4x4 engagement issue... HELP!
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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4x4 engagement issue... HELP!
Here's the deal.... I have a 97 F250 LD with a 5.4 and a 4R100 trans, 10.25 semi floater rear and 8.8 IFS Front. It has the 4x4 **** in the dash and lately, since it got cold out, (i'm in MN) if i leave it outside when it's windy, The 4x4 will not engage, light doesnt turn on, motor doesnt move, nothing! Also the other way around, if i leave it in 4x4 overnight, when i get in it in the morning, the light will be off but its still locked in until i get everything good and warm then it works just fine. I had the GEM module replaced about a year ago because it did this all the time, then it worked fine for like a year until about 3 weeks ago now its acting up again. Anybody else have this problem? Thanks
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Joined: Aug 2008
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I don't know if it will help you but check the electric motor on the transfer case. My truck would not enguage no 4x4 lights nothing tapped on the motor and 4x4 worked just fine. Maybe not the problem just a thought. I know how you feel trying to fix it but can't figure it out.
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I have this problem annually and it's always a vaccum problem. From what I've been told, Ford's 4WD is the worst design of them all and the hubs engage on a vaccum if you don't have manual locking hubs.
Honestly though, I don't dig into hubs. I took my truck to a shop and they changed it the first time for about $125. Every one after that has been about $30.
I have a shifter on the floor, but automatic locking hubs.
Hope that helps a bit.
Honestly though, I don't dig into hubs. I took my truck to a shop and they changed it the first time for about $125. Every one after that has been about $30.
I have a shifter on the floor, but automatic locking hubs.
Hope that helps a bit.
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No i replaced that motor and it didnt help, and maybe it could be vacuum i havent looked into that yet but mine is the elec dash switch.... Do they also run off vacuum?
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From: Isanti, MN
Ah, but the HUBS do not lock in or out on the '97-03s...if I remember right it's a slip yoke near the pinion for the front diff....and yes, it's vacuum actuated.
If it was doing the same thing before, and was fixed with a new GEM...LXman1 seems right on the mark...I'd check to make sure that windshield is sealing right, then go from there.
If it was doing the same thing before, and was fixed with a new GEM...LXman1 seems right on the mark...I'd check to make sure that windshield is sealing right, then go from there.
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<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Wow this is an old thread haha but its that time of year again and of course my 4x4 doesn't engage... So 2 weeks ago I put in a new GEM again AND had the windshield removed and re-installed (boy did I get some odd looks from the guys at the auto glass place haha) and still it does nothing if I leave it sit outside for a long period of time. But I did find out that if I pull it into 2nd for a couple miles and warm it all up good, the 4x4 works just fine. How odd is that?
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