Good day, I have a 1997 f150 4x4 and when I try to put the 4 wheel in it does not lock in. I can hear something clicking put I cant tell if the motor on the transfer case is working or not. How can I tell if the motor is working. And what to do to test it? I don't have a lot of money to throw at this but living out in the middle of a corn field I need the 4x4 to work. Kenny

 

Moved to 1997-2003.

 

I'm not sure about how to check the motor on the transfer case. However, this should tell you if it is the hubs or the transfer case giving you issues.


1. If you have locking hubs do this- If they are not controlled by vacuum, and you don't lock in the hubs than if you put the truck in a 4x4 position and it's on the ground than you should not be able to turn the shaft coming from the transfer case if the transfer case in engaged.


2. If they are vacuum controlled hubs than I would lift the truck, start it and put it in 4x4. With the truck in park, you should not be able to turn the shaft from the transfer case. Put the truck in neutral and turn the shaft from the transfer case and it should then turn the front wheels. The reason to lift it is because the hubs will lock and if it is on the ground you will be not be able to turn the shaft because the front wheels will keep it from turning and you won't know if it is the wheels or the transfer case that are keeping the shaft from spinning.




Hope that helps.

 

a '97 has neither vacuum hubs or locking hubs, it has a center disconnect axle which
probably has a broken shift fork. does the 4x4 light come on? if it does chances are
the motor and t-case are ok. if you can get all four wheels off the ground lift it, have someone inside start it, put it in 4x4, put it in gear and slowly release the brake, if the
front driveshaft spins it is not the t-case. there is a vacuum motor on the back side of the front axle on pass. side it will have a shield over it and 2 lines going to it, disconnect the lines and with a vacuum pump hooked to the motor/actuator apply vacuum, first to one port then the other while watching the rod to see if it moves, if
it moves with the truck in 2wd grab that front driveshaft (engine off) and see if the
front tires turn, if not apply vacuum to the other port and retest. if the rod moves
in and out and the axle does not lock in in either position the shift fork is broken,
the front axle has to be taken out of the truck and the shift fork kit replaced, no need
to take the diff cover off, you have to take the r. side axle shaft housing off (4 bolts)
make sure the shaft etc goes in the way it came apart.

 

Thanks for the information Greasyknuckles. I did not know about the center disconnect axle. Do you know what other years had that design? I fortunately didn't have any problems with the '97 I had, but that is how I troubleshot my 2000. Figured it may help him at least figure out if the transfer case was the problem or something else. I just figured that was similar for the other years as well. I'll research more if I haven't done that work on that year truck.

 

frankensteinf150, 1997-2003 and 2004 heritage f-150 had this style 4x4, the 2004 present
had the iwe or vacuum hubs and the 1996 and earlier had locking hubs either auto
or manual which ever way the truck was optioned out.