So a few weeks back I had to park on my lawn and it was raining out. When I went to move it I had to shift into 4WD low. I was able to get out and thought nothing of it. Then the next day the truck made some noise. I sounded like it was something stuck in the passenger side wheel. It was very intermittent and would only last a few seconds to a minute every once in a while. I went to a car wash and sprayed the undercarriage well. It was still there. I learned that if i heard the noise, i just put the truck into 4WD high and it immediately went away. It did this for like 2 days and has been driving fine for weeks now.

So today I had to go offroad. I got stuck and went to put it in 4wd and nothing. The light never went on. after a little while of road driving i went and tried itr again. The light goes on every once in a while, it will blink sometimes, or it will go on for a little while then go off and then maybe go back on.

I tried the hitting the transfer case motor with a rubber mallet. now the light goes on, but the 4wd doesnt seem to be engaging. If i roll the windows down and turn the switch to 4wd it sounds like its engaging. There is no clunking or anything.

Is it typical if the truck says it in fwd and you are in the mud, would the rear ties spin while the front tires stayed motionless?

A few years ago my mechanic unplugged the vacuum line for the 4wd because it was giving me troubles, but the 4wd has worked since. This is a new thing and I dont know if it is just mud in the motor or a loose wire, but as I said I can here it engaging but the 4wd doesnt seem to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Let me also add that this June I had a new tranny installed by Ford, if this makes any diofference

 

Now when i turn the know I hear nothing. No clicking at all. And the 4WD light will not go on at all. Could a sinple fix just be the solenoid?

 

What the hell. Now it's would get out of four wheel

 

Just a shot in the dark but maybe you need a new transfer case switch motor. Sounds like its not switching in and out correctly. Usually when you have a 4WD problem and the dash light comes and goes with the problem its a switch motor problem. Tapping on it just might not be enough.

 

Thanks for the response. Im hoping its something like the motor and not the whole t case. Is it complicated to replace the motor or is it basically plug and play?

One question though. Now the light wont budge. its always off. I dont ever hear the relay attempt to switch anymore. Could that just be the motor finally dying?

 

Ya, thats what im thinking. As far as the motor being plug and play, i could not tell you, i havent had to change one. I dont think its that bad. I would probably say that the switch motor is the problem, they seem to be what everyone has problems with if their
4WD problem isnt vacuum related with the front end.

 

Do you know the part number for the t case switch motor?

 

Sorry I do not. Try a search on the main forum page for transfer switch motor. Im sure you'll find alot. Sorry im not much help right now. Im doing this from my phone