VTX1800N1

Change it. In fact, drain, fill, and drive it and drain and fill again. It should be a translucent ruby red.

sjwelds

How thick should it be? This stuff wasn't much thicker than water...

sjwelds

Do you really think this could be the cause of all my issues? An honest question, no sarcasm. I don't know a whole lot about this sort of thing...
Thanks again, you've been a great help.

VTX1800N1

It's possible. Things like this are difficult to diagnose remotely. From your description, the fluid is in pretty bad shape and needs to be changed anyway. It's possible that internal components have also been damaged.

You could try removing the TCM and use a screwdriver to manually shift the TC into 2WD. You can then switch the dash selector from 4Hi to 2Hi and back and see if the TCM is functioning.

sjwelds

One more thing: I was under the truck and had a buddy of mine switching it back and forth. I couldn't hear any clicking or humming or anything happening with the motor. So does that mean that the clutch inside the tcase is froze up and therefore since it doesn't unlock, the pcm doesn't tell the tcase motor to move?

If the above is the case, will turning the motor shaft manually unlock it? Or will I not be able to turn the shaft if the clutch is froze up?

Just brain-storming here. Don't have time to do anything till Saturday. Thanks again

Vapor_Trails

Funny this thread took a turn to transmission issues. A couple of days after my last post my transmission gave out. At first I thought it was the retainer clip issue. But, I lost third gear too, and there was a horrible whining noise in first and second. And it kept slipping in and out of second on my way home and then a few days later to the transmission shop. I should get it back today or tomorrow. Rebuild. $1875. Ouch.

Then I’ll have a look at the actuators. Before the tranny went bad I went to a dirt lot and ran the truck through the gears in both 4hi & 4lo. It had no problem with the engagement/disengagement of the transfer case. I’m reasonably confident my left side hub actuator went bad. I’ll check for vacuum leaks first but I expect to be ordering the actuators this weekend.

Thanks VTX for all your help with everyone on this board.

Daniel Pettway

Great post!! I would still be completely lost without.

I am having a problem that I can't quite figure out the next step for.

I started getting the "ractheting" noise today. After reading the beginning of this thread I decided to go out and give the tests a try. I lifted the passenger front tire off the ground. When I spun the tire the half shaft didn't move at all (tire spun freely). Took off the double vacuum hose and there was no noise. This was all with the engine off and in 2WD.
I then lifted the driver side front. With the engine off and switch in 2WD the half shaft moved with tire. I then started the truck and left it in 2WD and spun the tire again. The half shaft still spun with the tire. I don't have a vacuum line tester but plan on getting one soon.

Does it sound like the solenoid is bad? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

VTX1800N1

No, it sounds like your passenger side IWE is bad. Remove and inspect both that IWE and the hub.

Daniel Pettway

Thanks for the reply. If i do need to order a new IWE would this be a good one to order??

VTX1800N1

I'd avoid anything Dorman. Stick with Motorcraft. Try Tasca parts online.