Electronic 4x4 issue
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
Electronic 4x4 issue
So I shifted the **** to 4hi and entered a slimy field only to immediately get stuck- the dash said it cycled into 4x but it didn’t.
I switched back to. 2x and got out and moved the hubs to lock and moved the dial again. 4x engaged and I got thru and out.
sodo I assume to have a vacume leak? I tried more times and same results
I switched back to. 2x and got out and moved the hubs to lock and moved the dial again. 4x engaged and I got thru and out.
sodo I assume to have a vacume leak? I tried more times and same results
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
Thanks- will research that for testing
raining so it will have to wait……
to-be clear-
hubs in auto, switch to 4x and doesn’t engage no 4x
hubs in manual(locked) switch to 4x and engages 4x works
raining so it will have to wait……
to-be clear-
hubs in auto, switch to 4x and doesn’t engage no 4x
hubs in manual(locked) switch to 4x and engages 4x works
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
The hub engagement is not as quick as the transfer case engagement most of the time. It will tell you the 4x4 shift is complete before the hubs have locked in. They need a little speed differential to engage and disengage. How much did you drive around before deciding something was wrong?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
so i tried 5 times to shift to 4 hi and 2 to 4 low.
when trying 4 hi i was still moving and went about 5 feet each way and nothing- 4 low was stationary then roll forward and back following the procedure for low
this morning there was snow and i shifted into 4 hi and nothing (hubs in auto) and the defrost didn't switch on as suggested for vacuum leak- great hint/advise there (thanks) -
truck was slipping around a bit and i left it like that and maybe 100 yards out it clunked into 4 hi. could the hubs just have been stuck or frozen from lack of use? i ran it locked in for awhile- and havent tried to cycle it in again?
when trying 4 hi i was still moving and went about 5 feet each way and nothing- 4 low was stationary then roll forward and back following the procedure for low
this morning there was snow and i shifted into 4 hi and nothing (hubs in auto) and the defrost didn't switch on as suggested for vacuum leak- great hint/advise there (thanks) -
truck was slipping around a bit and i left it like that and maybe 100 yards out it clunked into 4 hi. could the hubs just have been stuck or frozen from lack of use? i ran it locked in for awhile- and havent tried to cycle it in again?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
so i tried 5 times to shift to 4 hi and 2 to 4 low.
when trying 4 hi i was still moving and went about 5 feet each way and nothing- 4 low was stationary then roll forward and back following the procedure for low
this morning there was snow and i shifted into 4 hi and nothing (hubs in auto) and the defrost didn't switch on as suggested for vacuum leak- great hint/advise there (thanks) -
truck was slipping around a bit and i left it like that and maybe 100 yards out it clunked into 4 hi. could the hubs just have been stuck or frozen from lack of use? i ran it locked in for awhile- and havent tried to cycle it in again?
when trying 4 hi i was still moving and went about 5 feet each way and nothing- 4 low was stationary then roll forward and back following the procedure for low
this morning there was snow and i shifted into 4 hi and nothing (hubs in auto) and the defrost didn't switch on as suggested for vacuum leak- great hint/advise there (thanks) -
truck was slipping around a bit and i left it like that and maybe 100 yards out it clunked into 4 hi. could the hubs just have been stuck or frozen from lack of use? i ran it locked in for awhile- and havent tried to cycle it in again?
Now if you do not mind hearing the front end parts turning you can run the hubs in lock and just use the switch for the t-case. As soon as it says the shift is completed you will be in 4wd. This will eat up 1-2 mpg because of the extra drag but it used to be common for people to lock hubs in the fall, run all winter and unlock in the spring. These days people seem scared to use 4wd and avoid doing so thinking they are going to wear it out. My truck is in 4wd for miles almost every day in the winter, never worn out a 4wd system in 30 years of trying.
You just have to be more patient with it, plan ahead or lock them and unlock them manually.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
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From: Central KY
Two thoughts I'll share:
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
Two thoughts I'll share:
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 4,786
From: Itinerant
Yours is the exception then. I have never owned a Ford with ESOF that engaged in 100 yards or less, never. I have owned several. How are you determining when the hubs are locked because there is not confirmation from the truck? I have tried to trust the ESOF but have been rewarded with harsh engagements when I was wrong. Bottom line is, it is a ****ty system that people who NEED 4wd do not trust.
My 2012 was the same way. If I had to drive/ wait a 100 yards before engaging something would be fixed.
My 2016 is the same way, turn **** and almost immediately 4x4.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Two thoughts I'll share:
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
My truck has 85k on it now and when I switch to 4-high the hubs lock almost immediately. Every time. If I had to drive 100 yards before my front axle started to help pull the truck I would consider that a failure of a system and my dealership would have the truck at their service dept. Unacceptable. Often times 100 yards and you're out of the mud/situation you needed four wheel drive for to begin with.
Secondly, when the day comes that I no longer have warranty and my hubs fail, I will remove the vacuum system completely and replace the hubs with traditional lock in/lock out hubs from Milemarker or maybe Warn and never worry about it again.
OP, perhaps your shift motor is weak, loose, bad connection, etc. if you dont have a vacuum leak and the hubs are functioning correctly......check the shift motor (assuming you have ESOF).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17603059176...xoCkXgQAvD_BwE
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
LOL I don't think you guys claiming immediate engagement of the hubs have actually verified this. Tell you what, test it, I bet you are wrong. Engage 4wd and right afterwards, crank the wheel and floor it. $100 says it slams into engagement, because... it wasn't engaged when the display said it was... I can feel the t-case shift too but that is only part of the equation
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 4,786
From: Itinerant
LOL I don't think you guys claiming immediate engagement of the hubs have actually verified this. Tell you what, test it, I bet you are wrong. Engage 4wd and right afterwards, crank the wheel and floor it. $100 says it slams into engagement, because... it wasn't engaged when the display said it was... I can feel the t-case shift too but that is only part of the equation
Or when I climb these and switch from 2wd to 4wd it's my imagination.
I'll respectfully disagree with you about how my truck shifts in to 4x4 .
From the manual which seems to be how it reacts and feels as the shift happens and the light activates.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
prior to this issue (133k miles) i would switch the **** and i could hear/feel the clunk of engagement relatively quick but not imediately.
what i was trying was what was typical for this truck (5 to 10 feet at a slow roll for engagement) that is why i couldnt understand what was going on.
i will try after work and see where it is now......
what i was trying was what was typical for this truck (5 to 10 feet at a slow roll for engagement) that is why i couldnt understand what was going on.
i will try after work and see where it is now......