I only use my four wheel drive in the winter. Anyway a few weeks ago when we got our first snowfall I tried putting it into four wheel drive and it wasn't working. The 4x4 HI light on the dash isn't coming on and the front wheels aren't locking into four wheel drive.

After researching four wheel drive issues in the 04-08 f150 trucks I seen there was an issue with the IWE solenoid. I went down to napa today and replaced that however it didn't fix the issue.

I looked in my manual and checked all fuses that had to do with the 4x4 system. All were good

I went down to napa and seen if they carried the two relays that are mounted on the driver side fender however they don't carry them.

A buddy of mine has a similar year truck and we took the 4x4 switch out of the dash of his truck and put it in mine, still no go. So that's not the issue.

Any ideas ? what possiblities could there be, actuator's, transfer case motor, vaccuum lines ..... any help I'd appreciate it.

 

The actual IWE's are a problem, they all wear out after a few years.

You can pull the vacuum line and check for suction (with the truck running). If you have suction then the IWE is shot. You can replace them yourself if you are handy. if no suction then it could be the rubber line has cracked.

https://smile.amazon.com/Dorman-600-...=ford+2004+iwe

this is where i'd start looking, then go from there... if they failed they actually stay locked in 4WD which leads me to think it might be something bigger.

 

Jack it up, try and spin the tire with the truck turned off. If the CV axle is spinning with the wheel (or trying to), the hub is working. Turn the truck on. Spin the tire again. If the tire then spins freely, vacuum is good, at least on that side. Try both sides. With the truck still on, engage 4H, Try and spin again and see if the CV axle is connected to the wheel again (it should be).

 

After some more trouble shooting, tracing lines to the hubs etc...

Got a buddy to hop in my truck and I got underneath it. Squeezed the electrical connections to the transfer case motor. Then took a hammer and started tapping as I was calling out to him to switch it into 4x4 high, after a few times I finally heard a click. He shouted out that the 4x4 hi light came on.

Took her outside and tested her out, she's working perfect again, switched it back and forth a couple times.

That made my night .... I was working up North for a couple years and it was sitting in storage so I guess something got a little seized in there.

 

Good deal. I was going to suggest looking into your actuator but you figured it out already.

 

I have a gravel driveway and like to hit 4x4 in it about once a month whether I need it or not, just to keep things moving

 

People forget to exercise their system.. I too pop it in 4WD once or twice a month.