I have a 98 ranger extended cab with 4x4, 4.0 automatic trans. I am having trouble with the 4wd shifting into 4wd. I live in Springfield, IL and this is a second vehicle for me. Yesterday I backed it out into the snow moved the 4wd switch to 4H and it pulled through a deep drift. Got into the street and shifted it back to 2wd, now it will not go back to 4wd. The light blinks 4wdHigh / 4wdLow and the front wheels will not pull in snow or ice. Haven't used 4wd in a year? Since last winters snows.

 

check the engine compartment fuse panel

on the bottom right there 2 relays 1 is for traction control , the 1 is for 4wd

check to make sure both relays are firmly seated in their sockets

i had the same issue last night , the transfer case would not shift out of 4 low

because of the extreme cold air and heat from the engine caused the fuse panel plastic to warp forcing the 4wd relay out of it`s socket ( hence it will not shift )

 

I will check it. It is now stuck in 4 low and won't come out. Ready to take it to a local shop to see if this doesn't fix the problem. Thanks!

 

with no key in the ignition , remove each relay 1 by 1 and firmly reseat them

with key in ignition switch , start engine , shift tranny into neutral , press and hold main brake pedal

slowly switch between 2wd and 4 wd high , stereo off , carefully listen for relay clicking sound from passenger side fuse kick panel

hear clicking but still will not shift , get out of truck , grab a small sledge hammer and gently tap on the motor housing ( might be frozen water inside shift motor housing )

got it wrong , the relay that popped out of it`s socket feeds power to the traction control and transfer case shifting motor

 

I know this is an old thread - but I solved the same problem by cleaning the connection in the plug on the back of the transfer case. Works like new. Shift on the fly 4 hi and neutral with brake on to get in and out of 4 low.