replacing 4wd speed sensors on a 98 (due to flashing 4wd lights)

Another possibility seems to be the accessory delay relay. If that's the culprit, then your power windows would also be failing intermittently.

I just replaced that relay on my '95 yesterday, and it's been working since but that's only a couple of miles - too early to tell if it actually solved the problem.

But the relay is cheap and easy to replace (see the thread "power windows,

Conversely, if you do learn more about the axle speed sensor, post what you learn here, especially if you replace it and it solves the problem!

Which manual do you have? (The Chilton piece-o-junk for the '95 doesn't show wiring diagrams for any of the accessories or auxiliary features, nor does it show relay panel locations. It's utterly useless for any electrical problem I've yet encountered.)

Power windows appear to be working fine. The lights were flashing for hundreds of miles today and the windows went up and down everytime I tried. I either have the Chilton or Haynes manual I'm not sure which but It is a waste of paper as well for electrical. Not like the Bentley manuals that I'm used to for old VW's.

Anyone else with any input?

Steve

You might think about alldatadiy. Its 24.85 for the first year, has wiriing diagrams, manual troubleshooting checklists/guides, and stepby step instructions for repairs, including torque specs and many parts prices. You can save what want on your desktop . TSBs are listed as well..

Much better than the books in the auto parts store.

Problems around the speed sensors or with the sensors themselves are the usual culprit for this problem. I think getting the work done at a dealer runs around $125 including labor and parts, but that was at a rural dealer 5 years ago, so things may have changed. Some have reported success just pulling the sensor and cleaning it. These are Hall-effect devices that read the passage of a gear tooth (tone wheel) and send a pulse to the GEM computer. If the transfer case has never had the fluid changed there may be bits of metal and gunk on the teeth or sensor face that make it unable to cleanly read. Also, look at the connectors themselves and clean them up. I think the sensors are not very expensive, so if you get so far as removing one maybe having a replacement to try wouldn't be a bad idea. If it doesn't fix the situation, replace the next. There are 3 as I recall, 2 of which are specifically for the 4WD system.

Vic

Thanks for the input. I have changed the transfer case fluid several times so that should not be the culprit. Can you get access to the sensors from out side of the case or does the case have to be removed and split open? Anyone else know? I've been inside of manual transmissions before I felt that I got lucky when it all went back together correctly so I don't really want to pull the transfer case all apart if I can help it. If it does require remove and splitting then I think that I would just go with the $125 (probably $225 in Chicago) Thanks Steve

No one here has done this themselves yet? It must be pretty hard then?

I believe you can access the sensors without removing the T-case, although I seem to recall there is one that needs something moved out of the way to reach it. Best to get a manual and CD-versions of the shop manual are available pretty cheap ($5?) on eBay.

=Vic= Bear Gap, PA