I just recently bought a used fx4 with 148k and everything appears to be engaging but front wheels not pulling. I've already replaced the IWE solenoid behind the battery to avail, my question is, when I put it in 4H, light comes comes on, but I don't "feel" the transfer case engage, when I put it in 4L, light on I feel it shift. So could the shift motor not be engaging the front driveshaft even though the lights come on?

 

Forgive me, I'm a new member here as am I new to Ford. I was raised around chevy, and I figured, what the heck I'll give Ford a shot. So bare with as I'm not experienced with the new generation of fords, and thanks for accomodating me.

 

Do the halfshafts turn with the wheel if you jack the front end up with the engine off?

 

Well I haven't jacked it up yet, but I broke the vacuum line between the solenoid and intake, and in 2wd the half shafts turn, and still in 4wd front drive shaft and half shafts turn but no pull from front wheels

 

With the front driveshaft, and the axle shafts turning in 4x4 it sounds like you have a problem with one or both of the actuators at the wheel end. There is a very nice write up pinned to the top of this forum that should help you out with your diagnosis. I have replace quite a few of the actuators. They can leak vacuum and never dissengage or the teeth can wear out and they will not engage have seen both problems. Very likely your dealing with wore out teeth on one or both possibly due to a faulty solenoid (that you already replaced) or water, ice, debris in the lines causing intermittent engagement.

 

Ok I jacked it up, engine off, drivers side shaft turns with wheel, pass side does not, the broke vacuum line should not matter when engine is off, correct?

 

Ok, thanks. I have a small warranty on this truck, I just hope it covers the actuators, I'll have to put it in the shop, as I don't have tools or time to do this repair. If I may ask, what is the cost of replacing one of the actuators?

 

The part is $100-125 depending on where you buy it. And probably about 2 hours of shop time

 

No the broken vacuum line has no effect on that as the actuator should be engaged without vacuum. The broken line will cause it not to disengage.

 

Well that don't sound to bad....so would u say is likely the pass side actuator? Or could it possibly be the vent tube on the pass side? If I'm understanding this right.

 

Ok, with the wheels on the ground and the engine off I can spin the pass side half shaft by hand, but not the drivers side oh and I fixed the broken vac line