automatic locking hubs will not engage
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Joined: Apr 2007
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automatic locking hubs will not engage
Hello, to all the pro's. I just bought a 1994 4x4 F150 it has 2 buttons on dashboard one says 4x4, the other says low range. I put the truck in neutral push the 4x4 button and it makes a clicking sound (like its trying to engage) the light beside the button blinks, but does not stay on. I then proceed to put in drive and no 4wd. PLease Help, which way should i look?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
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From: Sesser Il
Hello,
I am by no means a pro, but your problem isn't the automatic hubs, it is the electric actuator motor on the transfer case. The clicking is the relays trying to activate it, that is why the lights on the buttons flash then goes out.. I had the same trouble on a 94 Bronco I had. The actuators are notorious about hanging up. I would have to tap on mine every once in a while as another person would activate the button, and it would work until it decided to hang up again. I was always going to replace it but I traded the Bronco off before I did. The transfer case has to shift into either 4 hi or 4 lo to spin the front drive shaft and axles to engage the auto hubs. Hope this helps, you can probably do a search on here and find more info.
TC
I am by no means a pro, but your problem isn't the automatic hubs, it is the electric actuator motor on the transfer case. The clicking is the relays trying to activate it, that is why the lights on the buttons flash then goes out.. I had the same trouble on a 94 Bronco I had. The actuators are notorious about hanging up. I would have to tap on mine every once in a while as another person would activate the button, and it would work until it decided to hang up again. I was always going to replace it but I traded the Bronco off before I did. The transfer case has to shift into either 4 hi or 4 lo to spin the front drive shaft and axles to engage the auto hubs. Hope this helps, you can probably do a search on here and find more info.
TC
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,069
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From: Toledo, Ohio
I agree with TC-Countryboy. Those are the most common thing to go wrong with the transfer cases and the cause of it not going into 4X4.
I just worked on one of these in school. The good news is its simple... Theres like 3 bolts and a plug (with a speed sensor attached, not sure if thats gonna all be one piece) and the actuator comes off.
I just worked on one of these in school. The good news is its simple... Theres like 3 bolts and a plug (with a speed sensor attached, not sure if thats gonna all be one piece) and the actuator comes off.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 261
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From: Mason Michigan
Even so I would still recommend getting manual lock outs.The automatic hubs are junk reguardless,and a push button t-case and automatic hubs quite possibly the worst combo to have in a ford truck.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2007
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I dont need 4wd often, just when the weather gets bad. So as long as i can push the button and it engages that will be good enough. Also i am not mechanicly inclined enough to do a transfer case and hub swap. not to mention the cost of that endeavor.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Unfortunately the 4wd system only stops working when you need to use it.
The electric transfer case is so-so in terms of reliability. You should definitely exercise it weekly, that will help keeps things lubricated and also tell you if there is a problem. The automatic hubs however are completely unreliable. If you want any semblance of reliability you need to get rid of them and switch to manual hubs.
The electric transfer case is so-so in terms of reliability. You should definitely exercise it weekly, that will help keeps things lubricated and also tell you if there is a problem. The automatic hubs however are completely unreliable. If you want any semblance of reliability you need to get rid of them and switch to manual hubs.
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