4x4 quit working
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
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From: NE Ohio
4x4 quit working
Hey guys, been reading for the past couple days trying to get ideas on what the problem could be and haven't found anything.
Truck is a 99 f250, the first couple times i went to use 4x4 it worked, the other day i really needed it and it didn't work, came home tried putting it in 4x4 and it worked and that was the last time.
Instantly I thought actuator on the t-case because you can hear the 5 little clicks from the engine compartment but the actuator makes no noise. So I got the test light out and cleaned the connections (now i cant figure out how to get the 6 wire connector to lock back on) but found no power to the actuator, and no power at the switch on the dash.
Before i go drop the money on an actuator, is there a relay or fuse somewhere for the switch? I don't have an owners manual otherwise i'd look in there. I did away with the vac hubs also and went manual, so this isn't a vac related issue.
Any help?
Truck is a 99 f250, the first couple times i went to use 4x4 it worked, the other day i really needed it and it didn't work, came home tried putting it in 4x4 and it worked and that was the last time.
Instantly I thought actuator on the t-case because you can hear the 5 little clicks from the engine compartment but the actuator makes no noise. So I got the test light out and cleaned the connections (now i cant figure out how to get the 6 wire connector to lock back on) but found no power to the actuator, and no power at the switch on the dash.
Before i go drop the money on an actuator, is there a relay or fuse somewhere for the switch? I don't have an owners manual otherwise i'd look in there. I did away with the vac hubs also and went manual, so this isn't a vac related issue.
Any help?
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 23
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Now I don't feel so alone, I have the same exact problem. No voltage @ the dash switch anytime, ! pin on the transfer case plug has constant battery voltage, but never changes[the bigger plug] and there we sit. Why are wiring diagrams such proprietary information anyway, the trucks are 9yrs old!!! Maybe someone can help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,424
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From: Albemarle, NC
Not sure about the older trucks but on the newer ones like mine there is a relay center under the hood on the drivers side inner fender near the firewall that has the 4x4 relays, and a fuse too if Im not mistake.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
06silvercrew is correct, at least on my 99 it's all under the hood. If you here clicking, that's the relay not pulling in, if clicking has stopped, relay may be bad or fuse blown.
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Genuine Ford and Lincoln Mercury Parts & Service
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
There are quite a few threads where I went through exactly how to diagnose this exact problem.
Just to clear up some stuff, the "big connector" is for a switch that tells the GEM what gear the transfer case is in. Think about it as a big switch.
The smaller connector on the motor itself is to run the motor. The relays under the hood change the polarity of the voltage going to the motor, to make it go into, or out of, 4x4.
If you hear clicking from the servo but it never goes in, the servo might be stripped and not moving the shifter in the transfer case. Or something else is wrong.
With the big connector connected, disconnect the small two-wire connector going to the motor, put a test light on it, and turn the switch. If the light lights, you are getting power. It should light for a short period of time (30 seconds?) while it tries to shift INTO 4x4 and then stop.
If anyone has a link to the other threads where I've (and many others) have already posted this information, I'd really appreciate it.
Just to clear up some stuff, the "big connector" is for a switch that tells the GEM what gear the transfer case is in. Think about it as a big switch.
The smaller connector on the motor itself is to run the motor. The relays under the hood change the polarity of the voltage going to the motor, to make it go into, or out of, 4x4.
If you hear clicking from the servo but it never goes in, the servo might be stripped and not moving the shifter in the transfer case. Or something else is wrong.
With the big connector connected, disconnect the small two-wire connector going to the motor, put a test light on it, and turn the switch. If the light lights, you are getting power. It should light for a short period of time (30 seconds?) while it tries to shift INTO 4x4 and then stop.
If anyone has a link to the other threads where I've (and many others) have already posted this information, I'd really appreciate it.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
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From: NE Ohio
I did search and just kept coming up with the threads where people kept confusing the hubs with the electrical side of the system.
I figured it out already anyway. I realized when i was using the test light on the plug that by the time i got down there i missed the pulses of power to it. Had someone turn the switch to 4x4 and have power at the plug. Tells me its the actuator like I originally thought.
Thanks for the replies. And thanks powerstrokehd for the link to the owners manual!!
I figured it out already anyway. I realized when i was using the test light on the plug that by the time i got down there i missed the pulses of power to it. Had someone turn the switch to 4x4 and have power at the plug. Tells me its the actuator like I originally thought.
Thanks for the replies. And thanks powerstrokehd for the link to the owners manual!!
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