gwhowell

Okay, so I bought a 2006 f150 a year ago and the 4wd does not work. When I try to engage the 4wd I put my truck in neutral, and swap to 4 low or 4 high. In both 4 low and 4 high my trucks jumps, clanks, and I assume shifts into the lower gears. The lights in the dash also turn on signaling what I'm in. However, the front two tires do not lock in. Does anybody have any suggestions on what this might be or how I can trouble shoot it?

I'm sure there is a forum with this problem already but I could not find one.

Thank you for the help

techrep

iTrader: (1)

You have a IWE solenoid located on the firewall above the battery ...disconnect the vacuum line to it and see if your front wheels will engage...you need not stop the truck to switch to 4Hi...its a SOTF system. you do need to stop and put in "N" to engage 4Lo.
what we are checking here is the venting of vacuum from the IWE's...Vacuum keep's the hubs un-locked, if this vacuum will not release your hub's will never engage...what you are hearing is the transfer case engaging...which is good...need to troubleshoot the wheel end issue. could be the IWE solenoid or bad wheel ends. let us know what you find...

grss429

I'd replace the IWE solenoid on the firewall, with updated version, if that doesn't work its going to be IWE actuators

Aeromech

I also have a 2006 Lariat 4x4.

1) Raise the front wheels off the ground
2) Slide under and spin each wheel with the engine OFF
3) You 'should" see each drive axle turn along with each wheel. Do this to both sides.
4) If the axle doesn't turn you probably have a bad IWE which is a diaphram actuator operated by engine vacuum. With the engine off the actuators are "engaged".
5) Now start the engine and the front wheels should spin but not the axles.
6) If both sides are acting the same but wrong, it's probably your IWE solenoid which lives near the firewall by the battery. There is a new type now that doesn't suck water.
7) I had a lot of dirt in all my vacuum lines. You may want to check that and blow them clean.
8) Be careful not to put the engine in gear with the front end raised.

Bad IWE


Also, I used a hand held vacuum pump (mityvac) to test each IWE at the wheel. There are two ports, a vacuum and a return on each IWE actuator.

gwhowell

Thanks for the help, I will be trying to solve the problem this weekend with these tips and let y'all know what I find.

VTX1800N1

https://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-di...m-esof-186872/

OldMansTruck

Grab a rubber mallet and give the transfer case a few solid love taps. My 2006 did the same thing from lack of use by the previous owner.