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02 f150 4x4 problem

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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 08:11 AM
  #1  
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02 f150 4x4 problem

I have a 02 f150 4x4 with shift on the fly. It will go in 4x4 sometimes after I hear it clicking a few times in the dash but sometimes I have to keep turning the switch from 2 to 4 a few times. but it want go in 4x4 low at all. and it want go back in 4x2 unless I turn truck off and turn the switch. then it will go in 4x2 when I restart it.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 09:34 AM
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Sounds like the 4WD module is starting to go bad.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 11:40 AM
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If you see it attempts to engage the transfer case, my vote is the case motor is not working reliably.
The clicking you hear is the GEM module operating the relay trying to get the case motor to it's fist position.
It has to get there in order to operate the firewall solenoid to transfer engine vacuum to the front actuator so front axle locks together. At this point the dash light come on. If it does not, the case motor did not operate.
Only difference in 4L is the case motor runs one more position, engages the gear reduction in the transfer case, and changes the engine shift skeduial plus 4L light comes on.
Carefully see what it does and decide what is happening or not happening before changing any parts.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 04:23 PM
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Stop trying to shift on the fly. Stop the truck and shift between 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 HI.... If you want to go into 4 x 4 LO you need to be in neutral and possibly let the truck roll a foot while it engages.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 07:13 PM
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Stop trying to shift on the fly. Stop the truck and shift between 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 HI.
The ESOF system was made specifically to do exactly that. That's the reason it's called "shift on the fly" for switching between 2WD and 4WD HI.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 07:44 PM
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ESOF is accomplished with a feature incorporated into the transfer case.
It is an electric operated gear sync function that allows the gear train to engage without grinding.
.
Shifting to 4L does require the truck to be at rest, in neutral and foot on brake. The GEM is in control of this requirement, by movement detection, operated brake pedal and neutral selection all have to be present at the same time to access 4L..
Obvious why; you do not want to engage such a low gear ratio at speed.
It bangs heads, breaks windshields, hard on drive train etc., besides changing the engine shifting rpm.
You do not want these things going on at highway speeds.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2018 | 09:27 PM
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I'm not trying it while moving, I'm sitting in my driveway. dont care if the 4x4low work just trying to get it in an out of 4x4 hi. I can get it to go in 4x4 hi sometimes but sometimes I have to turn the switch a few times. but only way to get it back in 4x2 is to turn ignition off and restart it and it resets itself to 4x2.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by liv2roc
I'm not trying it while moving, I'm sitting in my driveway. dont care if the 4x4low work just trying to get it in an out of 4x4 hi. I can get it to go in 4x4 hi sometimes but sometimes I have to turn the switch a few times. but only way to get it back in 4x2 is to turn ignition off and restart it and it resets itself to 4x2.
The shift motor does nothing when moving from 2H to 4H or back, the shift motor only moves when shifting between high and low. However, the 4WD module electrically controls the front clutch on the transfer case between 2H and 4H which is why I suggested it as the problem. For models with vacuum controlled front hubs or differentials, the 4WD module also operates the vacuum solenoids controlling those items. Powering down and back also indicates an electronics issue, not a mechanical one.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 11:13 AM
  #9  
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I just drove it again and if I switch to 4x4 hi while moving it starts squealing underneath and when I almost stop it pops like it engaged to 4x4. if I check the the voltage on the 2 relays next to the battery after I switch the switch to 4x2 both have power, even after I turn it back to 4x4. but if I turn truck off put in 4x2 restart it only the 4x2 has power .if I then switch to 4x4 only 4x4 has power. but if I try to go back to 4x2 both has power.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 07:03 PM
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Anytime I had-have an engagement issue with like "grinding" it's been one of those solenoids behind the battery. The fork moved easily, but not enough vacuum I guess to yank her in tight????? As far as 4x4 low......If I am not dead stopped, foot on the brake, in neutral, she will grind and not go. No slow roll in for my girl....LOL.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 02:04 PM
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I got a uses dash switch off ebay and put it in and now it works fine.reinstalled old switch and it still work fine so I dont know whats going on with it.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 04:07 PM
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Review this 4wd operation.
The case motor rotates one position going to 4H to engage the case and do electric syncing.
It moves to a second position to engage the gear reduction for 4L.
At this position a dedicated lead to the PCM is the signal to change the RPM shift points in the program for the low gearing.
This is accomplished from a circuit board with rotary wiper contacts mounted with. the case motor.
.
My feeling is you may still have the original problem.
It was not solved by just working on the dash switch unless it was just a wire/plugup issue.
.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2018 | 04:50 PM
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I have the transfer case motor ordered I may still change it.
 
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