got stuck today, cut on 4x4. The low and high 4x4 light blinked, five times. Got home, reset computer (unplugged hot and ground, touched the ends, re-connect battery) Now 4x4 works?!

what could it be?

 

it's a 2000 mazda b3000

 

Just as an FYI, 1983 thru 2011 Ranger/Mazda 4x4s never used the PCM(engine computer) as part of the 4WD system, 4x4 systems have always been self contained

1995 to 2000 use GEM module as 4x4 controller, but if 4WD lights on the dash flashed when 4WD was selected it means GEM is OK, most likely issue was shift motor
Shift motor was not moving when when GEM "told it to", so GEM flashed the 4WD lights to notify driver
Shift motor has brushes that can loose contact with rotor, so stop working, tapping on them or vehicle just bouncing around on the road can re-set the brushes so motor works again

GEM module does have a full time power fuse, for its internal timer and keyless entry use, unhooking the battery would have cut power to GEM
But GEM doesn't have a "memory" so nothing to reset like a PCM

 

hit the starter, worked for awhile. 4x4 worked yesterday, but now it does nothing. I cut the switch on, hear nothing, no light at all (no blinking light)

is there a diagnostic flowchart on the web?

thank you

 

Yes, try this article: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...d_module.shtml

The 4WD switch in the dash is just 3 resistors
Has 2 wires, grey/red and white/blue that go to the GEM(4x4 controller)
With GEM connector unplugged you can use OHM meter to test resistance between the 2 wires to make sure switch is not the issue
3,870 ohms for 2wd
1,090 ohms for 4wd high
357 ohms for 4wd low
These are approximate, each switch will be slightly different

 

now it's working again, intermediate issue

I checked the wire harnesses, none seem to be burned out

I could only find the switch online, guess i'll try replacing switch, for now

 

4X4 Is working now, but would like to replace motor (on transfer case). I keep coming across round 7-pin motors, but I have a round 8-pin motor. What do I do?

 

Replaced motor, working great, The 8th pin, went to transfer case, had to re-pin the wire harness. Explained the other pin