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4x4 not engaging

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Old Jan 18, 2012 | 05:04 PM
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4x4 not engaging

i own a 1999 ford f150 4x4 with 174000 miles on it. when i go to activate the 4 wheel drive, it will go through 4 hi, n, nd 4 low with some fight, and will sometimes give a slight grind/pop when shifting it into low, but the light on the dash wont light up and it wont engage into 4 wheel drive. the front drive shaft spins when it is in 4 wheel drive, but no power to the wheels. i looked at the vacuum lines and the driver side line sucks air in 2 and in 4 wheel drive, but the passenger does nothing. also, the "drum" the lines connect to wont hold pressure with a vacuum tester. would my best bet be a bad seal or a sensor? or something more? hopefully someone here has experience with the same problem and how to fix it. thank you for your time.
 
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Old Jan 18, 2012 | 09:59 PM
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there are two solenoids on the firewall by the brake booster (in front of the driver). There is a vacuum hose running to the two solenoids. When you are in 2 x 4, one solenoid puts vacuum to the vacuum piston on the axle to move one direction. When you are in 4 x 4, the other solenoid puts vacuum to the vacuum piston on the axle to move the other direction. You can feel vaccuum on different hoses if you move the **** from 2 to 4 wheel drive and someone feel the hose vacuum. If you dont have vacuum on both, check the other end of hose at the solenoid to see if it is opening.
 
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Old Jan 18, 2012 | 11:40 PM
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thank you, first thing im goin to check tomorrow at the shop, hopefully its nothing too major
 
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