4x4 not working
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New User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
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4x4 not working
Hey guys. I have an Excursion and I am having issues with the electric 4x4. You can hear it and feel the klunk of the transfer case shifting but I can't get the front hubs to engage. I heard of some kind of switch in the engine compartment that is known to go bad but not sure even where to start to look. Any help would be appriciated. It' still the best deal I ever got. Thanks.
Scott
Scott
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 2
From: Summit, MS
Or just get out and lock the stockers if that still works. Cheaper than replacing.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
First off, Welcome to the FTE family!
The ESOF hubs are run off a vacuum system, or you go out and manually lock them in before hitting the switch. When the vacuum system goes faulty it defaults to the defrost position so a quick check inside will help to see if it is vacuum related.
Many have changed the hubs to warn or mile marker or just maintain the stockers well. Here is the site that we use for that. It also has a few other items on it that are useful.
http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php
The ESOF hubs are run off a vacuum system, or you go out and manually lock them in before hitting the switch. When the vacuum system goes faulty it defaults to the defrost position so a quick check inside will help to see if it is vacuum related.
Many have changed the hubs to warn or mile marker or just maintain the stockers well. Here is the site that we use for that. It also has a few other items on it that are useful.
http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/index.php
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I takes a little maintenance to keep them working good but it is worth it to me. Some people opt for the manual ones but they are just spending more money and giving up convenience. 
I know you like the Warns and that's great if it floats your boat.
I know you like the Warns and that's great if it floats your boat.
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Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
At 151,000 my stock ESOF still working great.
1) Check vac lines to wheel hubs from the chassy at the front wheel well
If the a/c is on and air comming out of dash vents switch to 4wd. If the air switches to the defoger you have a vac leak.
2) If the manual lock works you can be sure you have a system issue
Check the superduty section I covered a lot of this there. It really is a simple system.
You can switch to manual hubs, my son runs them on his F250. Guess I am old school I really like the esof where I don't have to get out. But then my son has the grandson
to hop out and throw the switch.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
There are many threads that you can read to help you with a step-by-step diagnosis.
You should start a new thread and give a bit more details about the problem and the solutions you've tried already.
You should start a new thread and give a bit more details about the problem and the solutions you've tried already.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
When they are working correctly the ESOF hubs are great. and is theory its a very simple system that pushes in the locking mechanism. it duplicate the manual action of turning the hub lock. this is unlike some hubs that lock and unlock based on torque and load etc. with a proper functiong ESOF the hubs will always be locked just like you turned the **** manually
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
When they are working correctly the ESOF hubs are great. and is theory its a very simple system that pushes in the locking mechanism. it duplicate the manual action of turning the hub lock. this is unlike some hubs that lock and unlock based on torque and load etc. with a proper functiong ESOF the hubs will always be locked just like you turned the **** manually