Can't select 4x4 low with engine running....
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
Hi,
It has been a while but I was wondering if there are any further thoughts on this. Tried using 4 low curing this northern California storm right now and it was the same old thing: slipping in 2WD, need to shift, can't shift, turn off engine, shift..... and so on...
Thanks again.
It has been a while but I was wondering if there are any further thoughts on this. Tried using 4 low curing this northern California storm right now and it was the same old thing: slipping in 2WD, need to shift, can't shift, turn off engine, shift..... and so on...
Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
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I think Ive used 4low in my truck(1980 ranger 150) 3 times in the 10 years I've owned her. What conditions are you seeing that you need Low?
I would check all linkage,make sure it's all lubed and adjusted right and make sure the vehicle is stopped, in neutral, before hitting low. If the input shaft is not turning, it should drop right in. If it is not, then linkage is not right or something is really fubar in your driveline.
I would check all linkage,make sure it's all lubed and adjusted right and make sure the vehicle is stopped, in neutral, before hitting low. If the input shaft is not turning, it should drop right in. If it is not, then linkage is not right or something is really fubar in your driveline.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
I use the four low a number of times a year on the property I live on. Believe me, it is indispensable... I know little on this topic: where do I look to check the linkage and input shaft? What am I looking for, unless it is blindingly obvious? Thanks once more.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Over There
Mine get's rather similarly stiff, I find that putting it in reverse to put a little pressure on the drivetrain then putting it in park tends to I guess line things up and it'll slide right in.
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From: Virginia
Leave the engine running, put the tranny in neutral, and let the truck roll ever so gently while you put pressure on the lever to go into 4 low. It's got to go like that. If you are on a slight hill, just let off the brake a little bit while you try to get it in.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Lajord, Sk,Can.
Exactly what Franklin2 describes, you know how with a manual transmission you push the clutch in and it won't go into gear, but if you release the clutch a bit it will go into gear. With my 1981 F 250 (1345 transfer case.) I will have it in neutral bump it to drive, then back to neutral while putting pressure on transfer case shifter. If it's in neutral for to long when I go to shift it will grind, then I have to shut the motor off to shift.
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From: Virginia
That can be a problem. The guts of the tranny will turn even though it's not in gear.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Lajord, Sk,Can.
Hi,
It has been a while but I was wondering if there are any further thoughts on this. Tried using 4 low curing this northern California storm right now and it was the same old thing: slipping in 2WD, need to shift, can't shift, turn off engine, shift..... and so on...
Thanks again.
It has been a while but I was wondering if there are any further thoughts on this. Tried using 4 low curing this northern California storm right now and it was the same old thing: slipping in 2WD, need to shift, can't shift, turn off engine, shift..... and so on...
Thanks again.
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My 85 is gas engine but has the C6, the instructions with mine say the transmision must be in neutral and it will not shift in to 4Lo in park. With engine running, Trany in neutral, vehicle stopped it does shift. Don't know why it won't in Park, but the instructions say it won't and it won't.
May or may not apply to your truck.
May or may not apply to your truck.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
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From: Virginia
My 85 is gas engine but has the C6, the instructions with mine say the transmision must be in neutral and it will not shift in to 4Lo in park. With engine running, Trany in neutral, vehicle stopped it does shift. Don't know why it won't in Park, but the instructions say it won't and it won't.
May or may not apply to your truck.
May or may not apply to your truck.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
Hello all,
Thanks for the replies.
The transfer case fluid level is fine.
I will give these methods a go - they sure beat having to turn the engine off on a steep hill...
However, if anyone has any ideas of where to look for a fix, I am interested to hear them.
I'll get out this weekend and see what works and what doesn't...
Thanks for the replies.
The transfer case fluid level is fine.
I will give these methods a go - they sure beat having to turn the engine off on a steep hill...
However, if anyone has any ideas of where to look for a fix, I am interested to hear them.
I'll get out this weekend and see what works and what doesn't...
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You have to relieve the pressure on the driveline to get the transfer case in gear. If you are on prefectly level ground where you can put the truck in neutral and it will not roll, you can put it in park and it will probably go in 4 lo. If you are on a slight hill, and the tranny is holding the truck in position in park, then there is pressure on the driveline and it will balk and not want to go. If you got someone out and started rocking the truck back and forth while you are putting pressure on the lever, it will probably go.
I don't always read instructions right off, and after all i had driven 4x4s before.
I also notice that if the idle is just a bit high it will still grind just a bit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Roseville, MN
My '95 F-150 with electronic shift t.case (I know, apples and oranges) wouldn't shift into low range when the trans was in park (only in neutral), but with the electronic controls that was easy for Ford to enforce. I don't think my manual shift t.cases have ever had any interlock that prevented them from being shifted, but I can still easily see Ford telling you it needs to be in neutral, even if there's no physical thing preventing you from shifting it in any other gear.
And (as has been said here before), the important things are that the driveline not be loaded up, and that it not be moving when you shift to low range. It can be loaded when in park. And can you imagine the liability nightmare for Ford if someone was sitting on a hill in park and the truck rolled into a pedestrian and killed them when they pulled the t.case into neutral (which is between 4hi and 4low)
And (as has been said here before), the important things are that the driveline not be loaded up, and that it not be moving when you shift to low range. It can be loaded when in park. And can you imagine the liability nightmare for Ford if someone was sitting on a hill in park and the truck rolled into a pedestrian and killed them when they pulled the t.case into neutral (which is between 4hi and 4low)
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