F150-ATV

Hello all, Just signed up here. Well after saving up for years I finally bought my first truck in the fall. (Everyone says its to big for me bc I'm still a teenager but I like BIG lol). Well I already had a new right side manifold replaced, as well as the oil pan at a local shop. I also did the shocks as they were both busted at my work. (I work at a tire/small automotive shop). Well finally it snowed here and I was having fun and got stuck. I went to put it in 4x4 high and I noticed the front wheels weren't engaging. 4x4 low did the same. The lights come on, and I hear the click when I put it on. The wheels just don't engage. Also my switch to put it in 4x4 is a little messed up and it can shift all the way around. 4x4 did work when I bought it. Never needed it since.

Hope to get a few starter points. Thank you.

live2hunt-hunt2live

Well I'm another young guy with an 04 f150 4x4! And I had to work on mine as well, first of all as I understand it these trucks use vacuum to keep the front hubs disengaged for 2wd, then u switch to 4x4 and it removes the vacuum and the hubs are locked in. (I know there are plenty of others on here tht know much more about it and know more technical terms!)
Does your 4x4 light come on the dash when u switch to 4x4?

F150-ATV

Yes the lights do come on. I was thinking vacum as the reason you mentioned. I wish it wasn't as cold out so I could check.

live2hunt-hunt2live

Well I don't blame u cuz it's winds chill of-2 here. U Shud probably check the shift motor on the transfer case to see if it is actually shifting it or if maybe the shift motor is bad or possibly a vacuum leak. If u use the search feature on this forum and type in IWE system I think u Shud b able to find some really good write ups

vintageman

There are tons of threads here about 4x4 troubleshooting, I would start there. On the first page of this forum is a thread that says "Look here First", great place to start. If there is no noise, I would suggest the solenoid on the firewall by the battery. The new ones have a rain shield over them as an upgrade. If yours does not, and if it is still good, I would still think about changing that one out. Read the troubleshooting guide and you should be good, let us know if you still cannot figure it out. Good luck and how about posting some pics so we know what your truck looks like. Welcome to the forum.

F150-ATV

The vacuum does have suction.

Mattloz

Check your actuators or your silinoid that's behind the battery in the engine bay you can buy a vacuum pump for like 20 bucks and if there is vacuum holding and still dosent engage it the actuators if you apply vacuum and losses it's a hose or something and if it hold vaccume and it engages it's the silinoid ( do the vaccume from the connections in the engine bay as that was controls both acctuators and if it all works out good it could be the t-case and I'm also 18 if you need mor clarification let me know

F150-ATV

Could the switch be broke? If you can see the direction its pointing.

F150-ATV

And my truck.. Needs a washing

F150-ATV

I will look over it. Good to see other teenagers with trucks.