4X4 not engaging NEED HELP!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL
4X4 not engaging NEED HELP!
Went outside this am, and went damn. We got 1-2 inches snow covered with some ice.
Well I needed to get to town so i started out headed n2 town. I live in the country 1 lane dirt rd out in country.
wel long story short I started out for town everything going well till i got to the hill. got about half way up truck comes to stop. i engage the 4x4 on the dash switch i begin to accelerate rear tires spin out and i go nowhere. hmmm i ask son to get out and lock hubs manually. done.
again i try to continue up the hill. nothing. i back down slowly well slide down in a controlled slide. at the bottom i turn the wheel fulll lock to left and accelerate forward. now normally i would feel feed back thru the steering if 4x4 engaged. nothing. turn right and nothing.
so what could be keeping the 4x4 from engaging? please by all means keep it simple as most will remember i am in a chair so i hope its something i can do from a chair or under the ride.
Well I needed to get to town so i started out headed n2 town. I live in the country 1 lane dirt rd out in country.
wel long story short I started out for town everything going well till i got to the hill. got about half way up truck comes to stop. i engage the 4x4 on the dash switch i begin to accelerate rear tires spin out and i go nowhere. hmmm i ask son to get out and lock hubs manually. done.
again i try to continue up the hill. nothing. i back down slowly well slide down in a controlled slide. at the bottom i turn the wheel fulll lock to left and accelerate forward. now normally i would feel feed back thru the steering if 4x4 engaged. nothing. turn right and nothing.
so what could be keeping the 4x4 from engaging? please by all means keep it simple as most will remember i am in a chair so i hope its something i can do from a chair or under the ride.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Does the 4x4 light light up on the dash?
Once you manually locked the hubs, did you switch it back to 2hi and then back to 4hi? Meaning: did you move the switch back and forth a few times?
Did you try it in neutral...just for the heck of it?
Did you try to put it in 4lo (neutral with foot on brake)?
When was the last time it worked for you?
Once you manually locked the hubs, did you switch it back to 2hi and then back to 4hi? Meaning: did you move the switch back and forth a few times?
Did you try it in neutral...just for the heck of it?
Did you try to put it in 4lo (neutral with foot on brake)?
When was the last time it worked for you?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 74
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From: Hampton Bays NY
Same thing on my 02....not the first time in it's 120K...last time was at about 60K or so.
Just took my transfercase's electric shift motor off...and tried it hanging with the 2 bundles hooked up..no dice. The 4X4 light is on....I think fooling with the manual hubs is also worthless as no power will get to them without going thru the transfercase.
I called around and the best case would be me getting one on Monday afternoon....the only problem is now we have about an inch of snow...tonight and tomorrow we MIGHT be getting another 16inches.
I'm half thinking of putting an adjustable wrench on the transfercase's shaft that the electric motor turns, i just don't know how much I really need to turn it.
Anyone have any ideas....the wife's Navigator works fine ***or so I think*** but I would like to have mine at least locked into 4X4 in case I need it.
Help?
Just took my transfercase's electric shift motor off...and tried it hanging with the 2 bundles hooked up..no dice. The 4X4 light is on....I think fooling with the manual hubs is also worthless as no power will get to them without going thru the transfercase.
I called around and the best case would be me getting one on Monday afternoon....the only problem is now we have about an inch of snow...tonight and tomorrow we MIGHT be getting another 16inches.
I'm half thinking of putting an adjustable wrench on the transfercase's shaft that the electric motor turns, i just don't know how much I really need to turn it.
Anyone have any ideas....the wife's Navigator works fine ***or so I think*** but I would like to have mine at least locked into 4X4 in case I need it.
Help?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, IL
I should have mentioned the 4x4 light on the dash is on when i turn the switch! I even tried putting in2 low range as described and no such luck. my fear is the shift motor as well for the transfer case. hope not. that i cannot do.
Any1 from peoria, il area able to help? would be appreciated and can give some but it is christmas and i am on limited income.
oh yeah, it worked last about 2-3 weks ago. not very far or long ago.
thanx Jay
Any1 from peoria, il area able to help? would be appreciated and can give some but it is christmas and i am on limited income.
oh yeah, it worked last about 2-3 weks ago. not very far or long ago.
thanx Jay
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
try tapping the shift motor with a hammer well somone switches the switch back and forth..its worth a shot.
i have a hub that didnt want to go in when in auto mode so my hubs have been locked for 2 months now and running in 4x4. i plan to throw some warn hubs on to hopfully fix my issue.
how often do you use your 4x4? they dont seem to like not getting used every once in awhile..
i have a hub that didnt want to go in when in auto mode so my hubs have been locked for 2 months now and running in 4x4. i plan to throw some warn hubs on to hopfully fix my issue.
how often do you use your 4x4? they dont seem to like not getting used every once in awhile..
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
You can hear the t-case motor working when you move the switch. If you can't hear it, it's shot (assuming no fuse blown, etc..) A new motor runs about $110. Not too bad and easy to install.
During the summer I periodically engage the 4x4 just to exercise the system. My 2001 has not problems (I do have Mile Marker hubs though) with 72k miles.
During the summer I periodically engage the 4x4 just to exercise the system. My 2001 has not problems (I do have Mile Marker hubs though) with 72k miles.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 857
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I replaced the vacuum hoses and connector nipples to my front hubs two years ago to fix it the first time. I'm going over to my local Ford dealer this morning to pick up my Ex after they installed new vacuum seals.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Let us know how much it was to replace those seals. I'll bet that it was much more than just going out and getting a set of Warn or Mile Marker hubs. Once installed, you'll never have a problem with the hubs again. The only component that could go bad is the t-case motor.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 1
From: Wyandotte, Michigan
I have my esof's looked at last week. I had new everything installed this past spring and thought it would work finally, nope! The mechanic said that I would have to have new axle shafts put on cause the current ones are rusty and won't seal. I would love to finally have a Ford where the auto hubs actually worked.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I have my esof's looked at last week. I had new everything installed this past spring and thought it would work finally, nope! The mechanic said that I would have to have new axle shafts put on cause the current ones are rusty and won't seal. I would love to finally have a Ford where the auto hubs actually worked.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 165
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Just get rid of the ESOF vacuum system by replacing the hubs with either Mile Marker or Warn units. You then can cap off the vacuum lines and disconnect the solenoid (so the system doesn't try to work). Your t-case switch in the dash will still do the job of engaging 4x4, you just have to manually lock the hubs. You can leave the hubs locked in and just use the switch on the dash when you want 4x4. I'm not sure why anyone would spend money on keeping the ESOF system (at least the vacuum part) working.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I would absolutely recommend for anyone who is having issues with the ESOF vacuum system to change their hubs. There is no reason to spend money on this faulty O.E. system (ford did modify it for the 2005 MY because of these issues). It is an easy modification and well worth it!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 1
From: Wyandotte, Michigan
Why would I change the hubs to put on manuals when the current ones do the same job? The auto doesn't work so when I need it I flip them over to lock. What advantage would changing them to Warns get me when the OE ones do that now?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
As soon as the OE units lock up and will not turn you'll know.... Also, have you ever taken apart the OE unit? PLASTIC!!! That's what it's made of!! Very poor quality IMO. Both the Warn and Mile Marker units are top notch quality, made of stainless steel and designed to last!!