I test drove a nice 1995 SR today, everything was great except the front wheel light indicator lights would flash until you put it in 4wd. What is the most common cause of this? The central lock and rear axle seem to work o.k. although maybe a little slow to disengage. But that might be because the only place I could test was in shallow gravel. Overall a very nice ride.

Let me add about the dash lights, once you engaged the 4wd they would go solid, back to 2wd and they would flash. It seems like more of a switch out of alignment then anything else. ??

This seems to be common on Monteros, mine has done this since day one. It recently would not stop so i removed the fuse. Monteros seem to have switch and light buld issues. Not such a big deal with the four wheel indicator because it is lever operated so you know what range you are in with out the light.

Thanks, that's what I figured. I was concerned about something mechanical hanging up but it really drove well.

The lights flash from the Active-Trac ECU that's monitoring the various switches which are inputs to it. If the front slider switch which shows that the front diff is engaged/ or not engaged is acting up, then the ECU isn't happy. Usually the lower set of lights which show 2-wheel drive burn out over time since they're always being run by the ECU, and you just need 2 new bulbs. If the previous owner hasn't engaged the front axle for 4-wheel drive in awhile, the system DOES seem to get a bit temperamental. If you could have spent more time with the Montero, working the system through its places/ranges, it might have calmed down after awhile. Loose vacuum hoses for the vacuum motor at the front diff and for the vacuum solenoids that run this system can act up too.
Someone had popped the main feed hose off the top vacuum solenoid on mine when I first started to look at it. Reattached the hose by the left valve cover, worked the system in and out of 4-wheel High for a few days in the winter, and all was well.
I DO seem to have the best and fastest engagement of the system by going straight into 4-wheel High or Low center diff lock with the truck standing still and in neutral, then going back to 4-wheel High once the front axle slider has moved over into place if I only want that range and the T-box diff unlocked.
Running the vehicle at higher speeds well under the engagement limit[62mph?] and trying to get it into 4-wheel High with me letting off the accelerator pedal hasn't worked like the manual states. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> I still have better luck at a standstill. Besides, I'm a little nervous having that diff engage with the spinning parts at higher mph's anyway. I know Mitsu states it's made for it with the shift-on-the-fly, but they're not buying me any parts if something goes wrong. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> Houston

Houston.. do you have any pics of your truck? sounds like it is just the same as mine, but i have the 30's on still. I don't want to go too big, but I still need manly tires, and want to see what 31's look like. I assume that you have the stock alloy's?

Well yes and no <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I tried to upload pictures onto this board via Montypics, but I can't seem to figure out what I'm missing. Not sure which URL to load for the link to work. Until I get that worked out, I'm pictureless <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" /> Houston

31's are just about right on a 95Sr,
That is what we had, still a good snap at full throttle, adequate off-road and the wider footprint helps handling abit. We now have 32x11.5 and they are very nice offroad, but have sucked a little torque. (Bigger tires raise your effective gearing lowering your engine revolution at steady speeds <img border="0" alt="[Nerd]" title="" src="graemlins/nerd.gif" /> this can help mileage on the highway to a point of diminishing returns)

Anywho here is ours in COLo on 31x10.5 michelin-AT. Which I would not recomend, as far as the brand goes, the size was nice though.

<img src="http://pics.montypics.com/fordmontero/2003-05-08/1052422729_Our_Montero_On_Cinnamon_Pass.jpg" alt=" - " />

And here at the house, I should have used a filter on the camera

<img src="http://pics.montypics.com/fordmontero/2003-05-08/1052422844_Montero_3.jpg" alt=" - " />

Hi new to the board,

just got a 94 LS and i love it. question is the green light stays on on the right side of the rear 4 wheel indicator. it wasn't before i bought it but now stays on. need advise on how to get rid of that or how to fix it.

thanks in advance

94Monty, If I am reading this right you say the right rear wheel light is on all the time. This means your left rear wheel light is burned out; as both lights should be on all the time.