4WD SHIFT LIGHT BLINKING

[coachmorin]

Hi everyone,

I have bought a QX4, 2001 3.5L, 1 month ago and I'm pretty impressed.


Changed many parts(suspension, cooler oil seals etc) and all is good now, except 4WD shift light. At first, when changing the selector button, everything was ok. Then I think I messed up the procedure for 4LO to 2WD.

Here's what I have:

-No 4WD warning light on(sometimes it does turn on on hard acceleration on wet surface then turn off at the next start)

-4LO light is ok and will engage, 4H light is ok and will engage.

-When I turn it on AUTO, the lock flashes, front and rear wheels are steady green.

-When I turn it on 2WD, the lock is flashing, the front wheels are flashing, and the rear wheels are steady green.
What does it means? Still on 4WD?

I really need help here. Infiniti took a look, 3 hours, found no faulty parts. They say it could be anything and they need more hours to continue searching...125$ per hour...

I have read the manual, tried the procedure, but nothing changed.

Is there a way to reset the system?

Any ideas?

thanks all !!!

[coachmorin]

anyone?

[ARKQX33V6]

After placing in 4WD then into 2 WD drive forward a few feet then backwards a few feet and light blinking should stop. Does your 2 speed transfer case grind when engaging 4 WD?.

If so drain and refill the transfer case, keep the old oil and look for filings.

[coachmorin]

-No grinding noise
-Transfer case oil changed(was pretty black)
-Tried your steps, tried the shop manual steps, no luck for now.

I have tested the 4x4 system on wet grass. Seems it does go into 2wd mode, 4wd mode, and 4 lo mode...

But the lights keep blinking on 2wd mode, and lock is blinking on AUTO mode.

Any more ideas? Anyway to reset the memory maybe?

[coachmorin]

UPDATE:

-I did change the transfer case oil filter with new full sythetic oil this time
-Change front and rear differential oil with full sythetic
-Oil change to full synthetic
-New tires
-alignement

Light is still blinking. But, new thing. when I accelerate hard, the 4wd warning light come on. If I stop and restart the engine, it's gone...

When switching mode, I can hear the transfer motor working...but I don't hear anything going to 4H to 2WD...

Any ideas?

[fleurys]

You do know that the oil that goes in the transfer case is transmission oil right ? So you put synthetic trans oil in it ? I can only tell you that last time it did happen to me , it was directly related to my oil in the transfer case that was dark black... after my oil change (with regular dexron 3 trans oil) , my problem never came back...

[coachmorin]

Yes for Trans oil. Had to sent the QX4 to the dealer, never been able to unscrew the plug...And yes, the oil was pitch black...probably the 2001 original oil....And the filter was in bad shape too. I will run it that way this week-end and see.

[fleurys]

Yes for Trans oil. Had to sent the QX4 to the dealer, never been able to unscrew the plug...And yes, the oil was pitch black...probably the 2001 original oil....And the filter was in bad shape too. I will run it that way this week-end and see.

I sens that something is wrong in your answer or maybe you mean more than I understand because when you say <the filter was in bad shape too> it brings me to think that you may me talking about the transmission and not the transfer case... because there is no filter in the transfer case.... so you are positive they changed the transfer case oil ??

[coachmorin]

yes there is a filter in the transfer case...When I say bad shape, I mean very dark...see page 118 in the FSM. Cost 206$CA.

[fleurys]

yes there is a filter in the transfer case...When I say bad shape, I mean very dark...see page 118 in the FSM. Cost 206$CA.

After verifying your answer , I was very surprised to learn that there is afterall a filter for the transfer case... I just learned something new here... Tks alot Hopefully your TC will stop acting up after this...
S.

[coachmorin]

no prob. Will continue to seek solution for that blinking 4wd shift light...

[ARKQX33V6]

What happens when you travel forward or reverse after selecting 2wd or 4wd.? The blinking lights should stop. When at the dealer what did they tell you.
As a precaution I change the Trans, transfer and pumpkins every 2 years with new lubes, not synthetics because it won't be in there too long. Cheap insurance

[fleurys]

i'm thinking maybe the front revolution sensor may not detect that you are moving... Have you tried mesuaring the resistance between the different terminal of this connector ? Have a look at the TF fsm section in the component inspection section. I guess I would take a few hours with a voltmeter and I would start checking all the components that I can without having to remove the TF... At least you'll start elimintaiong stuff that you know works...

S

[coachmorin]

This morning, it was icy everywhere so I had the chance to test the 4wd system....Still having problem. it seems the system is ALWAYS in 2wd mode. I turn the switch to 2wd, Auto, 4wd, no difference...rear wheel are spinning...Until 4wd warning light comes on then the Front wheel engage...weird...4wd shift light is still flashing on all mode except 4lo. Does that gives you an idea? 2wd\4wd switch? Transfer motor?

[asnorton44]

This morning, it was icy everywhere so I had the chance to test the 4wd system....Still having problem. it seems the system is ALWAYS in 2wd mode. I turn the switch to 2wd, Auto, 4wd, no difference...rear wheel are spinning...Until 4wd warning light comes on then the Front wheel engage...weird...4wd shift light is still flashing on all mode except 4lo. Does that gives you an idea? 2wd4wd switch? Transfer motor?

I'm having pretty much same problem on my 01 Q, have you run the diagnostic?

[coachmorin]

I'm gonna try again. Never been able to get a code that way. Will let you know later today. I have to also change a coilpack on cylinder #6 and it's snowing hard. ;(

[coachmorin]

update: After I have change the plug and coilpack on cylinder # 6, I went for a test drive. To my surprise, the 4wd system was not blinking anymore, but was operating the way it should. Drove all afternoon in snow. Back on dry pavement, I stopped and put it back on 2wd. No flashing! no 4wd warning light!.....But then...again....I got myself into snow, backwheel spinned....4wd warning light came up....Stop the car. No more 4wd warning light, but again, 4wd shift light is flashing....can it be a ABS sensor?

[SOUTHSHOREQX4]

I went through all this just recently...My light came on only when i accelerated a certain way and sometimes went off off when i braked hard. Was off for 3 days straight when i went hunting and as soon as i came home it was back on. I had my mechanic test drive the car with a solas code reader attached.. as he drove the solas read that the right front speed sensor was reading 0mph...changed it out... $300 later no more warning light....There is more than one sensor so you have to have it checked out to find out which one

[coachmorin]

it was you 4wd warning light, not the shift light I assume. For obscure reasons, everything started to work properly last week-end. No more blinking of the shift light, 2wd, auto, 4h, 4 lo all shift ok and working again.

[TakeOffEh]

I had this happen about a month ago in my Pathy, it was my second week of owning it and I went 4xing to see what it could do. Got to say I'm impressed, got me up a logging road under construction. I was with a friend who also has a Pathy and we had to turn around and head down when we met the excavator coming down the mountain.

Back on topic...I was in 4lo and when I selected 4hi the display was blinking. I put it back in 4lo then selected neutral. Switched to 4hi and blinking was out. I think driving in all/4hi while the display is flashing a warning could be why sensors are burning out and fluids needing to be changed sooner.

[astus]

Please what is the part number for the front revolution sensor? I can't seem to find it. Thanks.