F150 question

[hypocritexposer]

Jumped in the truck this morning, flipped it into 4x4, and it did not engage.

any suggestions on where to start?

 

[per]

Easy stuff first. Check the fuses under the dash and under the hood.

 

[leanin' H]

I'd say look right near the front of the hood, near the grill, in the direct front of the radiator. You'll find an oval shaped doohickey with the letters F...O...R...D! Nuff said! :wink:

 

[hypocritexposer]

Easy stuff first. Check the fuses under the dash and under the hood.

I had checked the fuses, no problem there. I have no way of knowing about the relay switches though?

 

[hypocritexposer]

I'd say look right near the front of the hood, near the grill, in the direct front of the radiator. You'll find an oval shaped doohickey with the letters F...O...R...D! Nuff said! :wink:

ya, and after 175,000 km (105 mi) it hasn't fallen off, so that's not the problem.


I'm thinking it might be the IWE vacuum solenoid, after doing some reading.

probably good for about a $700 touch

 

[DustDevil]

Could be just unplugged, too.
I prefer the fuse-less transfer case engage, ie, another stick beside the main gearbox stick.

 

[Silver]

Sometime they just hang up, and you gotta wiggle the dial in and out a whole bunch of times. Especially if they've been wet or in a bunch of snow / slush freezing and thawing temps, etc.

 

[little bow rancher]

are they automatic hubs???

 

[hypocritexposer]

are they automatic hubs???

yep

Silver, I had a problem with the switch itself previously. Light wouldn't come on, but it engaged (fixed itself). Now the light comes on, but does not engage

When the 4-wheel drive system is in 2WD mode, the 4x4 module (PCM) supplies a ground path to the IWE solenoid to apply vacuum to the integrated wheel ends (disengaging the front hubs from the front halfshafts). In 4WD mode, the 4x4 module (PCM) does not supply the ground path to the IWE solenoid, vacuum is not applied to the integrated wheel ends and an internal spring keeps the front hubs engaged to the front halfshafts.

so, I am assuming it may still be electrical

 

[RSL]

My 250 uses vacuum pressure to engage 4x4, but has hubs that you can lock in the event you hit something that destroys the line. If the electronics/fuses seem to be working, then it may be one of the vacuum lines has come off.

 

[John SD]

I'd say look right near the front of the hood, near the grill, in the direct front of the radiator. You'll find an oval shaped doohickey with the letters F...O...R...D! Nuff said! :wink:

Yep, LH correctly diagnosed the problem! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :wink:

Seriously, I don't know the solution to the problem and hope it's a minor glitch that is easily and economically remedied.

I might cuss it a lot, but posts like this make me thankful that my old '85 F...O...R...D still has manual lockout hubs and a lever to shift!

 

[Larrry]

TRy looking on the transfer case, there is an electric actuator motor. I think three bolts will take it loose the see if it turns. If not try tapping it or try turning it with a crescent wrench and see if it frees up. A lot of times you can get them to free up, if not and it requires a new one.. I think around 300 bucks.

 

[per]

Did you get that thing going? If it is anything like here you might need it.

 

[Aaron]

Larry is right about the actuator near the front axle. Also could be the vacuum solenoids under the hood. Have two people. One shift the 4WD on and off with truck running and in PARK. Other underneath truck and see if actuator engages. Stealership charges about $300 for one. Get aftermarket off Ebay for $100. Solenoids I think are about $80 at the stealership.

With the automatic hubs, and no 4WD, it easy to diagnose it as likely vacuum problem. Take to dealership or mechanic with a vacuum tester and have them single out the specific problem, solenoid or actuator. You can rent a tester out from someplace like NAPA, but they are expensive (~$50-$100/day).

If need more help, PM me. Always willing to help out Ford guys.