulating the switch and hence the problem, if spraying dont fix it try replcing the switch... Yup you hit right at the eye. Yes there are two switches in one block they are are energize both at 2wd there are 2 vaccum hoses going to vacumm motor at the front differential one to assist engagement and the other one to dissenge.Now if you switch to 4wd both switches are deenergized so the vaccum will switch to the other hose to help engaged front axle.NOW YOU WONDER WHY I SAID HELP TO ENGAGE? It is because it has spring inside that will still engage it even without vaccum at 4wd mode. If you dont believe me crawl underneath and try spin the axles at the front when motor is not running then try it with engine idling. Guys do you now that if you disconnect this FWVSS your 4WD will still work the worst is only your 4wd light will blink at 2wd mode and ABS light will be off a few min of driving. One thing when replacing this switch make sure the hose are properly in place or your 4wd will not work light will kep blinking. Also if this switch is going bad it will also cause grinding weird noises then a hard thump in your front axle as you brake or turn. This is an oppurtunity for a crooked dishonest tech to milk your hard earned money and also a mystery for a brake pad guy. This switch is not complicated if you know how it works.Being monsport fan I could not afford not to share with you guys some knowledge I learned and experience.I hope you will get some ideas. If you have check this FWVSS and still got problems that the time you have to check the 3 switches at the transfer case and also front wheel drive detection swicth at the front axle. Guys please share your experience so will know if it helps. Thanks Good Luck |
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Post by Erwin [PR] on Mar 3, 2009 21:14:40 GMT -5
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Post by kd0bwq on Mar 4, 2009 15:01:06 GMT -5
Well I disconnected the electrical connectors and cleaned them. I didn't see a switch. Is it under the connectors? It was all enclosed as far as I could see. Didn't fix the problem but I didn't locate the switch.
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Post by stickyskunk on Jul 21, 2014 15:15:01 GMT -5
Would anyone be willing to post some pictures? I'm having the same problem with the flashing 4wd light and then the abs light. Also had the loud grind and pop yesterday. Want to make sure Im locating the right part. Thanks!
Edit: Sorry, didn't realize how old this post was. Still need the help though. |
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