rhicks20

Well, my repair was the solenoid, 40.00 and a couple hours labor. Fixed...now off to the dealer to trade up...thanks for the help...

trublu04xlt

Thanks a lot for this thread! Without being experienced on the ford 4x4 system, you guys saved me hours on diagnosing and troubleshooting the bad actuator.

lilbxl

Both my front wheels stay engaged with the truck off and with the truck running. Could a bad solenoid have anything to do with this or is it a IWE or vacuum problem? Also, my 4H and 4Low lights both come on during startup, but my 4H light will just blink when trying to engage into 4Hi. When going to 4Low the light on the dash stays lit up. Any thoughts?

VTX1800N1

My guess would be a bad IWE solenoid, but you need to get a vacuum gauge and test the system per the beginning of this thread.

lilbxl

Replaced the solenoid, works fine now. Only thing is solenoid didn't come with a rain shield. Parts guy said he was unaware of the shield. Anyone know where I can get just the rain shield?

VTX1800N1

I'd take it back. That's the old part, and your parts guy is FAR behind the times. Check Amazon or eBay. Without the hood, the new solenoid will just go bad again, like the first one did, as rain water gets on it.

marinemike0931

Ok... the main issues you listed aren't whats going on with mine. While in 2wd if I hit a bump... it sounds like my right front side is engaging but not fully. It makes a whinning noise (not grinding). When I put it in 4hi the whinning stops then I put it back in 2wd and its fine until the next hard bump... took it to the dealership nothing wrong. Went back a second time and the shop forman went for a ride with me a heard it. Said he had to call ford and see if the problem had been reported before because he didnt know what the problem was and he'd call me back to schedule an appointment with a fix (3 weeks ago). Still haven't heard back. Reading this post and understanding how the components work together now... it sounds like my right IWE is losing vaccume but your explanation makes it sound like both sides would lose vaccume if one side lost it. And why would I have to put it in 4wd or come to a complete stop and shut it down to get it to disengage? That confuses me and I have a 12' so I would think it has the cover for the solenoid... idk? Any ideas... the dealership doesnt seem to have any. The problem started with 3,000 miles on it so I am angry to say the least. Great post btw... not often you have someone with your obvious knowlege level willing to take so much time to help others, I thank you for that regardless of your response.

VTX1800N1

I haven't looked at a 2012 but the part numbers seem to be the same (IWEs anyway) and I believe the system works just like the '04 through '08 trucks. What you describe does indeed seem strange.... first we have to confirm that it is indeed related to the 4x4 system. You might have a bad wheel bearing or misaligned brake parts or some other problem??? This is what I would do- disconnect the electrical connector from the IWE solenoid. This will prevent the 4x4 module from disengaging the front hubs while in 2WD. Your 4x4 might not work during this time because the computer can't get a resistance load across the IWE solenoid circuit, but that's ok. Your front hubs will remain locked in and the half shafts and front drive shaft will spin while you drive it, but that won't hurt a thing save a few MPGs. You won't be in 4WD (ESOF switch in 2 High) because the TC has not locked the front driveshaft. Then drive it and try to reproduce the problem. If the problem comes back, then you can be reasonably sure that it's not the hubs or IWEs that are causing it, and I would start looking at wheel bearing, brakes, etc. What you describe shouldn't have anything to do with the front axle or differential, because none of that should be spinning in 2WD anyway, which is where you are getting the whining noise.

If the problem doesn't come back, then test the system like I explained on the first page. You might have a loose connection somewhere in a vacuum line, or something similar might be going on that is causing this. Check the vacuum reservoir and the lines up there too. Test the IWEs with a vacuum pump. They should hold strong vacuum with virtually no leak down (they can leak down a little, but if it's quick then you have found your problem).

A vacuum leak on one side might not completely engage or disengage the hub on the other side. It depends on how big the leak is and where it is (how close to the point where the lines from the solenoid split off to each wheel).

marinemike0931

Ok yeah i'll try that tomorrow, never really thought of it being something else except for the first time I heard it. I pulled over thinking I had a bad wheel bearing but when I took off from the side of the road it had already stopped. Then I realized that it stopped imediatly upon engaging 4wd (thinking that everything has been allowed to fully engage) and didn't return upon disengaging... leading me to believe that vaccume had bled out of the seal on my right IWE and when vaccume was re-applied it was fine until the next bump allowed the seal to bleed again. This is my first 4X4 so I really don't know what I'm talking about, but reading your system description kind of made me feel like I was right... until your response. That being said i'll give it a try tomorrow after work or friday when I'm off and will report back. Thanks again for your help.

brosher

Thanks for this, I learned a lot about how the system works.