I'm having the same problem and can't figure it out. What was your fix? Thanks, Bryan

 

I've had ESOF problems with my '02 F250 for a year and still trying to figure it out. I do get the 4H & 4L dash lights when the key is turned on, but nothing when I turn the dash switch. I can switch the TC into low range by manually activating the relays under the hood, but it never goes into 4wd, just low range. I do have a new dash switch, and have tried both old and new with no luck. Any suggestions?

 

Down on your transfer case are 2 electrical plugs. There is a 2 wire plug that goes to the shift motor. If you can manually actuate the transfer case then that plug is good. There is another larger one that is for the encoder. Check that plug out and see if there is any damage or corrosion or anything like that. The truck won't even attempt to shift the transfer case if it can't tell for sure what position it's already in.

 

Baatzy, I'd checked both plugs to the TC out and didn't see any damage or corrosion. I added dielectric grease when it was put back together. I guess the part on the TC that it plugs into could be bad.
I thought about going ahead and putting a new shift motor on it, but I really don't like just throwing parts at it.
Could a bad trans position sensor cause a problem like this? It can be hard to get into reverse a times, will look like it is, but I have to move the stalk up a little to get th trans to go into R. I tried adjusting the sensor, but nothing changed.