GRH

I recently bought a used 05 F150 super cab with 50k miles. I was not aware of the IWE problem and found this page on a google search. I replaced the part tonight and everything works fine. I drove home in 4 wheel so I wouldn't make the problem any worse. I blew out the lines too and found some nasty stuff in them.
Thanks
Glenn

posttal

Funny you post this..I just pulled up a TSB on this today at work while doing some research reguarding why my 4x4 light wasn't coming on or would flicker.The only thing that came up was this vacuum solenoid.and to be honest I was going to ignore it because today the light is working fine..but its warmer and maybe if there was water in it it dried up?? But now that you confirm the TSB..and its a cheap fix..i'll be replacing it tomorrow.Heck I'v put a few grand into the sound system and other mods..I'm not gonna cheap out on an actual needed part.
Thanks for the info.

trial_nbc

Sorry, but what type of grinding and where is it located?

I own an 07' Supercrew, and i've notice a grinding noise in the front end when I take off from a stop. I figured it was just my brake pads sticking!

Anybody with some insight on my situation?

Thanks!

posttal

As I said yesterday I went to the dealer and bought a new updated vacuum solenoid.As as it was stated earlier you have to be careful..the first solenoid they gave me had no shield and was 50 bucks..its the right part but its the same as the stock part..and I'm sure it would fix the problem..temporarily.I told them I heard there was a updated one with a hood.He then came back with the same solenoid BUT with a hood over it..and it was only 22 dollars ??.go figure.Anyway I put it on..blew out the lines first..they were dry and I really didnt knoe if the O.E. one was even bad since my light started working again the other day...BUT...I looked at the factory solenoid and low and behold it was cracked and leaking rust.I'm posting a few pictures.Again thanks for all the info..if this were a pay site I would say it just paid for itself..seeing that its not I feel like I just got one heck of a deal.

CRACKED>>>

NEW PART INSTALLED>>>

B-rad59

So I just came across this thread tonight, and I read all about it. I just got my 05 Scab about a month ago so I'm on here all the time. So I put my shoes on and grabbed a flashlight and went outside to check. Sure enough I have the old one. I don't have any grinding sound but I'm stopping by the dealership tomorrow and replacing it tomorrow after work. Thanks for the info on this!

sigar150

I just had my truck serviced under warranty for the transfercase shift motor and the IWE solenoid. I checked to see which one I had and they installed the old style IWE solenoid. Go figure!!

sigar150

Picked the new style up at the dealership for $28.00 yesterday, quick and easy install. Nothing wrong with the old one.
We had a pretty good rain the night before, when I opened the hood to check which style I had, the water ran directly on top of the solenoid. So ya, I can see where there might be an issue with moisure getting in it.

wondering

This really is a great post. I just bought a 2006 supercrewwith 70,000 km and had only a blink of the 4x4 light when trying to engage it. With the truck lifted & engine running we checked the wheels while in 2wd by turning them by handand watching the axel & they were engaged. We then installed a new solenoid and tried again, switch in 2wd with engine running and this time the axiles didn't turn, the wheels not engaged. Then tried in 4 Hi & 4 Low, had proper indication on the dash and everything is working well.
Thanks for the heads up. Also I was lucky enough that there was no grinding noises or anything before I changed the solenoid so it looks like the damage was only at the solenoid.

60DRB

Strangely, this site is kind of behind the power curve on the IWE 4x4 issues.

In the "read this/links/info" section there is a post with some information. I'll try to post a couple other links here in a few minutes. The system isn't too hard to understand once you study it a little. None of the repairs are beyond and average amature mechanics abilities. The Ford shops are hit and miss at identifying and/or correctly making repairs, and they will charge you big$$ for stuff you can easily fix yourself. Wait, over....

60DRB

Try these out, and you will have a much clearer understandind of what's going on with your 4x4 system. These guys saved me over a thousand dollars in labor costs.


http://www.f150online.com/forums/2004-2008-f-150/360269-iwes-removal-replacing.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/836438-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-iwe-system-and-then-some.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/836438-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-iwe-system-and-then-some.html