A friend of mine has an F-150 that is stuck in 4x4, it is an electric shift. He has swapped out the switch and what he called an "amplifier looking thing" (GEM?) with known good ones and it didn't help. There were some blown relays, which he replaced. It went into a shop for a different problem and came back with this one, for as bad as it is goofed up he doesn't think it should go back...

Any ideas?

 

What other repairs were done? Sounds like a wire has been cut or grounded.

 

His dad blew up the rear end and had it fixed (and the 4x4 goofed up) then he bought it from his dad.

 

I would check the wiring harness starting at the ABS plug at the rear end and move forward.

 

maybe the 4x4 engagement motor on the t case decided to kick. same thing happened on dads old 94 explorer, replaced t case motor and good as new

 

You need to first determine if the transfer case is actually in 4HI/4LO or if the front axle is just not disengaging(it will "feel" like it's in 4WD, especially when you turn sharp). Lots of problems with the front axle vacuum disconnect system and it's usually an easy fix. Do the 4x4 dash indicator lights stay on? FYI, in a pinch, you can remove the shift motor and manually shift the transfer case.

 

My truck goes in and out of 4 wheel drive whenever it pleases to do so. I had the Transfer motor motor replaced and it ran fine for 5 days, and now it is back up to the same old tricks...i would really like to disengage the 4WD until i can get it looked at again, I just dont know exactly where to do so, if anyone can let me know, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

easiest way(take with a few pounds salt, not sure if it is safe) just take off the front drive shaft... :/

at least your tranny wont be working to spin the front two tires

 

as an alternative to removing the front driveshaft, I drove mine without the rear driveshaft for a few days. (seems like I had a bad u-joint). I put a cap on the rear of the transfer case to keep the dirt out. It's only 4 bolts to remove the rear. Not sure how hard it is to get the front one out...

Of course, if it shifts _out_ of 4wd intermittantly/unintentionally, that might not be the best idea.