Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

4WD doesn't engage.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #1  
nifty350's Avatar
nifty350
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Wa
4WD doesn't engage.

During a recent snow ( 6 to 8 " ) I got stuck in my own driveway. Then I realize the 4WD is not working. The hubs have been set on "Auto" for quite a while and in the past all I have done is turn the selector switch to the position I need and 4WD is activated. Tried hi and low range but could not get the front wheels to hook up. Tried repositioning the hubs to manual. Could not turn them by hand. Later after digging out, I backed the truck up for a city block while turning the wheel back and forth. No help. Hubs still frozen in the auto position. The book says that the amber light (4WD)will illuminate when the switch is placed in the high 4WD position, which it does but when switching to low 4WD no lights come on. Should have " low range " light according to the book. I hear a relay or solenoid clicking somewhere when the switch is moved from off to 4WD. This truck barely has 40k on it and I have already replaced the transmission ( out of warranty ) and now am concerned this may be another big expense. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Marv
 
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2009 | 10:24 PM
  #2  
texastech_diesel's Avatar
texastech_diesel
Token Redneck
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 343
From: Breckenridge, TX
Club FTE Silver Member

It's pretty common on the SDs to have the hubs fail. What year is it? If its pre-2004, you toss in Warns and you're set forever. If its after that, you have to replace the autos, then do some work in the engine bay, but end up with the same result: manual hubs. There are some threads in the first few pages of the SD forum that talk about this exact situation.

Are you putting the tranny in neutral before you shift to 4Lo? That would help.

Welcome to FTE bud Just in general, the more details you give, the more people can help you, and searching old posts before you ask a question can help you nail down a more specific topic, or even get you an answer faster. And keeping the thread title specific helps people crusing the boards find topics they can help on. Rock on, hang around, and lets get your problems solved
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2009 | 03:14 PM
  #3  
nifty350's Avatar
nifty350
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Wa
Bryan, thanks for the reply. Being new to this forum I mistakenly thought that if I have all the truck particulars listed with this forum in my preferences that they would automatically appear when I do a reply or post. Anyway, 1999 350 Lariat V10 with no modifications except a K&N Filter. I use this truck mostly to pull a 27' travel trailer. And yes the few times I have used 4WD I have been stopped when I select Hi or LO in either neutral or park. Are you saying that if I can't budge the hub selector on the wheels that they must be replaced? I am retired and don't have a lot of money to spend on this truck after the nearly 3K$ I spent replacing the tranny. Any thoughts you have about the wording for the title of this thread would be helpful. I just wrote what it is doing, "does not engage".

Thanks again, Marv
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2009 | 04:07 PM
  #4  
Monsta's Avatar
Monsta
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Club FTE Silver Member

Aloha Marv,

In this particular case search is your friend. You'll be reading for days!

But to answer some of your specific questions:

You can sometimes use WD-40 (or similar) and spray it inside the edge of the selector you are trying to turn. This can free up the selector sometimes. It has worked for me in the past.

I would search for something like "transfer case relays" so that you can find, inspect and test your relays.

I would also look at this site to show how YOU can repair/service your hubs It'll save you a bundle! Welcome to guzzle's Ford PSD Maintenance Web Page

And, like Bryan was telling you, make sure your are in Neutral & your foot on the brake to go into 4LO.

Sounds like your biggest concern is the hubs not actuating. You'll find that there are a number things that can contribute to that. Broken vacuum line, pump bad, bad seal in the hub etc. etc. Get the manual selector turning and you should be good until summer so that you can tear into it.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dante827
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Nov 14, 2016 08:26 AM
aramirez
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Jan 23, 2016 11:23 PM
Bowie
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Jul 1, 2014 07:10 AM
Frankievespa
Excursion - King of SUVs
4
Jan 30, 2011 08:48 AM
salty
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
15
Jun 24, 2009 07:53 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE