ProZach

Got the part today for $32.41 including tax and decided to install it. Thought I would do a write up for those curious about what the part looks like. The part number for those having a hard time conveying to the dealers what you need is as follows, this is everything listed on the bottom of my box:
“ONE
CX-2117
6L3Z-9E441-A
Valve”
Here’s the box it came in.

Here’s the old part

Here’s the new part

Here’s what you’ll need to do this
8mm socket
10mm long socket
Optional flat head screw driver
10 minutes if you have an extended 10mm socket otherwise you’ll run around for 30 min like I did trying to find one and end up working with what you got.
First thing to do is pop the hood,
Next look to your battery, you’ll want to remove it for this operation so that you can reach nuts that need to be unscrewed. This is done by unbolting the 8mm nut on the negative cable, then the positive cable, and then the retainer nut at the base of the baterry. After all three have been unbolted slide the battery cover off and remove the battery as well, it could be a little more convenient to unbolt the pan but that’s up to you, I personally chose not to.
Here’s what the pan looks like with the battery and cover gone.

Next you’re going to want to locate the solenoid which is right next to the battery against the passenger side firewall. Use your flathead or girlish fingernails to unclip this.


Now firmly grasp the vacuum lines and slide them off. Both lines come off together.

Next remove the two 10mm nuts that are holding the assembly in, it should look like this.

Now to install do exactly as done earlier but in reverse. Tighten the two nuts.

Plug in the vacuum line
Plug in the electrical connector

Install the battery
Congratulations you have now installed a $32.41 part that can save you $1000s in 4x4 repairs down the road but should have been installed when it came from the factory.

ol_blue

first off i just want to thank you for posting such detailed instructions. i had read about this issue but was not aware that my truck (an 06) did not have the cover. after looking at these, i think i will order the part and get out the wrenches. high quality **** man, thanks

ProZach

haha no problem man, I was kinda frustrated when I heard about this huge problem but didn't even know what the part looked like, so after searching for a long time I found it and figured I would post it to save someone else the trouble

ol_blue

hey is that your ebay listing for this part? i figured it was you selling it because its the exact same picture as one of the ones above. if so, how much would you sell it for, shipped and everything

ProZach

same picture as what?
do you have the link for the listing?
no i'm not selling it, its pretty "cheap" considering you're getting it from a dealership for $32.41 though so it's not too bad.
but no. i'm not selling it

ol_blue

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...Q5fAccessories

haha i guess someone just jacked you picture? but no your right its not expensive, i just thought maybe you had an extra or something, so i figured i take it off your hands. but buying it from the dealer would be easier. still funny though

ProZach

thats messed up, i should be getting money for that if the guy is too lazy to do it himself.
oh well, and yeah I don't know why they would take my pic or why they have an "extra" bu damn! $75? thats highway robbery compared to getting it at the stealership, hell I could get two for that

exfirefighter

i was just woundering about that solenoid i have two of them. can u tell me what the two are for. the ford dealer told me the motor on the trans case was bad so i changed it an still no 4 wheel drive could those be my problem. any help would be appreciated
2003 fx4 4x4

ProZach

I believe this was only an issue with the 04-08 motors.
unless its for full time 4x4 and 4x4 low I'm not quite sure why you would have two. If the light for 4x4 doesn't come on and you hear a grinding noise when you're driving then it could be the problem. But like I said, I thought it was only for 04-08s.

gtstang02

I had to change mine as well. I did not remove the battery though. I actually had no idea mine was bad. I went to service my front diff fluid and noticed it had a good bit of wear(odd considering it is not used often). I got my wife to put the truck in drive and pull forward and reverse. The front cv axles and driveshaft were spinning with it in 2wd. I changed the IWE solenoid. Now it works like it should. There is no telling how long I drove with the 4wd assembly spinning going hwy speeds.