4x4 High Problem
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
4x4 High Problem
Ok so i have a REAL problem that I could use a hand problem solving.
My 4x4 switch on the dash isnt switching my truck into 4x4. I have tried playing around with it to see if the heater controls default to the dash and it doesnt. I can lock my hubs and go into 4 lo (havent actually tried 4 hi with the hubs locked)
So Im not without 4x4 yet, but the cushy not getting out of my truck to get unstuck is kinda nice
Anyone got some tips where I should start looking?
My 4x4 switch on the dash isnt switching my truck into 4x4. I have tried playing around with it to see if the heater controls default to the dash and it doesnt. I can lock my hubs and go into 4 lo (havent actually tried 4 hi with the hubs locked)
So Im not without 4x4 yet, but the cushy not getting out of my truck to get unstuck is kinda nice
Anyone got some tips where I should start looking?
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
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From: horicon Wi
i sure aint no expert but i think the vaccum seal is out or the vaccum hose loose for your ESOF 4X4 or you could do the simple way keep it in locked in 4X4 if you dont want to get out of the truck
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Ok I turned the truck off, and when I switch the switch to and fron 2hi, to 4 hi, I can hear something engaging. So i can only assume the shift motor is actually working.
Deereman, whats an esof?
Deereman, whats an esof?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
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From: Newport, WA
Not necessarily. The motor is electronic, the hubs are vacuum actuated, so even if the switch throws the motor into 4x4 your hubs aren't locking for one reason or another. Since you don't have the classic symptoms of a vacuum leak(climate control defaults to defrosters) then here's what I'd try (keep in mind I'm no expert here)- stick your head under the truck and locate the vacuum line that goes to the hub (should be very obvious- you'll have a brake hose, the vacuum line, and ABS wires). Unhook the vacuum line from the hub and use a box-end wrench to remove the nipple to see if it's full of crud. If it is, the big seal behind the hub is no longer sealing and it's time to replace it, which means you get to tear the front end apart (not that big a job really).
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Weird, I was playing around with it tonight, trying to get more symptoms to post on here, and my a/c started to default to the winshield.
Least I know what to check for and where to look now!
Least I know what to check for and where to look now!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: San Diego
I just was going through this and think I still have a leak at the seal behind the hub. My vacuum lines were deteriorated and I had a leak in the vacuum valve. The way I troubleshot it was started at the valve, behind the battery on passenger side inner fender, make sure you have vacuum there and at the weelwell. I was not getting vacuum at the 90* conector that goes over the top of the vacuum canister so that led me to the valve being bad. It is not that hard to t/s and I don't think re o' ringing the hubs is that hard either, use the link that was posted above.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
Ok so i actually did what you suggested sleek, before I read your reply, and I couldnt find a leak at all. The lines coming down to the hubs were fine. So I went for a drive, and couldnt get the a/c to default to defrost, and my 4x4 worked great.
So Im thinking I need to check that valve you are talking about. Is that valve right in that vacuum canister in the engine compartment on the passenger side?
, and I couldnt find a leak at all. The lines coming down to the hubs were fine. So I went for a drive, and couldnt get the a/c to default to defrost, and my 4x4 worked great.So Im thinking I need to check that valve you are talking about. Is that valve right in that vacuum canister in the engine compartment on the passenger side?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
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From: San Diego, CA
Here's what I went through to find my problem (cracked hose, bad solenoid valve and a frozen hub):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post5194088
Post #19 is the writeup of my pain (so much for trusting dealerships and independent mechanic inspections).
It wouldn't be a bad idea to clean the hubs while you're at it. It is recommended that you use 4wd at least once every month to keep everything lubricated and working smoothly. After losing a weekend in my driveway (and nearly $1000) I won't ever let that happen again!
I hope it helps.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: San Diego
Ok so i actually did what you suggested sleek, before I read your reply, and I couldnt find a leak at all. The lines coming down to the hubs were fine. So I went for a drive, and couldnt get the a/c to default to defrost, and my 4x4 worked great.
So Im thinking I need to check that valve you are talking about. Is that valve right in that vacuum canister in the engine compartment on the passenger side?
, and I couldnt find a leak at all. The lines coming down to the hubs were fine. So I went for a drive, and couldnt get the a/c to default to defrost, and my 4x4 worked great.So Im thinking I need to check that valve you are talking about. Is that valve right in that vacuum canister in the engine compartment on the passenger side?
The valve is mounted to the passenger side inner fender right next to the vacuum canister behind the battery. If you look at the vacuum pump it will go to the canister and the canister will go to the valve then the valve lines go to the hubs. If it is a bad valve you should be able to hear it leak around it when you shift to 4x4. What I did was unhook the wire conector and shift it to 4x4 and then plug the conector in. I could hear it leaking then the vacuum pump would kick on and would not build pressure at the line going to the hubs. I don't have a vacuum guage but it would have been nice to have one. It sounds like Brian has the right idea for t/s this.