I have a 97 F150 that I just got a few weeks ago. I was driving home Wed. night when the 4x4 low range light would come on and off intermittently I had it in 2h the whole time. I went online and couldn't really find anything on it. So I get up to go to work on Thursday and the truck wouldn't even turn over. The battery was dead. I have put in a new one but now after turning the truck off I hear a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. Any ideas as to what this may be?

 

The 4x4 issue is the give-away.
Behind the dash fuse panel is a module called the GEM.
This module controls the 4x4 actions and it's relays.
In your truck, the windshield has a tendency to leak onto this module and cause corrosion shorts.
Good luck.

 

Is there an easy fix for this or do I have to just deal with it?

 

There are no easy fixes.
Find the root cause and effect a repair.
Is there evidence of water leakage?
If yes see if the modual can be cleaned up enough to clear the issue, or replace it.
Good luck.