4X4 problems
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4X4 problems
I have a '99 350 PSD 4X4. It has the electronic shift mechanism for getting in and out of 4 wheel drive. Last night it would not shift into 4X4. After asking around, it sounds like it may be the shifting motor on the transfer case (which is a very small and not very durable looking electric motor). Ford dealer wants $500 to replace, just the motor will cost me ~$375.
I have thought about converting it over to a manual shift anyway, and now the timing would be good. Is this even an option for me, or am I committed to getting shaken down every few years? Are there any 250/350's with a manual shift transfer case that I could buy the mechanism and bolt on?
Any other advice would also be appreciated.
I have thought about converting it over to a manual shift anyway, and now the timing would be good. Is this even an option for me, or am I committed to getting shaken down every few years? Are there any 250/350's with a manual shift transfer case that I could buy the mechanism and bolt on?
Any other advice would also be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: East Hampton, NY
Are you sure its the motor? Went through a smilar headache, and it turned out to be the hubs. More often than not folks have problems with the vacuum system. You have the auto/manual hubs, right? I don't want to sound foolish, but did you try manually locking the hubs? To make sure the hubs are locked, you can grab the u-joint behind the wheels. If you cant move em, than the hubs are locked.
Did the 4x4 light illuminate on the dash? To see if the transfer case is engaging, have someone drive the truck slowly with the switch in 4-hi while your outside looking under at the front driveshaft. If the front driveshaft is turning, then the switch and transfercase are working. If not, then it might be the switch or the motor. You can pop out the motor easily enough. To see if the motor is working, you need to remove it, ground the motor to the case and have somebody turn the switch to 4-hi. Not sure how you would test the switch exactly. I imagine with a multi-tester.
Good luck.
-Shawn
Did the 4x4 light illuminate on the dash? To see if the transfer case is engaging, have someone drive the truck slowly with the switch in 4-hi while your outside looking under at the front driveshaft. If the front driveshaft is turning, then the switch and transfercase are working. If not, then it might be the switch or the motor. You can pop out the motor easily enough. To see if the motor is working, you need to remove it, ground the motor to the case and have somebody turn the switch to 4-hi. Not sure how you would test the switch exactly. I imagine with a multi-tester.
Good luck.
-Shawn
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I did not try locking the hubs, but could give it a try. The 4X4 light is not even coming on when I switch it and it doesn't sound like anything is happening. I did pull the switch to try and test it, but am not sure either what to do there.
I pulled the cover off the electric motor, but was not sure how to remove the actual motor from the transfer case.
I talked to a guy at a local wrecking yard and he has the manual linkage off another '99, but he does not think that the transfer cases are the same.
I pulled the cover off the electric motor, but was not sure how to remove the actual motor from the transfer case.
I talked to a guy at a local wrecking yard and he has the manual linkage off another '99, but he does not think that the transfer cases are the same.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: On the road in Ohio
to test the switch , use a test light , first turn the ingnition to the on position, the switch in 2wd, find the hot wire. see if you have 12v, check the other wires should not have power to them, next switch to 4wd check the other wires you should have 2 wires with 12v sorry i dont have the color codes for you but i hope you get the ideal.
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Originally posted by cwb
In a bit of a hi-jack, would it not be possible to just upgrade the t-case to something better any way?
In a bit of a hi-jack, would it not be possible to just upgrade the t-case to something better any way?
Anybody else know?
Posting Guru
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I can't imagine very much. You could keep your vacuum hubs and just use yours as manuals. You could swap the hubs for some Warn manuals.MIght have to work on the crossmember a little
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Senior User
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From: East Hampton, NY
Maybe check the electricial connector at the back of the motor? Remove the connector and make sure its not all crudded up in there. If the switch is ok, maybe the motor isn't getting any juice. Hope you figure it out soon.
-Shawn
-Shawn
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Missouri
I'm new to this forum and learning a great deal from you guys
here's my problem........
Last Satuday my F350SC 4X4 DRW did exactly the same thing as Idaho Dan's truck did,
now It's stuck at the house.I have a 750 Ft. gravel drive (packed with ice and snow) with about the same grade.I put the hubs in lock position but no luck. I can hear the
transfer case shift motor run when I flip the dash switch
but it won't engage(no lights,no FWD) My question..... is there
anybody out there that knows how to manually engage the transfer case?
If not I'm stuck until spring.
Thanks
WF
here's my problem........
Last Satuday my F350SC 4X4 DRW did exactly the same thing as Idaho Dan's truck did,
now It's stuck at the house.I have a 750 Ft. gravel drive (packed with ice and snow) with about the same grade.I put the hubs in lock position but no luck. I can hear the
transfer case shift motor run when I flip the dash switch
but it won't engage(no lights,no FWD) My question..... is there
anybody out there that knows how to manually engage the transfer case?
If not I'm stuck until spring.
Thanks
WF
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 720
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From: South Dakota
Re: 4X4 problems
[i]I have thought about converting it over to a manual shift anyway, and now the timing would be good. Is this even an option for me, or am I committed to getting shaken down every few years? Are there any 250/350's with a manual shift transfer case that I could buy the mechanism and bolt on?
Any other advice would also be appreciated. [/B]
Any other advice would also be appreciated. [/B]
Last edited by MJD; Feb 10, 2004 at 07:27 PM.
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Originally posted by SMB
Maybe check the electricial connector at the back of the motor? Remove the connector and make sure its not all crudded up in there. If the switch is ok, maybe the motor isn't getting any juice. Hope you figure it out soon.
-Shawn
Maybe check the electricial connector at the back of the motor? Remove the connector and make sure its not all crudded up in there. If the switch is ok, maybe the motor isn't getting any juice. Hope you figure it out soon.
-Shawn
I can't find a manual anywhere in town with a schematic diagram. I will try the library today. If anyone has one and can tell me if that swtch is supposed to send power down that wire, I would appreciate it.
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Originally posted by fuz1
I'm new to this forum and learning a great deal from you guys
here's my problem........
Last Satuday my F350SC 4X4 DRW did exactly the same thing as Idaho Dan's truck did,
now It's stuck at the house.I have a 750 Ft. gravel drive (packed with ice and snow) with about the same grade.I put the hubs in lock position but no luck. I can hear the
transfer case shift motor run when I flip the dash switch
but it won't engage(no lights,no FWD) My question..... is there
anybody out there that knows how to manually engage the transfer case?
If not I'm stuck until spring.
Thanks
WF
I'm new to this forum and learning a great deal from you guys
here's my problem........
Last Satuday my F350SC 4X4 DRW did exactly the same thing as Idaho Dan's truck did,
now It's stuck at the house.I have a 750 Ft. gravel drive (packed with ice and snow) with about the same grade.I put the hubs in lock position but no luck. I can hear the
transfer case shift motor run when I flip the dash switch
but it won't engage(no lights,no FWD) My question..... is there
anybody out there that knows how to manually engage the transfer case?
If not I'm stuck until spring.
Thanks
WF
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: East Hampton, NY
Glad you found the problem. So what about that switch? Did you figure out why you weren't reading anything from the connector down by the motor?
One more, please. Did the motor give any sign that it was going to crap out, or did it just go?
Glad its back.
-Shawn
One more, please. Did the motor give any sign that it was going to crap out, or did it just go?
Glad its back.
-Shawn