Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

4x4 not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 10:13 AM
  #1  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
4x4 not working

I have checked the vacuum lines and they are fine. Its electronic and when I turn the switch, the light on the dash doesnt come on and the transfer case doesnt engage.
My mechanical ability with electronics is limited so I would like some help figuring this out. I checked all fuses and they are fine. What else could be afoot here?
Oh, this is on a 2003 f350 6.0.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 11:27 AM
  #2  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Have you checked it for codes Clay?
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 11:43 AM
  #3  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by npccpartsman
Have you checked it for codes Clay?
Yes sire, I have. Nothing related to the transfer case/transmission.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 12:01 PM
  #4  
daddykitty's Avatar
daddykitty
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: tonopah, az
Lift the front end of the ground. Disconnect your vacuum hose at the hub and attach a vacuum line and manually apply a vacuum and see if the hub engages to the axle. If it does the issue is upstream, if not, the issue is in the hub itself.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 12:42 PM
  #5  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by daddykitty
Lift the front end of the ground. Disconnect your vacuum hose at the hub and attach a vacuum line and manually apply a vacuum and see if the hub engages to the axle. If it does the issue is upstream, if not, the issue is in the hub itself.
I replaced the hubs with manual lockers last spring. If I lock them in, I still dont have 4x4. So I assume its the transfer case not engaging?
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 12:43 PM
  #6  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Is there a solenoid on the transfer case that could be not working?
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 12:57 PM
  #7  
daddykitty's Avatar
daddykitty
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: tonopah, az
When you lock your hubs with the front end off the ground and you turn the wheels, does the driveshaft turn from the front diff to the transfer case? Did they work after you installed them earlier?
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:07 PM
  #8  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by daddykitty
When you lock your hubs with the front end off the ground and you turn the wheels, does the driveshaft turn from the front diff to the transfer case? Did they work after you installed them earlier?
I'll have to try that and see.
I honestly dont know when it quit working. I changes the hubs last spring because they were making noise and the bearings were out on one side so I changed them both.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:14 PM
  #9  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Clay H
Is there a solenoid on the transfer case that could be not working?
I'm not 4x4 knowledgeable but IIRC there's a motor or solenoid on the xfer case, yes.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:29 PM
  #10  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by npccpartsman
I'm not 4x4 knowledgeable but IIRC there's a motor or solenoid on the xfer case, yes.
I think I'll find it and test it with a VOM If I can unplug it I can check for resistance and then check for 12v with the switch on.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:58 PM
  #11  
JBSIXGUNS's Avatar
JBSIXGUNS
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Duncan, OK
There are two harnesses on the transfer case, I have the same set up as you, switch on the dash, manual hubs. The first harness plugs into a solenoid on the bottom of the transfer case facing the passenger side, can't miss that one, and the other harness branches off of that one and plugs into the top drivers side of the transfer case. Both plug in horizontally.

I had a very similar problem with my 4 wheel drive not engaging and no dash light. My problem ended. up being a broken ear on the top driver's side harness plug. Which caused a loose connection. So I unplugged both harness connections sprayed with electronics cleaner, and let them dry. Started the truck, engaged the 4 wheel drive on the dash, ( still no light ) crawled back under the truck, plugged the bottom solenoid back in, ( still nothing ) then the top drivers side. The transfer case engaged, (kind of scared me) so I let go of the plug and the 4 wheel drive disengaged. I reinstalled the plug and added a few small zip-ties to hold the plug on tight. ( since one of the ears were broken off ) and viola, 4 wheel drive worked again, its been that way for 3 1/2 years, still works fine.

It could be this simple, hope it helps, let us know.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:02 PM
  #12  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by JBSIXGUNS
There are two harnesses on the transfer case, I have the same set up as you, switch on the dash, manual hubs. The first harness plugs into a solenoid on the bottom of the transfer case facing the passenger side, can't miss that one, and the other harness branches off of that one and plugs into the top drivers side of the transfer case. Both plug in horizontally.

I had a very similar problem with my 4 wheel drive not engaging and no dash light. My problem ended. up being a broken ear on the top driver's side harness plug. Which caused a loose connection. So I unplugged both harness connections sprayed with electronics cleaner, and let them dry. Started the truck, engaged the 4 wheel drive on the dash, ( still no light ) crawled back under the truck, plugged the bottom solenoid back in, ( still nothing ) then the top drivers side. The transfer case engaged, (kind of scared me) so I let go of the plug and the 4 wheel drive disengaged. I reinstalled the plug and added a few small zip-ties to hold the plug on tight. ( since one of the ears were broken off ) and viola, 4 wheel drive worked again, its been that way for 3 1/2 years, still works fine.

It could be this simple, hope it helps, let us know.
Thats exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks! I'll look at it this weekend when I have it on the lift to fix my air horns.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:06 PM
  #13  
Maxium4x4's Avatar
Maxium4x4
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Club FTE Gold Member
Gotta have air horns Clay...
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:10 PM
  #14  
Clay H's Avatar
Clay H
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, OK
Originally Posted by Maxium4x4
Gotta have air horns Clay...
I know, right!
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 02:25 PM
  #15  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Maxium4x4
Gotta have air horns Clay...
Gawd don't I wish. You don't even KNOW how many times my road rage self has wished I had some K5's
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:47 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE