I have a 97 F150 V8 4.6L 4x4

My 4x4 is manual not electric...when i shift the 4x4 in, the transfer case and front wheels engage properly, but when i need to put it back into 4x2, my transfer case disengages but my front wheels are still locked...the only way to get them unlocked, is to take off or switch the vacuum hoses on the plastic 3-prong connector that extends to the 4x4 (solenoids? switches?) located on the firewall behind the battery on passenger side

ive checked the vacuum lines and seems that there are no leaks in them...any help would be appreciated

 

Perhaps the fork that actuates the differential is bent or the solenoid is not releasing vacuum properly.

 

it cant be the fork, because the front wheels lock and unlock...its just that we have to take the engaging vacuum line and switch it with the other line and it releases just fine...i bought a switch from Ford for 57 bucks and it still dont release the vacuum to unlock the front wheels...if its not the other switch, then i dont know what to do but switch the vacuum lines over when i need 4x4

 

check the shift lock switch. It is basically a little prox switch that tells the computer to activate the vacum when you move the lever. it is located on the front side of tje T-case I beleive it is 7/8 remove the wire and use a socket to remove. I had the same probelm on my 97 4.6 4x4 manual t-case. $20 from dealer took 2 days to get it in. very easy fix.