Cold Weather 4X4 Problem
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New User
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Cold Weather 4X4 Problem
Hey all!
Just recently bought a 2011 F350 SD Lariat.
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and we have had a recent "DEEP FREEZE" during this deep freeze I have tried to use my 4 wheel drive. When I use the "on the fly" wheel, I get the Wrench and the warning of "4X4 Trouble". As I drive the truck and it warms up say (about 30min) I try to use the 4x4 again and it engages but the warning is still there.
Today the temperatures were considerably warmer, and after immediately starting the truck I switched the truck into 4 Wheel drive; NO WARNING, NO WRENCH, NO NOTHING.
Does anyone have an idea as to what is going on? When is was super cold outside and I needed 4 wheel drive it wouldn't engage, traction control is useless!
Please Help!
Just recently bought a 2011 F350 SD Lariat.
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and we have had a recent "DEEP FREEZE" during this deep freeze I have tried to use my 4 wheel drive. When I use the "on the fly" wheel, I get the Wrench and the warning of "4X4 Trouble". As I drive the truck and it warms up say (about 30min) I try to use the 4x4 again and it engages but the warning is still there.
Today the temperatures were considerably warmer, and after immediately starting the truck I switched the truck into 4 Wheel drive; NO WARNING, NO WRENCH, NO NOTHING.
Does anyone have an idea as to what is going on? When is was super cold outside and I needed 4 wheel drive it wouldn't engage, traction control is useless!
Please Help!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 529
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Have you tried manually locking the hubs? I'm guessing but the front wheels and back wheels have to be moving at the same speed for the transfer case to lock in. Might be that you have water in the hubs that is freezing? I don't have my service manual with me to look up what would give the warning.
New User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Have you looked at TSB 12-2-5? Some 2011-2012 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with 4X4 and built on or before 2/6/2012 may exhibit a 4X4 not engaging, not staying engaged and/or unlocking in extreme cold temperatures below -18 degrees Celsius or 0 degrees Fahrenheit
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 842
Likes: 6
From: Manitoba
Last winter I was pulling a car out of the ditch when this happened to me. I was in 4hi, pulling from the front of my truck and gave the car a yank. The back of my truck slid sideways and one rear wheel hit the snow on the side of the road. All while that was happening I got the "4x4 Trouble" on my screen in the dash. Tried to move the truck and sure enough, only rear wheels spinning... Got out, locked my hubs, put the truck in 2wd and then back into 4hi and all was good. Got myself out and then pull the car out in about 20 minutes. Next time that happens, try manually locking your hubs. If that doesn't work then take it in to the dealership.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 484
Likes: 6
From: Alberta
Probably lubricants in the front hubs get stiff and don't allow a quick solid engage. When I worked in Norther BC near the Yukon I had to leave front hubs and transfer case engaged before trying to move on a -50 morning. If I didn't the front wheels didn't turn for a while.
I think I will take the advise of manually locking hubs in cold wx.
I think I will take the advise of manually locking hubs in cold wx.
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From: Lindsay "On"
Spoke with my buddy tonight who is a heavy duty truck and bus mechanic. He agrees that you should lock the hubs all winter. I just put new rims on mine and will have to take the centre caps off to do it.
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Jul 2013
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Hey all!
Just recently bought a 2011 F350 SD Lariat.
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and we have had a recent "DEEP FREEZE" during this deep freeze I have tried to use my 4 wheel drive. When I use the "on the fly" wheel, I get the Wrench and the warning of "4X4 Trouble". As I drive the truck and it warms up say (about 30min) I try to use the 4x4 again and it engages but the warning is still there. ..
Just recently bought a 2011 F350 SD Lariat.
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada and we have had a recent "DEEP FREEZE" during this deep freeze I have tried to use my 4 wheel drive. When I use the "on the fly" wheel, I get the Wrench and the warning of "4X4 Trouble". As I drive the truck and it warms up say (about 30min) I try to use the 4x4 again and it engages but the warning is still there. ..
Let’s see how we can get the warning sign to disappear, aillar. I highly recommend booking an appointment with your local dealer at your earliest convenience. Also, pass on the current odometer reading; I’ll look into some available options.
Kwasi
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1,153
From: Edmonton Alberta
As stated, just lock the hubs for the winter.
The vacuum locking system doesn't seem to work all that great when it is cold.
If the hubs don't lock and the truck is in 4x4 you get the wrench / 4x4 trouble message. (something to do with the front wheels not spinning when they should be).
I have not gotten the message since I started locking the hubs in the winter.
I just went to lock mine a couple of weeks ago and they were already locked so they have been locked for at least a year......
The vacuum locking system doesn't seem to work all that great when it is cold.
If the hubs don't lock and the truck is in 4x4 you get the wrench / 4x4 trouble message. (something to do with the front wheels not spinning when they should be).
I have not gotten the message since I started locking the hubs in the winter.
I just went to lock mine a couple of weeks ago and they were already locked so they have been locked for at least a year......
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
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From: Edmonton Alberta
It goes into 4x4 but the hubs don't lock, that is why you get the message.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 529
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I agree with darren32:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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The hubs don’t have sensors; I believe the message comes from sensors in the transfer case. This is usually because the transfer case input and output shaft are not at or close to the same RPM to sync (Lock in) in a certain amount of time, the trucks computer produces the message. Depending on how long it tries to sync, if long enough the message won’t reset (clear) till the truck is re-started.<o></o>
<o> </o>
The OP bought the truck used so we don’t know how the truck’s hubs were maintained?<o></o>
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I have seen this message a few times on fords and usually it is caused by two things. <o></o>
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JMHO:<o></o>
I have had a Ford 4x4 for over 30 years and it is my opinion that the best thing about the locking hubs are that it saves wear on front drive train and transfer case. Every time I have to replace the $1200 front CV joints on a GM, I don’t think about manually locking my hubs in for the winter.<o></o>
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> </o>The hubs don’t have sensors; I believe the message comes from sensors in the transfer case. This is usually because the transfer case input and output shaft are not at or close to the same RPM to sync (Lock in) in a certain amount of time, the trucks computer produces the message. Depending on how long it tries to sync, if long enough the message won’t reset (clear) till the truck is re-started.<o
></o><o
> </o>The OP bought the truck used so we don’t know how the truck’s hubs were maintained?<o
></o><o
> </o>I have seen this message a few times on fords and usually it is caused by two things. <o
></o><o
> </o>- The hubs won’t lock because they were driven though water and in cold temperature the hubs gears are frozen and won’t move. It seems that this might be the OP’s problem because it is temperature related?<o></o>
- The truck is stationary and with torque on the front drive train but not moving and the back wheels are spinning. The front wheel can’t move a little bit to align the hub gears to mesh. This usually happens when you’re stuck and then you try to engage 4x4. In the winter if I get in my truck and it has snowed and I put it in 4x4 and only the rear wheels spin, I will get the message if I don’t move fast enough, but will stop flashing by the end of my driveway. <o></o>
> </o>JMHO:<o
></o>I have had a Ford 4x4 for over 30 years and it is my opinion that the best thing about the locking hubs are that it saves wear on front drive train and transfer case. Every time I have to replace the $1200 front CV joints on a GM, I don’t think about manually locking my hubs in for the winter.<o
></o><o
> </o><o
> </o><o
> </o><o
> </o><o
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