Transfer shifter not staying engaged
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 149
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From: Metro Atlanta
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
I have a 1987 F150 302 automatic 4x4 w/ 160k miles & the transfer shifter will not stay engaged in hi or low 4x4 mode.
The truck is only driven occassionaly, but all fluids were flushed/filled about 1 1/2 yrs ago.
Also, what is the proper method for shifting from 2x to 4x? There is a sticker on back of sun visor that differs from owners manual on how to shift. Which one should I bekieve? Can't remember which is which, but one says to shift while in drive, the other says to shift while stopped in neutral.
The truck is only driven occassionaly, but all fluids were flushed/filled about 1 1/2 yrs ago.
Also, what is the proper method for shifting from 2x to 4x? There is a sticker on back of sun visor that differs from owners manual on how to shift. Which one should I bekieve? Can't remember which is which, but one says to shift while in drive, the other says to shift while stopped in neutral.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
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From: near harrisburg
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
I have a 92 4x4 f150 w/5.0... I have less trouble with engaging 4wd when I am in neutral.
I will set the parking brake then engage the hubs (mine are manual)
Then I'll push the clutch in and shift to 4w hi or low.
I spoke to my trany tech and he suggested the same. He drives an F250
I will set the parking brake then engage the hubs (mine are manual)
Then I'll push the clutch in and shift to 4w hi or low.
I spoke to my trany tech and he suggested the same. He drives an F250
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
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Transfer shifter not staying engaged
I have an '88 F-150 with auto trans and manual hubs. Mine recommends with hubs locked, you can shift from 2 to 4H in motion but to get to 4L you MUST be stopped and trans in nuetral.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Metro Atlanta
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
Mine is automatic trans & auto-locking hubs. Still unsure of how to shift since everyone else has a differrent combination than I do.
I'll try going to the FORD site to find out.
I'll try going to the FORD site to find out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
Once the hubs are locked (regardless of auto or manual locks), you can shift between 2H & 4H on the fly (up to 55mph). To go between H & L, you need to be ALMOST stopped. All the Ford docmentation should agree with that, if you read it carefully.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
Auto hub locks are operated by the difference in speeds of themselves (attached to the wheel hubs & tires), the spindles, and the stub shafts. It's complex and depends on what direction & which turned first, so I won't try to explain further, but that's the reason they're so unpredictable & unreliable.
Your t-case problem sounds internal.
Maybe a bent shift fork. 
Your t-case problem sounds internal.
Maybe a bent shift fork.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 282
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From: East Wenatchee, WA
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
The one thing I am curious of is does it actually pop out? Or is it not acting like it is 4 whee drive. I know these auto hubs are notorious for breaking so 4 wheel drive won't work even though the transfer case is actually turning the front driveline. Also check that you don't have something jammed in the linkage to the t-case or a possible loose bolt.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Dallas, Texas
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
Originally posted by rickthefix
Steve,
What causes the auto hubs to lock?
Also, any ideas of why it's popping out of H/L 4x?
Steve,
What causes the auto hubs to lock?
Also, any ideas of why it's popping out of H/L 4x?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Metro Atlanta
Transfer shifter not staying engaged
Mine is a 87 with auto hubs & manual shifter in the floor. It actually will pop out of 4X H or L & the shifter moves as well as the indicator lamp extinguishing! The truck has never really seen a lot of rough off roading as my dad drove it to work and an occassional trip to the beach for the first 140k miles. I've had it for about 3 years & put about 20k on it with being off-road ruff driving only a couple of times, but not lately. This problem came up just recently when driving around in the back yard hauling yard debris.
Last edited by rickthefix; Jun 16, 2003 at 04:55 PM.
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