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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 12:43 AM
  #1  
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4X4 problems

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum. I have a 2000 F250 Crew Cab 7.3L Diesel. I use it primarily to tow my boat and rarely use the four wheel drive. Recently, we got a bunch of snow and I needed to try out the 4X4. I've got the auto hubs and the shift on the fly switch. As it says in my owner's manual, I switched the hubs to the "Auto" setting and the inside switch to "4X4 High". The yellow "4X4" light came on on the instrument panel, but I got no drive from the front tires. I can sit in the snow and spin my back tires and the front tires just sit there, not moving.
Any ideas on what could be wrong? THanks in advance for any help!
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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Welcome to FTE!

Yes. Your hubs are not locking. Common problem with your system, which is called ESOF, or Electronic Shift On the Fly

For short term, get out and switch them to the LOCK position. (This is why you shouldn't get wheels that cover up your hubs, even with ESOF) This will get you by until you fix them. It's OK to leave them locked on dry pavement, just make sure your switch isn't in 4H or 4L when you are on dry pavement.

Search the forum for ESOF. You will find TONS of information on how to remove, inspect, clean and troubleshoot the ESOF hubs. You will also find information on how to replace them with manual hubs (like Warn Gold hubs) that won't give you any problems. It's pretty easy to pull the hubs, no special tools or skills needed.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 01:04 AM
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Sounds like you have a vacuum leak somewhere, its a common problem. Like Red said you can lock the hubs and everything should work until you get the leak fixed.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 01:10 AM
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A sure way to tell if you have a vacuum leak; When you switch into 4H, does your heater system also switch to defrost?
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 01:13 AM
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Thats true, I dont know how I forgot to mention that. Guess thats what I get for answering tech questions at 2 am lol
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 01:41 AM
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It's 12:10 PM here in Kabul.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2008 | 06:57 AM
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What the?

Originally Posted by redford
A sure way to tell if you have a vacuum leak; When you switch into 4H, does your heater system also switch to defrost?
I'm relatively new to the forum (and Superduty's) as well and this just sounds odd to me! Anyone care to shed some light on what he's talking about?
 
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by jdboy
I'm relatively new to the forum (and Superduty's) as well and this just sounds odd to me! Anyone care to shed some light on what he's talking about?
The heating system requires vacuum to hold the defrost door shut and feed air to the floor. When the vacuum goes away because of an ESOF hub leak, the heat goes into defrost mode. When vacuum comes back, the heater goes back to the floor
 
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 08:05 PM
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Thanks for the explanation, I had no idea!
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by jdboy
Thanks for the explanation, I had no idea!
This is exactly why I joined this site
The guys on here have so much useful info and their know-how is well worth the 20 bucks
 
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 11:27 PM
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After you fix the vac leak it probably needs to be cleaned. Try this link.

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page

Budman
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:11 AM
  #12  
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Hello Guys,

I think I'm having this same problem. I posted today a (Rear Different Question). I was stuck in the snow an my 4x4 didn't work correctly. I noticed that my fronts weren't moving and only one tire was spinning in the back. I though that this might have been a rear diff problem. I turn the switch onto 4WH, the light lite up on the dask and you can here the click/vaccum work. AS redford mention, I also notice that my heater turn into defrost. As a dummy I forgot too change the hub manualy. I just went back and forward and I got myself out.

I wanted to know if I do change my ESOF lines do I have to do anything specific? Is it just taking off the old lines and replace with new line? I went to Dieselsite.com and found some lines. The stainless steel are price, but in the long run it might be worth it. Let me know.

redford be save out in afghanistan and I hope you have a Happy NEW YEAR....
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:20 AM
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Nothing special Mike....
Haven't done mine yet but neighbor did her's and didn't have to do anything else.
Can you provide the link to where you bought your's please?
*edit - Dohhh! Now I see the link! DUH!
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 02:41 AM
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Steve_250 I didn't buy them yet. The site that I was looking at is called (Dieselsite.com). On the top of the page under product type in ESOF. Then the lines will show up. I hope this helps. Thanks for the info..
 
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 07:12 PM
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hello everyone,

First let me say "Thank you" for all your help. I went under my truck today an check the lines on the ESOF. One of my lines were disconnected. I hook it back up and everything started to work. My floor heat does not turn into defrost and all my wheels started to work. I went on a street with snow and worked the switch just too make sure. Man what a big difference.

Another question. When I was checking the lines I notice that the tubes are rubber an it connects to smaller thin plastic tubes. The plastic tubes are also covered with a plastic sleeve. The connection of the plastic tubes in only on the center against the frame from left to right. Could I change those plastic tubes and make it all rubber with the correct connection? Or would it change the vaccum pressure if I do this. It was just weird to see a larger tube size going into a smaller plastic tube. Also like mention to Steve_250 would it be better to change the rubber tube too stainless steel.

Thanks
 
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