Esof @#%#!
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
Esof @#%#!
4x4 wasn't working a couple yrs ago. Light wouldn't come one when I turned the switch. I found the plug that plugs into the transfer case was loose, pushed it in and all was good. Every once in a while I would need to crawl under and push it back on and it was fine. I needed it the other day turned the switch and nothing. Pushed in the plug and nothing. I can turn switch push and jiggle the plug on the transfer case and the light will come on at times. After the light is on it won't switch of nor switch to 4lo. Cut the truck of and the light goes off. Any suggestions?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 930
My suggestion is to stop asking the truck “please , mother may I shift into 4x4 now” and start telling it by ditching the failure prone ESOF and converting it to a manual shift.
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
My suggestion is to stop asking the truck “please , mother may I shift into 4x4 now” and start telling it by ditching the failure prone ESOF and converting it to a manual shift.
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,645
Sounds like the issue is in your wiring, perhaps over the years your connectors have worn out and need to be replaced. Possibly the contacts in them have corroded to the point of being useless? Did you inspect those connections internally?
If you want to go to a manual shift that's your choice, I never had issues with the ESOF system, the only issue I had was with the vacuum hubs which were blocked off and converter to full manual.
If you want to go to a manual shift that's your choice, I never had issues with the ESOF system, the only issue I had was with the vacuum hubs which were blocked off and converter to full manual.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
Sounds like the issue is in your wiring, perhaps over the years your connectors have worn out and need to be replaced. Possibly the contacts in them have corroded to the point of being useless? Did you inspect those connections internally?
If you want to go to a manual shift that's your choice, I never had issues with the ESOF system, the only issue I had was with the vacuum hubs which were blocked off and converter to full manual.
If you want to go to a manual shift that's your choice, I never had issues with the ESOF system, the only issue I had was with the vacuum hubs which were blocked off and converter to full manual.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,117
Likes: 1,645
Before you go cutting and splicing, though, I would suggest checking the wiring to make sure it isn't a dead short somewhere, and that the wires are still in good shape otherwise. No point in throwing parts at it, diagnose to find the root cause.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,292
Likes: 2,197
Alternative thought
My 2010 f-450 4x4 has hub lock problems using the rotary dial.
vacuum tested the system and the hub case was leaking via unrelated bushings ….so dial control locking was no longer possible.
had to use the manual locks.
buy yes, the shift lever on the floor is always better…had one on my 2008 f-350 DRW.
My 2010 f-450 4x4 has hub lock problems using the rotary dial.
vacuum tested the system and the hub case was leaking via unrelated bushings ….so dial control locking was no longer possible.
had to use the manual locks.
buy yes, the shift lever on the floor is always better…had one on my 2008 f-350 DRW.
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
My suggestion is to stop asking the truck “please , mother may I shift into 4x4 now” and start telling it by ditching the failure prone ESOF and converting it to a manual shift.
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
Wildhorse manufacturing (an actual US company and makes their stuff in the USA) makes a kit to do this. You’ll still have to source the shift lever and boot (either new or junkyard parts). See link below to the kit I’m talking about.
https://wildhorsemfg.com/index.php/n...onversion-kit/
…
if I did this I would find a mechanic to do it for me. I am leaning towards this heavily. If I went this route would the 4x4 indicator lights still display when I manually put it in 4x4h or low?
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
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Essentially yes, you would need to get the pigtails from Ford, cut the old off, and splice them back together, whether you soldered or used crimp connectors (I like the ones with built-in heat shrink if you go that route). Replacing the entire harness would be expensive since you'd need to pull the ENTIRE body harness.
Before you go cutting and splicing, though, I would suggest checking the wiring to make sure it isn't a dead short somewhere, and that the wires are still in good shape otherwise. No point in throwing parts at it, diagnose to find the root cause.
Before you go cutting and splicing, though, I would suggest checking the wiring to make sure it isn't a dead short somewhere, and that the wires are still in good shape otherwise. No point in throwing parts at it, diagnose to find the root cause.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 930
…
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
I cleaned up the connections. The plug still is missing the clamp that secures it to the tranfer case but I was able to get it on and switch to 4h. After I switch to 4h I put it in neutral, foot on brake hard, flip to 4low and nothing. No click, no light nothing. I've tried rolling a little hitting the brake, waiting a minute and nothing happens. 4h is working properly though.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 998
From: Near Yosemite CA
#1 you're going to pay a lot of $$ to have someone else TS and fix the issue, unless you have a bunch laying around, I would climb under and start at the t-case motor, they do like to seize up if not used more than once a yr or so. Had a friends stop working, he rarely used it, his motor was partially toast, would go in 4h, then pop the fuse. Rplc'd the shifter motor, new fuse, good to go... my 02 F350 still has the esof, still works well "knock on da wood" I did cap the vacuum line to the front axle so I can use 2L in 2wd when wanted, then in the winter I just leave the hubs in Lock and turn the **** for 4H/4L
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,635
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I cleaned up the connections. The plug still is missing the clamp that secures it to the tranfer case but I was able to get it on and switch to 4h. After I switch to 4h I put it in neutral, foot on brake hard, flip to 4low and nothing. No click, no light nothing. I've tried rolling a little hitting the brake, waiting a minute and nothing happens. 4h is working properly though.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Shift motor seems to be working. Wouldn't think its that. There might be a relay for the 4lo. Check that. I would get FORSCAN downloaded asap. That will tell you a lot
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 80
Likes: 10
I cleaned up the connections. The plug still is missing the clamp that secures it to the tranfer case but I was able to get it on and switch to 4h. After I switch to 4h I put it in neutral, foot on brake hard, flip to 4low and nothing. No click, no light nothing. I've tried rolling a little hitting the brake, waiting a minute and nothing happens. 4h is working properly though.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
1. Since 4h works could it stil be the under hood relay?
2. Could the shift motor be the issue even though 4h works?
Any suggestions? Thanks.
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