Oh, this is in a navigator? Sorry, i was thinking F150. Sorry

 

2005 Expedition XLT...................

 

We had one in the shop IWE was bad.

Thanks for the info....

 

Good info.

 

Thanks for the excellent info. Here is my journey


Replaced the IWE Solenoid (firewall) - didn't fix the problem

Replaced both actuators (put on new front brakes / rotors also ) - problem much better , but still chattering from time to time

Replaced the two check valves - I think all is good, it's been a week and no chattering !!!

Couldn't have done it without the great detail and encouragement throughout the thread that you don't have to be a trained Ford tech to do this



2004 Screw Lariat 4x4 ~150k and driving it everyday

 

Yep, those stupid little check valves can cause a world of headache!

 

I bought my second 4x4 FORD F-150 (4 all together) couple months ago. Had some 4x4 issues. I had little 4x4 knowledge, but long time mechanical abilities and desires to tear in and fix. Your Post on IWE systems really made a big difference in understanding, once I got into the sytem, and related how it worked. THANKS AGAIN. Where did the camero reference sneak into your FORD Pictured user ID?

 

My first car was a 89 camaro. I got it when I was a junior in high school 13 years ago. I've fixed it up since then and only drive it when its nice and to car shows.

 

I was a chevy man up till about 5 years ago when I got my first ford f150

 

Welcome to the truly good side of the auto mechanical world. I have been a FORD guy for many years with a couple of diversions to our import world. Came back every time with my butt red, and my patience thin. Your IWE article should be a automotive bible entry somewhere, thanks again.

 

Guys, I am helping a friend with a 2005 F150 and this thread is great but I still have a question. the right side actuator was clicking/grinding so I assumed it was bad. Did the pressure test and it checked out fine. So I checked the left one out of curiosity and it wont build any pressure at all. I am 100% positive the right one was making the noise, not the left one. We swapped the solenoid on the firewall just because we already had one, and now the noise is gone. This fix would make sense if both actuators held pressure but I am baffled why the left/drivers side has never made any noise at all and wont hold pressure. It seems to engage and disengage like its supposed to so I am at a loss. What am I missing?

 

Had the reverse of a similar issue. The right actuator was shot (would not disengage), found hose leak, fixed the leak, and then the problems started. The new stronger vacuum in the system made the left side (drivers) partially engage and disengage on demand, but it was a grinding operation on the left. Took apart both sides, and of course found bad actuator fully engaged on right, but found left (good) actuator had ground down the hub beyond useable, while operating on reduced vacuum when the leak was present. Also, did you take the system hoses apart near the solenoid? Are you sure you put the hoses from the solenoid to the correct locations? The excess vacuum in the resevoir tank will keep both the actuators disengaged and quiet when you try to use 4 wheel... did for me. In fact the actuators will not engage when fed from the resevior side of the vacuum system. Switch the hoses connections away from the solenoid and see what happens. It's easier to switch the hoses from source and delivery points than at the solenoid. Sorry, but I don't remeber for sure, but I think the top hose at the solenoid that has to go to the actuator vacuum supply system. Hope this helps and Good Luck.

 

I wish I would have discovered this forum about a year ago. Just to give you some background I have a 2004 f-150 with a manual 4wd shift. About a year ago my 4x4Hi light came on and would not go off. I was under the assumption that the truck was in two wheel drive by the way it steered. Took it to dealer and they replaced the instrument cluster. Worked for about a month or two and the light came back on. I kept driving it thinking it was only the light on the dash and my warranty expired. Just had to replace spider gears and both front springs and struts at 50,000. Springs were both cracked. 4x4Hi light is still on. Could my repairs have been caused by the IWE System and how do I check and fix. Thank you in advance for any help.

 

SO, i finally got my truck in the garage and checked both sides with my vacuum pump.

the noise was coming from the pass. side, when checked with the pump it would not hold vacuum at all...no surpise as i figured that actuator was bad...BUT

i checked the drivers side and i could pump the pump up and get vacuum but it would bleed off rather quickly. so my thought is that the pass side is bad and the driver side is on its way out and only stay's disengaged because the engine is making constant vacuum?

just wanted to be reassured that the actuators are bad, so if i hook the vacuum pump to the actuator and it will not even hold any vacuum then its bad correct?
just seems odd both actuator's would be bad and the truck only has 36K on it? although after buying the truck i did notice what looks like some minor front pass.
side damage that had been repaired by the dealership. was thinking someone might of hit a deer with it when on lease.

 

Yes, if you apply vacuum and it will not hold, the actuators are shot, (unless you got a vacuum guage that isnt working right like i did, lol)