4wd not working
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2020
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4wd not working
2012 f250 lariat, 6.2 gas, auto. haven't had this truck long and just now needed to use the 4wd. it does not work. hope i can say i'm stupid for not finding the issue after someone here tells me what it is.
has manual hubs and they are locked in. turn the **** on the dash to 4whigh. dash, very shortly, says "4x4 processing" then gone. says same thing when i switch back to 2wd. no other light in the dash. the front drive shaft turns but, it turns all the time, even in 2wd. found the truck apps on the dash and it shows that only the rear is engaged. owners manual is worthless for this. it has the feature where you can pull the 2wd/4wd **** out. makes no difference. don't wish to take it to a shop and look more foolish than now if it's simple.
anyone want to give me a place to start? thanks in advance.
has manual hubs and they are locked in. turn the **** on the dash to 4whigh. dash, very shortly, says "4x4 processing" then gone. says same thing when i switch back to 2wd. no other light in the dash. the front drive shaft turns but, it turns all the time, even in 2wd. found the truck apps on the dash and it shows that only the rear is engaged. owners manual is worthless for this. it has the feature where you can pull the 2wd/4wd **** out. makes no difference. don't wish to take it to a shop and look more foolish than now if it's simple.
anyone want to give me a place to start? thanks in advance.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
sounds like you’re doing everything correctly.
i assume you tried it while moving?
for the heck of it, try 4lo. To engage 4lo, need to be stopped, in neutral, and foot on the brake. If it goes into 4lo, go from 4lo to 4hi (have to be in neutral, foot on the brake again) and see if it stays.
Has the 4wd ever worked for you? Maybe it was bad when you bought it.
note - pulling the 4wd **** out engages the rear axle locker (which is useless in snow)
i assume you tried it while moving?
for the heck of it, try 4lo. To engage 4lo, need to be stopped, in neutral, and foot on the brake. If it goes into 4lo, go from 4lo to 4hi (have to be in neutral, foot on the brake again) and see if it stays.
Has the 4wd ever worked for you? Maybe it was bad when you bought it.
note - pulling the 4wd **** out engages the rear axle locker (which is useless in snow)
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Central Delaware
Welcome to FTE. In the upper left of your screen, you'll see a box marked, "Forums". Click on it. You'll see a list of topics. for you, the ones marked "Super Duty/Heavy Duty" and "General", will be your best sources of help and information.
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Don't forget to check out your state chapter too.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
Does anything work differently if you put the hubs in auto?
Hubs should have two positions, auto and lock.
Front driveshaft turning all the time, regardlss of the **** indicates they are locked. Turn turning to auto and see.
Might also help if you are stopped no radio on drivers door open and then switch the **** to 4hi. Listen to see if you can hear the motor that is on the back of the transfer case.
This motor does the shifting of the transfer case. If you don't hear anything then I suspect the motor is bad. You will have to get under the truck and have a look.
Hubs should have two positions, auto and lock.
Front driveshaft turning all the time, regardlss of the **** indicates they are locked. Turn turning to auto and see.
Might also help if you are stopped no radio on drivers door open and then switch the **** to 4hi. Listen to see if you can hear the motor that is on the back of the transfer case.
This motor does the shifting of the transfer case. If you don't hear anything then I suspect the motor is bad. You will have to get under the truck and have a look.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
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he says he has manual hubs; i figured the prior owner may have switched them out.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,175
Likes: 8,046
From: Texas
2012 f250 lariat, 6.2 gas, auto. haven't had this truck long and just now needed to use the 4wd. it does not work. hope i can say i'm stupid for not finding the issue after someone here tells me what it is.
has manual hubs and they are locked in. turn the **** on the dash to 4whigh. dash, very shortly, says "4x4 processing" then gone. says same thing when i switch back to 2wd. no other light in the dash. the front drive shaft turns but, it turns all the time, even in 2wd. found the truck apps on the dash and it shows that only the rear is engaged. owners manual is worthless for this. it has the feature where you can pull the 2wd/4wd **** out. makes no difference. don't wish to take it to a shop and look more foolish than now if it's simple.
anyone want to give me a place to start? thanks in advance.
has manual hubs and they are locked in. turn the **** on the dash to 4whigh. dash, very shortly, says "4x4 processing" then gone. says same thing when i switch back to 2wd. no other light in the dash. the front drive shaft turns but, it turns all the time, even in 2wd. found the truck apps on the dash and it shows that only the rear is engaged. owners manual is worthless for this. it has the feature where you can pull the 2wd/4wd **** out. makes no difference. don't wish to take it to a shop and look more foolish than now if it's simple.
anyone want to give me a place to start? thanks in advance.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2020
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was moving. had someone watch that the front shaft was turning. also tried the 4low, no results. just bought in august. just now tried it. i've had several f250s, still have a 2001, and didn't think this one would not work.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
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hubs say lock and free. shaft turns all the time. i haven't tried listening for a motor sound but now i will.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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did you buy it from an individual or a used car dealer? in either case, can’t hurt to call them and ask about it; they might give you better direction as to what is wrong (maybe they already tried certain fixes).
Also.....check for codes. The 4wd probably won’t throw any, but you never know......
Also.....check for codes. The 4wd probably won’t throw any, but you never know......
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2020
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did the listen for a motor sound test. with the help of my son, all noise off, ign switch to on, went from 2h to 4h. no sound. same conditions, put it in neutral, went to 4L, no noticeable sound. now, the only sound the comes from that area is as soon as you turn the switch on there is a bit of a whine. it's all the time the switch is on regardless of the dash switch position. normal?