IWE Solutions
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
Mine seem to have the most problems in cold weather so I just unplug the electrical connector in the fall and reconnect it in the spring. All the solenoids, check-valves and hoses have been replaced and the problem still persists so I've given up trying and just unplug.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Mine seem to have the most problems in cold weather so I just unplug the electrical connector in the fall and reconnect it in the spring. All the solenoids, check-valves and hoses have been replaced and the problem still persists so I've given up trying and just unplug.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 6
Mine seem to have the most problems in cold weather so I just unplug the electrical connector in the fall and reconnect it in the spring. All the solenoids, check-valves and hoses have been replaced and the problem still persists so I've given up trying and just unplug.
I remember that July/August, 5 weekends of fighting with vacuum lines and chasing down a leak, then changing out everything - twice. It was hot that year too. What a fun time. You learn a lot about the 4WD setup on these trucks when it becomes your life for 5 weeks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Since this a stickie, I'll add a bit off an update. Seems Ford has come out with a shadetree hack TSB regarding the 4A TC, I'm trying to be nice and stay PG rated. Instead of actually fixing the problem, that sometimes they find, they've gone to just pulling and plugging the vacuum lines, and locking the IWEs in the engaged position. Way to go Ford, cheat people out of what they've paid for. Doesn't appear to affect the regular TC without 4A yet, but same thing can/could be applied. Happy reading.
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/TSB/EU - MC-10181917-0001.pdf
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/TSB/EU - MC-10181917-0001.pdf
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 70
Likes: 14
From: NE Ohio Lake county
My wifes 2021 limited stealth expedition does not even have solenoid or checkvalves for hubs. Vacum lines just run up into engine bay and aren’t even plugged!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
ya, starting in 2021, the hubs aren't vacuum operated any longer. From the little bit of info I've gotten, there is now a small DC motor at each IWE that works them. That line you see going up into the engine bay is a vent. A bit more involved with monitoring as well, the "system" now sees if the IWE is engaged or not.
Wednesday I'm taking my 2020 in, I'll try to get more info while I'm there.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 1,225
From: San Antonio, TX
Interesting. Make a complicated system even more so. I will still replace my IWEs with RCV eliminators next time this happens. I will say that my TSB corrected 4x4 worked flawlessly for hundreds of miles of driving during our week long snow event.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
Why waste the money? Just unplug the electrical connector to the vacuum solenoid and the IWE's stay engaged all the time. I did that to my '17 years ago.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 1,225
From: San Antonio, TX
My reasoning is that if they begin to do it again, the surfaces where the gears meet will have been sufficiently damaged that I will want to get in there in replace them. I already wonder how much damage has been done already.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Chico, TX
Is this the same as my noise?
I searched and found a couple posts about a noise, usually when cold or after several days of sitting, comes from what seems like directly in front of the driver in the engine bay. The rattle sounds like a bicycle wheel turning with a card on it making it go "click, click, click. Stops after about 2-3 seconds. Never occurs when it's warm or as long as I start it every day or two.
My truck is a 2018 F-150, Ecoboost engine and 2WD. Much of what I read on this sticky post seems to be about 4WD. For the experienced mechanics and users, does my description of the noise match what the IWE issue is?
New user on this forum, spend all of my time on the Classic 61-66 forums.
My truck is a 2018 F-150, Ecoboost engine and 2WD. Much of what I read on this sticky post seems to be about 4WD. For the experienced mechanics and users, does my description of the noise match what the IWE issue is?
New user on this forum, spend all of my time on the Classic 61-66 forums.
Last edited by oldracerjones; Apr 29, 2021 at 06:32 PM. Reason: Add user activity note.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 6
I searched and found a couple posts about a noise, usually when cold or after several days of sitting, comes from what seems like directly in front of the driver in the engine bay. The rattle sounds like a bicycle wheel turning with a card on it making it go "click, click, click. Stops after about 2-3 seconds. Never occurs when it's warm or as long as I start it every day or two.
My truck is a 2018 F-150, Ecoboost engine and 2WD. Much of what I read on this sticky post seems to be about 4WD. For the experienced mechanics and users, does my description of the noise match what the IWE issue is?
New user on this forum, spend all of my time on the Classic 61-66 forums.
My truck is a 2018 F-150, Ecoboost engine and 2WD. Much of what I read on this sticky post seems to be about 4WD. For the experienced mechanics and users, does my description of the noise match what the IWE issue is?
New user on this forum, spend all of my time on the Classic 61-66 forums.