electronic shift 4wd issues
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Calgary
electronic shift 4wd issues
ok so it's been 20-30 below here for a week or 2 and ever since the tempurature dropped I don't have 4wd. I checked the fuses, they are good, all the wiring seems to be intacted and connections are tight. Anyone else have this problem??? Any idea what it might be? How much hassle is it to replace this ****ty electronic stuff with the shift mechanism from an XL or XLT? I'm getting tired of not having 4wd when I really need it! Help!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
It doesn't get that cold here in Texas, but it does get soaking wet and those freezing mists do get into tight places sometimes.
Could the hubs be frozen? If so, can you still lock them manually?
Or is it the transfer case that's not engaging?
Do the lights come on - in the dash?
Could the hubs be frozen? If so, can you still lock them manually?
Or is it the transfer case that's not engaging?
Do the lights come on - in the dash?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
First off you can push the botton drive a few feet and go under neath to see if the front driveshaft is locked. It should be. You could have one hub not locking in. Put the hubs to manual lock and see if that works..
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Junior User
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From: Calgary
hey sorry, I should have given you more info. The 4x4 light doesn't come on and I can't hear the solenoid on the TC (normally can if the truck isn't running, key on). With the switch in 4 high, I can turn the driveshaft by hand. I manually lock the hubs (obviously can't turn the d shaft by hand then) and still have no 4x4. If it were the hubs and not the solenoid on the TC, and I put it in 4 low, I should have the low gearing even if the hubs didn't lock, but I have no low range either.
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Originally posted by bigtoyfreak
hey sorry, I should have given you more info. The 4x4 light doesn't come on and I can't hear the solenoid on the TC (normally can if the truck isn't running, key on). With the switch in 4 high, I can turn the driveshaft by hand. I manually lock the hubs (obviously can't turn the d shaft by hand then) and still have no 4x4. If it were the hubs and not the solenoid on the TC, and I put it in 4 low, I should have the low gearing even if the hubs didn't lock, but I have no low range either.
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
hey sorry, I should have given you more info. The 4x4 light doesn't come on and I can't hear the solenoid on the TC (normally can if the truck isn't running, key on). With the switch in 4 high, I can turn the driveshaft by hand. I manually lock the hubs (obviously can't turn the d shaft by hand then) and still have no 4x4. If it were the hubs and not the solenoid on the TC, and I put it in 4 low, I should have the low gearing even if the hubs didn't lock, but I have no low range either.
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
I don't have a good answer, but maybe this will help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Originally posted by bigtoyfreak
hey sorry, I should have given you more info. The 4x4 light doesn't come on and I can't hear the solenoid on the TC (normally can if the truck isn't running, key on). With the switch in 4 high, I can turn the driveshaft by hand. I manually lock the hubs (obviously can't turn the d shaft by hand then) and still have no 4x4. If it were the hubs and not the solenoid on the TC, and I put it in 4 low, I should have the low gearing even if the hubs didn't lock, but I have no low range either.
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
hey sorry, I should have given you more info. The 4x4 light doesn't come on and I can't hear the solenoid on the TC (normally can if the truck isn't running, key on). With the switch in 4 high, I can turn the driveshaft by hand. I manually lock the hubs (obviously can't turn the d shaft by hand then) and still have no 4x4. If it were the hubs and not the solenoid on the TC, and I put it in 4 low, I should have the low gearing even if the hubs didn't lock, but I have no low range either.
Anyway, none of this matters as it all started working again this evening...for how long I don't know
There is not solenoid that shifts your transfercase its a shift motor with limit switches to keep it in sync.
There have been times when the motor or switches stick and won't alow it to shift.
Yes I agree keep using it .
Rich
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Junior User
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From: Calgary
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Big Orn
All I can say is - use it often. Switch regularly to keep the components loose. I have posted here that I think the ESOF needs to learn how to work - and I switch mine every time I get on soft ground. I don't have a good answer, but maybe this will help.
I work in construction and I'm driving though mud, sand or soft soil almost daily, not to mention the 5-6 months of snow every year. 4x4 gets used almost daily. The TC fluid was changed about 4 months ago. Thanks for the input though. Out of curiousity, does everyones truck make a loud clunk when 4x4 is engaged? I've had the truck to the dealership and they say that it is normal, sounds brutal to me. I realize that the front drive shaft and diff need to come up to speed, but god is it loud!
All I can say is - use it often. Switch regularly to keep the components loose. I have posted here that I think the ESOF needs to learn how to work - and I switch mine every time I get on soft ground. I don't have a good answer, but maybe this will help.
I work in construction and I'm driving though mud, sand or soft soil almost daily, not to mention the 5-6 months of snow every year. 4x4 gets used almost daily. The TC fluid was changed about 4 months ago. Thanks for the input though. Out of curiousity, does everyones truck make a loud clunk when 4x4 is engaged? I've had the truck to the dealership and they say that it is normal, sounds brutal to me. I realize that the front drive shaft and diff need to come up to speed, but god is it loud!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
[QUOTE]Originally posted by bigtoyfreak
It is not normal! I can hardly hear mine shift if the radio is off and with the windows down.
Something is wrong - now we're getting somewhere.
Originally posted by Big Orn
All I can say is - use it often. Switch regularly to keep the components loose. I have posted here that I think the ESOF needs to learn how to work - and I switch mine every time I get on soft ground. I don't have a good answer, but maybe this will help.
I work in construction and I'm driving though mud, sand or soft soil almost daily, not to mention the 5-6 months of snow every year. 4x4 gets used almost daily. The TC fluid was changed about 4 months ago. Thanks for the input though. Out of curiousity, does everyones truck make a loud clunk when 4x4 is engaged? I've had the truck to the dealership and they say that it is normal, sounds brutal to me. I realize that the front drive shaft and diff need to come up to speed, but god is it loud!
All I can say is - use it often. Switch regularly to keep the components loose. I have posted here that I think the ESOF needs to learn how to work - and I switch mine every time I get on soft ground. I don't have a good answer, but maybe this will help.
I work in construction and I'm driving though mud, sand or soft soil almost daily, not to mention the 5-6 months of snow every year. 4x4 gets used almost daily. The TC fluid was changed about 4 months ago. Thanks for the input though. Out of curiousity, does everyones truck make a loud clunk when 4x4 is engaged? I've had the truck to the dealership and they say that it is normal, sounds brutal to me. I realize that the front drive shaft and diff need to come up to speed, but god is it loud!
Something is wrong - now we're getting somewhere.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
The clunk could be
excessive slop in the chain in the transfercase . or a shift fork guide pad wear in the transfercase.
or drive shaft front u-joint or u-joint in axle half shafts.
whats your mileage ?
Rich
excessive slop in the chain in the transfercase . or a shift fork guide pad wear in the transfercase.
or drive shaft front u-joint or u-joint in axle half shafts.
whats your mileage ?
Rich
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
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Mine wouldn't engage either, pulled the little electric motor off the t-case and cleaned it, works great now. Some one told me to tap on it as if it were a starter not engaging and I did, which made it engage. This told me the contacts within were dirty. A little electrical parts cleaner.......the rest is history. Good luck
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
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From: NE Texas
Originally posted by 99f350sd
Don't say that too loud!!! those motors have magnets that can break if you hit them unlike the old starters...Just a small tap could spell disaster...
Don't say that too loud!!! those motors have magnets that can break if you hit them unlike the old starters...Just a small tap could spell disaster...
But, it sounds like bigtoyfreak's problem is more mechanical than electronic.
Maybe someone with more knowledge of that transfer case will jump in and have an idea.
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Junior User
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From: Calgary
ok so it seems that if I have the hubs locked manually, all its well. However, if the hubs aren't locked, I have no 4x4, no light on the dash and no low range, which would lead me to believe that there must be a circuit or sensor that locks the hubs first, and only after they are engaged, the T/C will engage. Can anybody confirm this? There must be a ford mechanic on here somewhere 