We are stuck in Nashville with our 2008 ranger. We are towing it behind motorhome and when we hooked up this morning the neutral tow indicator light would not come on. It usually clicks when it is set and did not do that as well.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Well the light is just a light, it indicates transfer case is in Neutral for towing.

I would check fuses first, are the 4x4 indicator lights working?
Can you shift transfer case?

 

There seems to be no other problems. It always flashes then there is a click when light stays on. We tried it in 4x4 2x4 and no problems.

 

Our option is too leave it idling in neutral the rest of the way home.

 

Does the shifter line up in Park Reverse Neutral and Drive?
i.e. could the **** cable be a little off

Foot on brake
key turn 1 click
shift to neutral
Neutral Tow Light should flash
Hear 1 or 2 clicks
Neutral Tow Light should be on solid

 

Yes the shifter seems to be fine. It has always worked as we have been on the road for 10 weeks. We have never had a problem before today.
A guy in the park here told me to go run it in 4x4 and 2x4, reverse and then try again. I will do that in the morning and post my results. He said its happened to him a couple times and that is what he did. We will see. :)

 

How do we shift the tranfer case to neutral? I did not think that was an option on Rangers.

 

sounds like an addition that was made for towing only neutral I've ever seen on a 4x4 ranger was when someone added a manual t-case from another vehicle. Or i see they are from Canada maybe an option the American Ranger didn't have?

 

Hey Guys....thanks for all your help. I was only stating what I was told from ford dealer. Anyway problem was resolved by running it in 4x4, reversing etc... Not sure why it worked but it did.
As for our ranger, it is American built and was ordered special for towing as owner was 88 when he bought it for his rv and had it rigged for towing. Guess I was just meant to stay one more night here.
As said I appreciate the opportunity to chat with experienced trades people who love what they do.
On the road again!

 

Gotcha but the driving in 4x4/reverse being computer controlled 4x4 i think there is a fail safe in there if it registers a vehicle speed but sees the case is in neutral it may freak out a bit driving in 4x4 may reset the faults just a guess on my part but would make sense given the symptoms.

 

The "Flat towing" or "Neutral Tow Kit" requires a software change to computer, Ford Dealers can do this.
It adds the ability to shift transfer case to Neutral, this prevents transmission from spinning when vehicle is being towed.
The software senses the input I posted above, foot on brake, key turned 1 click, (engine off)shift trans to Neutral.
The new software then flashes newly added Neutral light, moves transfer case shift motor to Neutral position, position is confirmed by steady neutral light.


I would imagine that the shift motor was acting up, this is a common issue with the electric shift Rangers, running it "thru the gears" got the shift motor brushes cleaned up(the common problem) and motor was free to shift to Neutral again.

The backing up part disengages the front Auto Hubs

Glad you got it working

 

no 01+ 4wd ranger had auto hubs...it was a live axle set up