Problem with 4-low
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Problem with 4-low
Well the problem is it doesn't work. For a while it kinda had a mind of its own but recently I tried taking it to a shop and what do you know it worked PERFECT.
2 days later ( and at a time when I really could have used ) it poof, nowhere to be found and since then it just no-worky no-more
. Well I am stumped. I am personally a Chevy guy and this is my company work truck, but maybe it is just F-ing with me because I wear a Bowtie
the truck is an 03 F250 with the craptastic 5.4L
I would really like your guys' help because as any of you with this combo know the 4-HI has NO pulling power at all and is pretty much useless.
PLEASE help me with this one. I am a land surveyor and use my truck on a daily basis and 98% of my time is spent off-road and you know what that means. Lots of mud!!
Oh yeah how do I make these blue highlights go bye-bye?
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2 days later ( and at a time when I really could have used ) it poof, nowhere to be found and since then it just no-worky no-more . Well I am stumped. I am personally a Chevy guy and this is my company work truck, but maybe it is just F-ing with me because I wear a Bowtie the truck is an 03 F250 with the craptastic 5.4L
I would really like your guys' help because as any of you with this combo know the 4-HI has NO pulling power at all and is pretty much useless. PLEASE help me with this one. I am a land surveyor and use my truck on a daily basis and 98% of my time is spent off-road and you know what that means. Lots of mud!!
Oh yeah how do I make these blue highlights go bye-bye?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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We are gonna need a little more info. Is the truck equiped with ESOF? (was it even available on 5.4 truckes?) Does 4 hi work, and not 4 lo? Or is the 4wd system malfunctioned all together? Is the t-case working, and not getting power to the front end? Shift lever (if equiped) seem loose, or broke? Many ways to trobleshoot the problem, but may need to be a little more specific.
Even if you are a chevy guy, we will try not to hold that against you, after all nobody is perfect.
Even if you are a chevy guy, we will try not to hold that against you, after all nobody is perfect.
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It is ESOF, and yes 4-Hi works fine as well as the T-case (the front tires def. turn when in 4-Hi I am sure because I have been stuck). I hear a slight Click sound when shifting to 4-Hi, But when trying to go into 4-Low (in neutral, foot on brake) there should be a louder click but it never happens. The Lights on the dash both flash when you crank it and when shifting into 4-Hi that light works but the 4-Low light doesn't come on , cause it is not shifting into Low
Post Fiend
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Bad actuator. It sounds like it just will not engage 4lo. The clicking is normal. Have you tried to roll slightly when you are trying to engage 4lo? It probably will not help, but I don't think it would hurt. Tyhe actuator is responsible for engaging the t-case, as well as providing the vacuum pulse for the front hubs. I would think your problem is there. Although, some of the f-150 guys have actually had the switch in the dash go bad, could check to see that when you call 4lo, that the switch is actually being made (contact closure). Then after you isolate the switch, you can check the case.
Good luck, hope it is something simple. (usually is)
Good luck, hope it is something simple. (usually is)
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yeah I have tried to be slightly rolling as well as coming to a rest in N to eliminate the resistance on the system. I had a problem with the instrument cluster a few months ago and had a new one put in. That fixed it for a bit ( the speedo was broke) but sure enough the problem came back. I will try to check the switch first and go from there.
One other ? Do the front hubs auto lock or are they just limited slip? I was wondering because the hubs say either Lock or Auto? the mechanic said L.S.
Oh and where is this actuator and how can I check it?
One other ? Do the front hubs auto lock or are they just limited slip? I was wondering because the hubs say either Lock or Auto? the mechanic said L.S.
Oh and where is this actuator and how can I check it?
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So it is a true full locking hub then not an LSD.
Yeah it a great freakin system I wish it had the old floor shifter, at least with them if it didnt want to go in easy you could beat on it.
Yeah it a great freakin system I wish it had the old floor shifter, at least with them if it didnt want to go in easy you could beat on it.
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Post Fiend
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Hey Cape. What is the diff between a "true locking hub, and an LSD? One of us is missing something here. Typically LSD stands for "limited slip differential", which has nothing to do with the hub. The ESOF hub (is supposed to) lock, when 4wd is engaged by the in cab switch, and dis-engage when the switch is returned to 2wd. (via engine vacuum) The trucks hubs can be manually engaged (via the lockouts) to keep them engaged, regardless of ESOF call, or vacuum. Most of the time they stay engaged, most owners don't even realize.
Your problem is not in the hubs. (alright it is, just not in this case!) Have you verified the switch today?
Your problem is not in the hubs. (alright it is, just not in this case!) Have you verified the switch today?
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not yet ^ I will, hopefully I will get the chance this weekend. Taking apart the dash is gonna have to be a weekend project.
By the locking or LSD I was referring tho the front diff. not the hubs, sorry for the confusion. What or where is the actuator swith was 75F350 reffering to ?
By the locking or LSD I was referring tho the front diff. not the hubs, sorry for the confusion. What or where is the actuator swith was 75F350 reffering to ?
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My 2003 F350sd is having a similar problem as Cape's except that it will eventually shift into 4wl. Also when switching the esof back to 4wh it takes forever. I have tried backing up, forward, turning the ignition off then restarting to no avail. From what 75F350 says it may be the actuator. Where is this located and what is the best way to test? Any help will be appreciated as I am tired of being embarrassed trying to get this unpredictable feature to function when it's most needed.
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well this is an old post!
The vaccume lines were disconnected got that fixed and most of the time i have no problems.
phredE-- There is a security feature that your truck has for 4 low so you dont accidentally cause damage. IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO 4-LOW YOU MUST BE STOPPED IN NEUTRAL WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE SYSTEM WILL SHIFT INTO 4-LOW.
Hope that fixes your problem. These trucks are good trucks but not without their quirks and glitches.
The vaccume lines were disconnected got that fixed and most of the time i have no problems.
phredE-- There is a security feature that your truck has for 4 low so you dont accidentally cause damage. IN ORDER TO SHIFT INTO 4-LOW YOU MUST BE STOPPED IN NEUTRAL WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE SYSTEM WILL SHIFT INTO 4-LOW.
Hope that fixes your problem. These trucks are good trucks but not without their quirks and glitches.
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Thanks CAPE! I am aware of the safety feature of being stopped and in neutral. I do have a manual trans and the clutch has to be depressed as well, but the problem still persists. Last week, I could not get it to fail and earlier today when I really really needed to go to 4wL, it would not shift. Later this afternoon I was able to get it to shift into 4wL and back with no problem. Of course when it was at the dealer for two days, no trouble was found. I am thinking about replacing the actuator myself if this is not an all day project.
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