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4x4 engagement issue... HELP!

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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 11:53 AM
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Cool 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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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 03:01 PM
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Welcome to the forum

Sounds like you may have a small windshield leak getting water into the GEM module causing you problems.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2007 | 03:26 PM
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Well i had a new windshield installed about a year ago cuz my other one was cracked but it did this before and after that with the module being replaced in between
 
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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ttt please anyone?
 
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 11:07 PM
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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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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 01:53 AM
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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.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 05:12 PM
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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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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 09:16 PM
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All newer Ford's run off a vacuum.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:08 PM
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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.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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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?
</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
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Old Jan 15, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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I just found out that they do make an aftermarket "cable type" design that you pull a **** and it pulls the cable that in turn engages the slip yoke for the 4wd on the front axle.
Rich
 
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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so who makes the pull cable?
 
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:16 AM
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Thanks, but I'm not really interested in jumbling up my interior with the cable type deal unless its my only hope... I'd like to just figure out what its deal is.. Thanks though
 
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by bigmike371
so who makes the pull cable?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ent-setup.html

eBay Motors: 4x4 Posi-Lok AXLE DISCONNECT System 97-03 Ford F150 4WD (item 230128681972 end time Jan-30-09 07:15:19 PST)
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 04:21 PM
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wreck, did you fix the problem yet? I have the same problem, that's why I ask.
 
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