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

4x4 not working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 05:58 PM
  #1  
davew70's Avatar
davew70
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
4x4 not working

I have a problem with my 2002 f250 5.4l. I was hunting the other day and dropped my truck in a deep mud hole. I thought not a problem put it in 4x4 and go on. Turned 4x4 switch to 4wh high and had nothing light didn't come on, tryed 4wh low and still nothing. Checked all my fuses found one bad ( # 38 ) diagram reads this is for towing lights. Is there any thing i can check befor getting into my transfer case and if not what should i look for when i get into it? I don't think this has any thing to do with my problem but my brake switch whitch lets me shift out of park is bad starting truck in N for last month, and when i replaced fuse #38 my parking light stay on. Need help be for the big snow hits
Thanks Dave
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 07:37 PM
  #2  
ReAX's Avatar
ReAX
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I take it you have ESOF, so I would start with the vacuum lines. I inspected my lines while I had the tires off today and one was split, not enough to cause failure, but it would have soon.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 08:46 PM
  #3  
davew70's Avatar
davew70
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I will check them in the morning and let you know
thank you
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 09:02 PM
  #4  
ReAX's Avatar
ReAX
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
When you pull one off, you should hear a very slight hiss as the vacuum is released.

Then if those are good, it's time to look towards the x-case. Me being me, I would climb under it and try to listen for the motor moving. It might require someone behind the wheel switching back and forth while bumping the steering wheel r/l. If I heard it, then I would jack up the front end and see if it's making full engagement, if I didn't, then I would start checking for power in the harness. Oh yeah, Welcome to the fold.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 09:22 PM
  #5  
redford's Avatar
redford
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
How do you know your 4WD system didn't engage?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2009 | 11:14 PM
  #6  
hamster's Avatar
hamster
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Hudsonville, MI
I got lucky with mine recently, had the same problem.

I have not been very good about locking things in over the summer and my lockouts were not moveable by hand. I set aside a Saturday afternoon and planned on tearing them down for repairs. After finding one would almost move by hand as I started taking it apart, I grabbed a pliers and a can of silicone and sprayed around it, worked it, sprayed and worked it, etc...

After I got it to move easily I went to the other side and did the same. After getting both of them to work easy by hand again it autolocks again like it's supposed to and goes into low again. Fortunetly I got this figured out before we got the big snow.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2009 | 10:55 PM
  #7  
davew70's Avatar
davew70
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
thanks ReAX i will check this in the morning, had to do christmas shopping today so didn't get a chance to look at it.
redford when i was in the mud hole after switching to 4h rolled the window down seen the front was not turning had a buddy look at the other side was not turning. I tryed locking my hubs in to see if this would help still had no 4x4.
thanks
dave
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 06:42 AM
  #8  
wideglidewoody00's Avatar
wideglidewoody00
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
If the 4x4 dash light usually works and is not on, I would start by checking to see if the motor on the transfer case is working. Are you getting power to the transfer case, if not then work your way back checking the relays under the hood, fuses, bad connections. With the locking hubs you have to be moving a little bit to engage them.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 07:58 AM
  #9  
rocknrotty's Avatar
rocknrotty
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Did you try manually locking hubs if that works then most likely vacuum prob. Mine froze up last winter would work in shop when warm as soon as i took it outside they would stop working in auto.
-R-
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:10 AM
  #10  
jmullenstagerigger's Avatar
jmullenstagerigger
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
reading your problem, i assume you have an electronic 4wd shift switch on the dashboard, much like my 1999 f250 fwd had. i had a similar mishap in a mud hole, stuck with no 4wd, mine did light up but no 4wd, as luck would have it it was the electric shift motor on the transfer case, and my truck was realatively new at the time. my point, if this is the electronic shift on the fly such as mine was, i would go back to basics, checking the wiring, and especially something as simple as a good ground! put a test light on the wires going into the shift motor and have someone cycle the switch, see if you are getting power to that point, and of course check the ground! might be as simple as that, at most it could be a bad electric shift motor, your statement that it didnt light up on the dash as in 4wd prompts me to think its a wiring problem!
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:29 AM
  #11  
rmilchman's Avatar
rmilchman
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Robbinsville NJ
Turn your heat on so it blows out of the floor full blast. Try turning on 4X4, if the airflow moves to the defroster you have a vacuum leak.
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2009 | 11:26 PM
  #12  
davew70's Avatar
davew70
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
vacuum looks good. anyone know what pins on transfer case plug i should check for power or where i could download it from. this site is a life and money saver!
thanks all
dave
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2009 | 12:52 AM
  #13  
redford's Avatar
redford
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
Did the 4H indicator come on? If so, the motor most likely shifted the transfer case.
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2009 | 05:26 AM
  #14  
m350's Avatar
m350
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
Everytime I read one of these,,,"4x4 Not Working" threads,,,,I really appreciate the Fact that FORD gives us a choice,,,,,the Easy(Lazy) seemingly,,,always troubled ESOF 4x4 system,,,which will let it's owners down at some point in "Ownership" of the truck,,,But Has also quietly retained the one 4x4 system that works all the time,,,and can be ordered on any SuperDuty truck,,,,,,the tried and true "Manual Hubs and Transfere Case" 4x4 system,,,,Just like the one in my 06' F-350 !!
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2009 | 05:43 PM
  #15  
davew70's Avatar
davew70
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by redford
Did the 4H indicator come on? If so, the motor most likely shifted the transfer case.
no, indicator light wil not come on. Can i pull the electric plug on transfer case and check power there? If no power there has to be motor right?
thanks
Dave
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE