1997 f-150 4x4 extended cab 4.6 L 140000 miles
when I drive my truck for a long distance and everything is hot and Igo to use the 4x4 I pull the lever the shifter moves but it does not go into 4x4 and the light does not goes on if I wait for an half hour and truck cools down I pull the shifter then it goes into 4x4 and the lght goes on and works fine until i'm done needing it any clues?

 

are you driving or standing when this happens? Or does it happen either way??

 

I'm either standing still or rolling very slowly for a very short distance

 

on the front of the transfer case is a mechanical/electrical switch. the floor shift lever engages it to activatee a relay to send power to the vacuum relays on the firewall. i had the same problem and the part was 30 dollars i think and took me all of 10 minutes to install once i had it.

 

i'm moving this week to a new house soon as i settled in i will give a try and get back thanks,