I have a 2006 f150 with nonworking esof 4x4. Turning the dial on the dash does absolutely nothing. No lights on dash, no sounds from anything engaging. No difference in driving.

Scanning on forscan shows:

p1867 - transmission transfer case contact plate general circuit failure

p1853 - transmission transfer case contact plate 'B' short circuit to ground

u1900 - can communication bus fault - receive error
(4x4 control module)

c1979 - iwe solenoid circuit failure

if anyone has any advice on where to start I would appreciate it. The guy I bought the truck from said it needs a new iwe solenoid but I'm not sure thats the only issue going on here.
It seems like the computer isn't telling the truck to engage 4x4. I'm sure some electrical problems are going on here, just not sure where to look first. Thanks.

 

Step 1 check any fuses related to 4x4, then check the condition of the connector at the transfer case. Last but not least check ground terminals near kick panels and under hood for condition and properly secure.

 

You need a new transfer case shift motor
Those contacts in the plate, when malfunctioning, will not allow a shift
They sell contact plates these days separately
Never replaced one, I just get NEW motors with NEW contact plates
Those motors used to be 400 bucks from Ford
Now that they are around 125 and everybody has them, that's better
I get new Spicer ones from my DANA supplier and bypass Ford and the parts houses

 

Roger manic. Replaced shift motor on my 2004 and solved my similar problem.

 

So, I ended up fixing the shift motor using the tsb for p1867. Also replaced the iwe solenoid which was definitely bad. Threw it in 4hi and light on dash came on so I left it at that and assumed it's fixed. Didn't try 4lo since I was on pavement. Now yesterday I try to shift into 4lo (in neutral/foot on brake) and nothing happens. Goes into 4hi and you can hear motor and solenoid working but switching into 4lo the dash light doesn't change from 4x4hi and motor doesn't move. Still wondering if it has something to do with the 'U1900 can bus 4x4 control module' code and since I have brake and abs lights on on the dash... Any thoughts welcome.

 

were the brake and abs lights on prior to the new shift motor install ? what other DTC's are you pulling ?

 

Yep those lights have been on for a while and stay on. Which now I know probably blocks 4x4 engagement even if it could work. Never really questioned it since it didn't seem to affect anything up until now. Now I'm also realizing that forscan isn't finding a ton of modules that it should. So I'm assuming there are abs codes but it never connects to the abs module. I'd imagine it's something to do with my forscan configurations or my vlinker adapter rather than those modules not having communication. I am pulling two can bus codes for 4x4 control module and instrument cluster however so I'm not too sure. I'll try to mess around with forscan and see what I can do.

 

does the 4 lo light come on during start up ?

 

I wouldn't even worry about the 4lo, I haven't touched my 4lo since getting the truck and honestly im kind of scared its going to just blow up my entire front end if I do (I know this isn't a thing). 4hi will be plenty for any and everything you do. Also on a somewhat related note, these trucks are safe to pop into 4hi when going 50mph or below correct?

 

4lo light does come on during startup. I do agree that 4hi should be good enough but I'm not even sure it is actually going into 4hi. I drove it around when I had 4hi on but couldn't tell if i noticed a difference. I know you can drive in a tight circle and feel a difference so I'll have to try that. And yes you're correct with the 4hi shifting while driving.