Hello guys,
Been awhile since I've been on here. I'm having an issue with my 4wd on my 2000 F-150. I'm not a certified mechanic, just a shade tree with minimal experience with 4wd's. I went through the process of making sure my solenoids worked and were getting power, putting out vacuum to the actuator, etc. I, at first thought the actuator was bad, so I replaced it. Still no luck. So, I went forward with checking the shift fork (the hard way) by removing the axle housing (??) and doing a visual check, all intact and working. I'm at a loss now. Could it be the actual front diff/chunk? If so, how can I check that before going into it or is that an option?

 

Does front driveshaft turn ?

Esof or manual? Ie, how do you know your transfer case is actually in 4-wheel drive?

 

ESOF. I have no clue if the transfer case is actually engaged or not. I assumed, that if the solenoid was sending vacuum to the actuator, that is was. Also, when I turn the switch (****) to 4H, I hear a clicking noise. When I turn it to 4L, I feel and hear a clunking noise like it engaged.

 

Also, I have not checked to see if drive shaft turns. When I had the actuator off (removed), I manually engaged the shift fork. I could spin the passenger axle while the driver side tire was resting on ground. Should I be able to do this?

 

Thats a good sign, your probably not having tcase shift issue. Shift motor fails commonly.

 

You can feel i actuator engages.

Sure the plastic pads are still on shift fork ears? Common problem, break off and no engage.

 

So you think it may be the shift motor? Is there a way to test this without removing from vehicle?

 

Yes, I actually removed the shaft housing on the passenger side and had a visual of both plastic ears. Also, manually operated the actuator arm to move the shift fork and it moves like it operates normally.

 

I wasn't able to reinstall shaft housing last night as the rain prevented it. I'll try to do this tonight.

 

Not if you get a clunking sound when you flip it four-wheel drive that would be the shift motor Shifting the transfer case.

If the dash light turns on and says 4 by 4 high and low Etc, then the shift motor would be working right because it has position feedback to talk to the gem. When it fails typically it loses position and the system freezes....... No four by four lights on dash. You might still hear a relay clicking the dash but your transfer casen doesn't go clunk.

The gem controls the shift into 4 wheel drive so it can safely shift on the Fly. Sometimes an inoperative or wet gem leads to 4 by 4 failure.