Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

4x4 failed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 9, 2003 | 12:13 PM
  #1  
grass_cat_800's Avatar
grass_cat_800
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth, Michigan
4x4 failed

What would cause my 4wd not to work? I switched the selector switch to 4 high and the truck would not shift into 4x4. I waited several minutes, forward-reverse-neutral, etc. I also tried 4 low. Finally I had to get out and manually lock the hubs. Then the 4wd worked fine.
I use 4wd quit a bit. And this has never happened before.
Any ideas? This is on a 01 F-250.

Thanks,
grass_cat_800
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2003 | 12:20 PM
  #2  
TI 3VOM's Avatar
TI 3VOM
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Cameron MO
4x4 failed

Sounds like a problem with the vacuum lines that run the automatic hubs, since it works when you go to manual. First thing I'd do is make sure you didn't just knock them loose while you were out wheelin.

Someone will be along shortly with more specifics on what and where to check.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2003 | 01:23 PM
  #3  
jetjock16's Avatar
jetjock16
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
From: Del Rio, Texas USA
4x4 failed

if your have ESOF which it sounds like you do, i could be one of many problems... check vacume lines, fuses, first... When i test drove new trucks 2 of 6 i test drove the 4x4 didnt engauge.. needless to say i then spent the next 3 months looking for the options i wanted in a truck with the manual 4x4 engaugement!
Jetjock16
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2003 | 01:29 PM
  #4  
chspyder's Avatar
chspyder
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Louisville USA
4x4 failed

I have found on a friends truck that the passenger side fitting comes off at the vacume link he used a small tie wrap pulled tight to keep it on, check that and look for cracks in the boot or hose, if you have a v-10 you can hear the hiss, and on some diesels, if you listen hard you might hear the hiss of a broken line.



Jt
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2003 | 08:18 PM
  #5  
pancartom's Avatar
pancartom
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
4x4 failed

i had the same problem... turned out that the seals had to be replaced. while not a cheap job, the weather up here in the winter made the repair a must.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2003 | 09:22 PM
  #6  
FortyFords's Avatar
FortyFords
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
4x4 failed

Grass-cat800 ,
as stated before many components can cause your problem .
yours sounds like its vacum or hub seal related.
or even dirty hubs .
were the manual overides hard to turn ? and now
when you try 4w hl with your esof in the normal way do the hubs engage?

There is also a pvh solenoid that controls the vacum ,its protected by fuse 27 ,a 15 amp .
You should here the solenoid click under the hood
if its getting power.

here are the components that can fail

hubs seals leaking or dirty
vacum lines including the vacum resovoir (chk valve inside)
switch 4whl
fuses
relays

Hope this helps!

Jetjock ,didn't know your a manual 4x guy!
Thats cool !

Rich
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2003 | 10:37 AM
  #7  
fsnco1's Avatar
fsnco1
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: SLC
4x4 failed

Mine did the same thing once, turned out to be dirty hubs, try pulling them apart and cleaning out the dirt and grime, these things can get pretty dirty if you use them!
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 08:00 AM
  #8  
SMB's Avatar
SMB
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: East Hampton, NY
4x4 failed

My 01 F-250 was doing the same thing for awhile. Had to manually lock the hubs to ensure 4wd. Then I noticed that one of the hubs was staying locked, even when I switched it back to the auto position. Then I noticed that the front axle seals on both front axle's were shot. Now I am trying to get ford to pay for it as I am 4k out of warranty.

Maybe get your head in there behind the wheels and check out those front seals. Not sure if its related to the hubs not working. Mechanic at my dealer seemed to think it was.

My 2-bits.

-Shawn
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:30 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE