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4x4 switch question

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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 03:50 PM
  #1  
Hitman77's Avatar
Hitman77
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4x4 switch question

Ok here's the situation. Kids playing in truck the other day and one of them switched the 4x4 switch to 4 low truck not running. Drove it around town for a bit and came home and then noticed the switch. Just wondering what would happen to parts and stuff. Can't get the 4x4 to engage or light on dash doesn't come on. please help
truck is a 2000 f350 7.3L auto
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 04:01 PM
  #2  
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Duck Hunter81
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If 4x4 Low was engaged while driving, you would have known it really quick. Sounds to me like you have a problem with your 4x4 not engaging (maybe a fuse or bad switch).
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 04:06 PM
  #3  
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onelionhunter
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Fuses

I would start by verifying teh 4x4 fuses are OK.

If they are, on the side of the transfer case there is an electric motor, it has 2 wiring harnesses, I would take them off and clean with contact cleaner well and put some dialectic grease on them and replug in. Test it

If still not working, you can take that electric motor out with the harnesses attached and see if it is actually turning. It is easier to get out if you drop the skid plate, 4 10mm bolts and its out of the way. If it turns, it is probably OK, but may be getting weak. Since it is out, and turning, I would drain the xfer case and put some synthetic ATF in it, I used Mobil one, takes a little less than 3 quarts. After the fluid swap, put a 9/16 wrench on the stud sticking out of the xfer case where the motor was and click your xfer case from 2 hi, then 4 hi, then 4 low, then back, do that about 20 times or so to free it up.

I did end up replacing my motor a month or so ago, but even the new one would barely engage/disengage until I did the fluid and manual shifting routine.
 
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 04:58 PM
  #4  
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KH85
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Not too sure on this but........if it was switched into 4lo while off it would not engage. In order to get it into 4lo you have to have it in neutral with your foot on the brake. But if it wont go into 4hi than like said above you may have another issue. But id try this first and see if it will shift.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2010 | 08:43 AM
  #5  
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Duck Hunter81
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From: Wichita, KS
Even if the motor is bad or he didn't have it in neutral with the brake down to allow it to engage, doesn't the light come on? Is the dash light powered off the switch or the motor? This would help him know where to start.
 
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Old Sep 9, 2010 | 09:46 AM
  #6  
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onelionhunter
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From: Belgrade, MT
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Position

The dash light doesn't come on until the motor makes the shaft change positions in the T-case as far as I understand it.
 
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