front 4wd selector issue
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 470
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From: Havillah, WA
front 4wd selector issue
So this winter I had some issues with the 4wd on the X. The 2WD/4WD selector in the cab works fine. BUT if i leave the outside hubs in the AUTO position it doesn't seem to work in 4WD. If i put it into Manual mode on the hubs then the 4WD system works fine. So seems to me there's an issue with the plastic selection piece. I don't even know what it's called. In my old toyota the selector is the hub but i know in the X the hub is the automatic portion that includes the spindle.
Anyone know if they sell an aftermarket auto/manual selector piece or what the PN is for the ford version?
Any chance there's something else wrong with it?
Anyone know if they sell an aftermarket auto/manual selector piece or what the PN is for the ford version?
Any chance there's something else wrong with it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Rothesay, New Brunswick
You probably have a vacuum leak... Does your heater default to defrost and will only come out via the defrost?
There are aftermarket hubs offered, none of which work with the shift in the fly system. They too, like your current hubs, have to be locked to function.
I would be looking for a vacuum leak if I were you.
There are aftermarket hubs offered, none of which work with the shift in the fly system. They too, like your current hubs, have to be locked to function.
I would be looking for a vacuum leak if I were you.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 470
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From: Havillah, WA
You probably have a vacuum leak... Does your heater default to defrost and will only come out via the defrost?
There are aftermarket hubs offered, none of which work with the shift in the fly system. They too, like your current hubs, have to be locked to function.
I would be looking for a vacuum leak if I were you.
There are aftermarket hubs offered, none of which work with the shift in the fly system. They too, like your current hubs, have to be locked to function.
I would be looking for a vacuum leak if I were you.
Maybe I don't understand how the system works. I replaced the hubs already and it seemed like it was an electronic system but it's been a while so maybe it was pnumatic. Still over the last few years I've replaced both front hubs but i haven't replaced the selector part and in at least one hub i know it's cracked. I might have to try a few other things tomorrow. if i turn one to auto and one to manual and the 4wd works then reverse then and it doesn't that would mean one of them isn't functioning correctly right?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 560
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
Your hubs work based off vacuum pressure. They push and pull the little piece inside your hubs to "lock" or "unlock" them.
Turn your heat to "vents" and then turn your switch on your transfer case (inside truck) from 2wd to 4wd. Give it about 5 seconds... If you start losing pressure out of your vents and it redirects to your defroster while in the 4wd selector then you have a vacuum leak.
This would be your first step.
Turn your heat to "vents" and then turn your switch on your transfer case (inside truck) from 2wd to 4wd. Give it about 5 seconds... If you start losing pressure out of your vents and it redirects to your defroster while in the 4wd selector then you have a vacuum leak.
This would be your first step.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 470
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From: Havillah, WA
Your hubs work based off vacuum pressure. They push and pull the little piece inside your hubs to "lock" or "unlock" them.
Turn your heat to "vents" and then turn your switch on your transfer case (inside truck) from 2wd to 4wd. Give it about 5 seconds... If you start losing pressure out of your vents and it redirects to your defroster while in the 4wd selector then you have a vacuum leak.
This would be your first step.
How to fix the ESOF(Electric Shift On the Fly) 4x4 on a Ford - YouTube
Turn your heat to "vents" and then turn your switch on your transfer case (inside truck) from 2wd to 4wd. Give it about 5 seconds... If you start losing pressure out of your vents and it redirects to your defroster while in the 4wd selector then you have a vacuum leak.
This would be your first step.
How to fix the ESOF(Electric Shift On the Fly) 4x4 on a Ford - YouTube
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,072
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From: Dustbowl, NV
Since you're keeping the beast, here's a long term solution.
http://www.dieselsite.com/1999-2004f...ofhosekit.aspx
http://www.dieselsite.com/1999-2004f...ofhosekit.aspx
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Havillah, WA
got in it this morning and tested the heater vents. They all work as they should and switching between 2WD and 4WD does nothing to them. I moved the front hubs into Auto (instead of the LOCK they've been in all winter) and now it's functioning but it did take a wrench to get those things to move they're very hard to turn and I couldn't do it with my hands (and I don't have weak hands). I also noticed one's got a small crack and wiggles enough that I think I could probably pull the actual piece that turns off. I do know that it wasn't working at the start of winter as I got stuck in the snow and needed to move over to LOCK to ingage the fronts and drive off. So something is intermittently going on. Thanks for the help guys I may end up buying a new set of front hub selectors before next winter just to make sure my wife doesn't have that problem when I'm not around. without an adjustable wrench there's no way we could move those things from AUTO to LOCK.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
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The other common issue is a vacuum solenoid located on the passenger side fender well. It is an extremely common issue. It's about $60 to 80 bucks
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Rothesay, New Brunswick
There is a hub disassembly and lube procedure in the tech folder that would work wonders for you. Mine were the same - I couldn't even turn them with a set of pliers and they were not working - I lubed and reinstalled and they work like a dream now.
Hope you get it figured out.
Nate
Hope you get it figured out.
Nate
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
You should really go to the tech folder and check out the information there. The tech folder extensively covers the ESOF system and how it works.
Stewart
Stewart
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Havillah, WA
There is a hub disassembly and lube procedure in the tech folder that would work wonders for you. Mine were the same - I couldn't even turn them with a set of pliers and they were not working - I lubed and reinstalled and they work like a dream now.
Hope you get it figured out.
Nate
Hope you get it figured out.
Nate
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
...but it did take a wrench to get those things to move they're very hard to turn and I couldn't do it with my hands...
I also noticed one's got a small crack and wiggles enough that I think I could probably pull the actual piece that turns off.
I may end up buying a new set of front hub selectors
...without an adjustable wrench there's no way we could move those things from AUTO to LOCK.
I also noticed one's got a small crack and wiggles enough that I think I could probably pull the actual piece that turns off.
I may end up buying a new set of front hub selectors
...without an adjustable wrench there's no way we could move those things from AUTO to LOCK.
The switch itself can't be taken apart, but you can try one trick with the ATF fluid to see if you can get them to work again.
Stewart
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 23
got in it this morning and tested the heater vents. They all work as they should and switching between 2WD and 4WD does nothing to them. I moved the front hubs into Auto (instead of the LOCK they've been in all winter) and now it's functioning but it did take a wrench to get those things to move they're very hard to turn and I couldn't do it with my hands (and I don't have weak hands). I also noticed one's got a small crack and wiggles enough that I think I could probably pull the actual piece that turns off. I do know that it wasn't working at the start of winter as I got stuck in the snow and needed to move over to LOCK to ingage the fronts and drive off. So something is intermittently going on. Thanks for the help guys I may end up buying a new set of front hub selectors before next winter just to make sure my wife doesn't have that problem when I'm not around. without an adjustable wrench there's no way we could move those things from AUTO to LOCK.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Central Tx.
From looking at your other post You have a FREE & EASY FIX ( RIP BRENT 
) Just keep them in the locked position & be done with it. No Harm No Fowl . With your limited use of the truck it will most likely be better for it as well. It will keep your front end parts lubed up & might cost you a 1/2 MPG..
) Just keep them in the locked position & be done with it. No Harm No Fowl . With your limited use of the truck it will most likely be better for it as well. It will keep your front end parts lubed up & might cost you a 1/2 MPG..
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Havillah, WA
From looking at your other post You have a FREE & EASY FIX ( RIP BRENT ) Just keep them in the locked position & be done with it. No Harm No Fowl . With your limited use of the truck it will most likely be better for it as well. It will keep your front end parts lubed up & might cost you a 1/2 MPG..
) Just keep them in the locked position & be done with it. No Harm No Fowl . With your limited use of the truck it will most likely be better for it as well. It will keep your front end parts lubed up & might cost you a 1/2 MPG..