Big Jerk
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The new guy
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 53
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From: Knoxville, TN
Big Jerk
I have a 1997 Ford F150 4x4 with a 4.6l 5 speed. Today while driving on flat ground in 3rd gear at around 30 mph the truck made a really short sharp JERK. It kept running fine after that, but the 4x4 light came on without my engaging 4x4. I parked and went on to church for about an hour or so, when I went to leave the light was off. It drove great all the way home.
I have never experienced a "jerk" like this. I thought I had hit something in the road. Felt like a boulder ran out in front of me, or I hit a huge speed bump.
Any ideas what it could be? I don't want to break down on a major highway going to work in the morning.
I have never experienced a "jerk" like this. I thought I had hit something in the road. Felt like a boulder ran out in front of me, or I hit a huge speed bump.
Any ideas what it could be? I don't want to break down on a major highway going to work in the morning.
Last edited by squirellman; Aug 21, 2011 at 09:23 PM. Reason: Typo
Thread Starter
The new guy
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
I really appreciate all the help I get from reading the post here so I thought I would post and update on my truck. The guy at the shop disconnected the 4x4 switch in an effort to isolate the issue. It still did the same thing. He then inspected the module behind the fuse panel and there were no issues. He couldn't get a code and the module never acted up. This has been going on for months now and we don't have a real solution. He thinks there may have been a bad connection somewhere and he may have fixed the issue without knowing it. He isn't going to charge me anything as he can't say for sure what was/is wrong. Anyone have any other ideas?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 6
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From: Boston
your 4x4 switch could have been activated from a different source on your truck. mine some times likes to be retarded and get stuck so i usually just slam Nuetral switch it on then off. but when mine randomly turns on its because i usually have a problem with my axel. ive gotten a new axel and it stopped finnaly. have them check your axel or something bcaz thats the first thing i suspected.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
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From: Maine
It sounds like you might have an issue with your transfer case or maybe your front differential. Might be worth checking the fluids in both making sure you do not see any pieces of metal or real fine metal in there. It is possible that a bad ground may have caused a surge or something like that, but i'd say highly unlikely. Hope this helps....