Well, I thought the auto hubs were finally working much better on my F-250 diesel.

The last winter I had issues with the auto hubs not engaging 4x4 when the temps dropped outside. Got stuck in my driveway a few times (Back tires turned only) but when I got out and turned the hubs to lock, by-passing the auto hubs, I had 4x4 and climbed out of my driveway.

On Friday though I drove into the driveway in auto 4x4 but when I got up Sat morning I figured I was in 4x4. The display showed 4x4. I was mistaken.

Part way up the driveway, I spun the back end, had the e-locker on and just sat there. I was surprised a He%% and said "not again." Got out turned the hubs...

Luckily I recently had the hubs lubed as they were stiff as a rock a couple of weeks ago and couldn't even turn them. Well, once in lock position I had 4x4 and got out of my driveway.

Still, got me to thinking about this Ford and what I would like to see is if the 4x4 isn't really engaged to show on the display for crying out loud. I do not want to be driving down the highway in snow and think I have 4x4 only to find out (hopefully not by having an accident) that I am really in 2 wheel drive and not 4x4.

I am just going to lock the hubs when I need 4x4 from now on. The auto hubs work fine in milder temps but up north here in Canada, I would trash them because they are undependable in my opinion. And my 4x4 system has been checked out and Ford says there isn't a problem with it. Of course they can't understand why I have 2x4 when the display says 4x4.

Great mileage for a big truck and lots of pluses, but I expect for a 76 thousand dollar vehicle that the equipment would generally work as advertised.

 

Sorry to hear your having problem with your auto hubs again. I'm guessing the display is picking up that you are in 4x4 in a different location then your hubs. I had that problem on a Dodge truck I drove at work a few years ago, but it was even worse because it did not have the manual option.

Where I live the temps never even dropped to the single digits so no sign of problems here. But your problem does bring up a good point that one should exercise the manual hubs from time to time just in case.

 

were you getting the "Check 4x4" light when you would shift from 2 to 4hi with the hubs in AUTO position? thats what i was getting, i had my truck in the shop about 6 times for that same issue. the truck almost left myself, wife and toddler stranded on xmas eve cuz i could not get the 4x4 to engage. i dont know about you but for me it wasnt just cold temps, it did the same thing to me in the middle of summer and i had a large trailer hooked up. my dealer ended up having to get with ford to figure out what was going on.

 

I had the same problem on my 2012 F350 two months ago. Couldn't get into 4x4 any way. I was in South Dakota for Xmas, couldn't get around at all. Stuck in driveway (dually). Called every Ford dealer around and best chance of a fix was two weeks! Had to drive back to New Mexico with no 4x4 and pulling a cargo trailer! Luckily I didn't encounter any bad roads. Dealer here fixed.

 

The auto hubs are vacuum actuated. If one of the lines has even a little pin hole or crack you won't have enough pressure for the hubs to engage. The 4x4 light will still come because the transfer case is still shifting properly. Hope this helps , Happened to my 06 and just recently on my 11 when i was plowing , a chunk of ice kicked up and slit one of the vacuum lines.

 

That seems not to be my problem. My auto hubs work fine when warmer. I can tell because turning the front wheels I can feel them "hunt" on drier roads. Feel it thru the steering wheel. I realize about leaks to the vacuum system but it seems more of a cold temp issue.

Luckily, when I turn the hubs to the lock position then I have 4x4.

And no, don't get the display "Check 4x4 system" ever. Just shows 4x4 is engaged.

Pain in the butt. Especially now I can be thinking if driving on a snow highway where some 4x4 is needed for control and thinking i have 4x4 only to discover by slippage that I only have 2 wheels driving.