4x4
4x4 not working
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Junior User
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From: Duck Hill USA
4x4 not working
I have 2001 F250 with 58,000 miles on it and the 4x4 light will come on when you turn the switch but it will not go into 4x4! One day I tried it and it wouldn't take it and I tried it later that day and it took it and today I tired it to back the boat up the hill and I couldn't get it to take it! Can anyone tell me what may be wrong with it!
Thanks
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
How often do you use the 4WD? If it's been a while, the hubs may be seized up a little. Do they work if you manually lock the hubs?
Pull them off (very easy) and clean them. It's just a snapring on each hub and they pull right off. Just a pair of pliers and you're all set. Let them soak in ATF for a few hours and then apply a LIGHT coat of grease to the splines and give it a shot.
If that doesn't help, you have either a - a leak in the vacuum lines to the hubs, or b - the vacuum solenoid isn't working.
Pull them off (very easy) and clean them. It's just a snapring on each hub and they pull right off. Just a pair of pliers and you're all set. Let them soak in ATF for a few hours and then apply a LIGHT coat of grease to the splines and give it a shot.
If that doesn't help, you have either a - a leak in the vacuum lines to the hubs, or b - the vacuum solenoid isn't working.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by rbi
I had the very same problem. It was the vacum seal. Even manualy locking the hubs didn't work. Problem fixed by deal, not cheap ($800)
To the OP: Manually lock the hubs and see what happens next time.
The fact that they work, and then don't work, and then work again means one thing. It's not a big honkin' vacuum leak like a seal is completely shot, or a hose is broken. You'd have all or nothing.
Either the vacuum solenoid is going bad, or the hubs are sticking. Betting dollars to donuts, the hubs are probably just sticking.
On edit: there is a relay that controls the vacuum solenoid, and this can become intermittent also... but try cleaning the hubs first.
Do the procedure that BFR250SD posted. If you're still having problems, come back here, and we'll work on this with you all the way
Last edited by krewat; May 30, 2006 at 09:35 PM. Reason: Added one other possible failure mode.
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From: Duck Hill USA
thanks for all the help but it will take me a few days to get to work on it but i will let everyone know how it turns out, hopefully not much money involved!
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From: Helmville MT
Originally Posted by rbi
I had the very same problem. It was the vacum seal. Even manualy locking the hubs didn't work. Problem fixed by deal, not cheap ($800)
Funny story -wife decided to take a "short cut" over the mountain a couple weeks ago - still snow at the top. Ihad already turned the hubs out and she knew that. She gets to the top, spins in the snow a little, turns the dash switch and said the truck was fine after that. I asked her if she had got out and turned the hubs - she says "oops". At least she *thought* she was in fwd and felt better <g>
mike in montana
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From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by MTMike
I asked her if she had got out and turned the hubs - she says "oops". At least she *thought* she was in fwd and felt better <G>
mike in montana
mike in montana
I better shut up! Not like any of us would EVER do that!
I did the same not too long ago while I was out playing around. Thought I broke something up front, as the front wheels weren't turning. After leaving two big dug out trenches (ARB's rock, by the way) up this trail, I realize I forgot to lock the front hubs.
Last edited by BFR250SD; May 31, 2006 at 12:13 PM.
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From: The Republic of Texas
Mine did the same thing. I bought a 2001 used in 2003. First time in the mud, the ESOF did not work. Got it home & asked the same question here that you did. Mine was nothing more than a dry-rotted vacuum hose at the back of the hub. Just had to cut off the bad end and put it back in place. Hasn't failed since, & I drive in mud about once a month. Using it often helps keep everything in working order.
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From: Duck Hill USA
I still haven't got chance to look for vacum leak but i think that is my problem because i noticed yesterday when i tried it it made me defrost come on but it still wouldn't go in 4x4 so i got out and turn the hubs manually and the 4x4 worked and my ac finally came back on by itself! However when i got out of the field i turned the hubs back to auto and it went into 4x4 by itself one time but it made my defrost come on again but when i took it out of 4x4 that time it hasn't went back in by itself i had to do it manually so i am betting it being a slow vacume leak somewhere!
