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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 08:06 PM
  #1  
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ESOF help needed...

So after going through a search, I didn't really find what I was looking for.

Here's my issue:

I noticed back in August after a heavy rain and needed the 4x4 that it no worky. Tried manually locking the hubs as well as automatically, it's a no go. Also tried a different switch with no luck. All fuses/relays are good, the pump and solenoid seem to be working properly. I DO NOT have a 4x4 or 4x4low dash light. Also checked the electrical plugs at the transfer case and they're both connected. Visual inspection of the lines appear fine.

I'm stumped... And need to get it figured out since we're already getting snow.

Thanks guys and gals.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 09:43 PM
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Not sure Ryan, thought manually locking your hubs were a garrantee they would lock. Was browsing on Ed's site and found this special he's running, take a look if this is your problem:: www.partsguyed.com
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:03 PM
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Sounds like the transfer case is not engaging. Hubs may be manually locked, but no power from the transfer case. I can usually hear my transfer case locking in when I turn the ****.
I usually lock the hubs manually and then get under the truck turn the front drivehaft, by hand, to see if they are truly locked on both sides.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:12 PM
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Could the dash switch go bad, manually locking the hubs should have worked.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:33 PM
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Same thing happened to my truck as well.

It was spring time and the snow was melting away causing many puddles to form on the road. And me, being the foolish one, had to hit the puddles. To my 'ignorance is bliss' attitude, I didn't think about the consequences until one day the transfer case had a mind of its one. It would engage randomly, until one day, not at all.

Enough of the story, back to the truck dilemma. The issue I had, was that the shift motor encoder and gotten water inside it since the gasket around it had failed. I bought a used electric shift motor and put new gaskets on everything this past weekend and its working flawlessly.

If I was a betting man, I would say shift encoder.

Edit: After re-reading your post, I'm 100%(none of this 99% stuff. If I am in the wrong, let me know) confident that its the encoder. And its probably easier getting a used shift motor than trying to find a encoder, trust me.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by distortedcloud
Same thing happened to my truck as well.

It was spring time and the snow was melting away causing many puddles to form on the road. And me, being the foolish one, had to hit the puddles. To my 'ignorance is bliss' attitude, I didn't think about the consequences until one day the transfer case had a mind of its one. It would engage randomly, until one day, not at all.

Enough of the story, back to the truck dilemma. The issue I had, was that the shift motor encoder and gotten water inside it since the gasket around it had failed. I bought a used electric shift motor and put new gaskets on everything this past weekend and its working flawlessly.

If I was a betting man, I would say shift encoder.

Edit: After re-reading your post, I'm 100%(none of this 99% stuff. If I am in the wrong, let me know) confident that its the encoder. And its probably easier getting a used shift motor than trying to find a encoder, trust me.
Thanks distorted. Did you have to buy a complete transfer case from a salvage yard to get the shift motor or what? What'd it cost you to repair?

Also, when your's was doing this, did you get any 4x4 lights on your instrument panel when turning the switch?

Like Roland stated, it's like I'm not getting power to the transfer case.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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You should be able to buy just the shift motor Ryan.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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Thanks Chase. I found several after doing a search on car - part dot com. Going to call on several out of Billings. Good price and close.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by strokersace
Thanks Chase. I found several after doing a search on car - part dot com. Going to call on several out of Billings. Good price and close.
If you don't get one from there, I think Spalding's in Spoko has a few Superdutys around. They are even advertising as getting a few "clunker" Superduty's in!
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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To answer some of your questions, I got no 4x4 lights on the dash when turning the switch and I just bought a used shift motor. Nothing wrong with the transfer case just the electric shift motor. I got it from a wrecker for $75 canadian(about $70 American).
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 09:24 PM
  #11  
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Thank you sir. Makin some calls tomorrow.

Did you have to remove the transfer case to change out the motor?
 
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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No, not at all. Just unplug the connectors and remove the three bolts(10mm if I remember correctly) that hold the motor in place(they may have loctite on them) and install the replacement. Takes 5 minutes and that includes looking for your tools.
 
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 10:31 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by distortedcloud
I bought a used electric shift motor and put new gaskets on everything this past weekend and its working flawlessly.
Do they make a specific gasket for this or just use RTV? I check with the parts dept. at the Ford dealership and they couldn't find a specific gasket. Asked the mechanics and they just use RTV. Any thoughts?

Got a used motor on it's way, should be here the first of next week.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 06:22 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by distortedcloud
I bought a used electric shift motor and put new gaskets on everything this past weekend and its working flawlessly.
Originally Posted by strokersace
Do they make a specific gasket for this or just use RTV? I check with the parts dept. at the Ford dealership and they couldn't find a specific gasket. Asked the mechanics and they just use RTV. Any thoughts?

Got a used motor on it's way, should be here the first of next week.
Got the shift motor today. Right around $70 from the salvage yard.

DC, did you have a specific gasket or did you just use RTV? Thanks!
 
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Old Oct 13, 2009 | 10:32 PM
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Sorry for the late reply. What I'm about to explain is kind of difficult. The thing that failed is the encoder. It is a sealed unit and held on by three torx bolts to the shift motor. Unplug it, remove the three bolts and off comes the encoder. Look at the backside(o-ring side), and around the perimeter is some white rtv gasket maker(best I could explain). This gasket dries out and fails. What I did was scrap the old gasket out, and install new silicone gasket. Let it set for a bit before re-installing. If this helps, let me know, if not, I'll try and rewrite it in greater detail.
 
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