"4x4 Temporarily Disabled"
 

2016 F150 Lariat FX4. During this last snow storm I was using the 4x4 for the first time. I put it in 4H and it seemed to work OK for a couple seconds but when I actually needed the extra front traction it would disengage and a message would rear "4x4 temporarily disabled" and it would never re-engage untill I turn the 4x4 off. Then it would read "4x4 restored." the manual says it will disable itself when it overheats but there's no way it is overheated because it disables the second i need it. It also seems to work OK while driving with traction but as soon as I start spinning it disables. I can not find anything about this on Google or the forums. If anybody has had experience with this I would appreciate some feedback on what it could possibly be.

I don't have an answer but will state that all owners of 4x4 should engage it every once in a while so as to keep the parts moving that engages the system.

Thanks, I agree but I just bought this truck about 1 month ago. So I don't know what kind of hell it has been through, it's been nothing but problems so far.

Thanks I'll try that, the used car dealership but a new transfer case in it after I bought it under a 30 day warranty due to bad shuddering and sounds during acceleration. I'm sure it is a remanned unit. On my dash it has the feature where it shows a live graph or reading of which tires the power is being divided to at any given time, and it does show that my front wheels are getting power. But I'm sure that's not a reliable way of telling. There were 2 times yesterday where I shifted to 4h on the fly at maybe 5mpg and NOT accelerating, when it shifted it made a real loud bang under my seat. After that the 4x4 worked for a few minutes but then disengaged

Another thing is after I bought the truck I noticed mud crammed inside the frame like it's been sunken in mud at one point. So I'm afraid water and junk got inside the front diff vent. It also had a front axle leak. So, if the gear oil is either dirty/watered down or low from leaking could that be what is causing it to "overheat" so quickly and trip the warning light for "4x4 Temporarily Disabled" ? Or is that just wishful thinking for an easy fix. I thought I was getting a good deal on this truck because the body, inside and engine looks wonderful but I think whoever owned this thing beat the piss out of it and did not worry about any maintenance.

Always try to be moving forward when shifting into 4H mode.

OK thanks, I did not know that. Although I do get the 4x4 temporarily disabled message weather Im in 4h 4l or 4 auto. Crazy thing is that I cannot find one other person on the Internet with an f150 who has gotten the same message. The only thing online is can find is someone with an escape getting the same message but noone had any solution or ideas.

Again, to remind everyone when I shift into 4x4 it seems to work fine until I get to an icy patch and as soon as tires start spinning is when it disables itself.