transfer case question

[realtreef15097]

according to the guy who sold the truck, the 4x4 doesnt work because the transfer case needs a new motor but im running into a few issues getting a new one. the tags on my transmission are unreadable so ive been comparing mine to ones in stores and have noticed the new one have 7 pin rectangular connectors and mine has an 8th pin that runs into the transfer case, single black wire now i did get incontact with a mechanic who staid to buy a 7 pin and shove the black wire into where the 8th one is on mine. Is this correct also when i pulled the motor off my case the pin it rotates, is facing vertically and i noticed on the new motors its horizontal, he said to grab that with pliers and turn it his advice seems too simple is this correct the truck is a 97 4.6l f150 i do have electric shift 4x4. i also found a rotted vaccum hose up front i gotta get replaced

[kingfish51]

I would check to make sure he was correct before I would through money at it. If f while up on a lift, and in 4x4 the front driveshaft turns, then it is not a TC problem but a problem with the engagement of the front diff, which 97-03 is notorious for. If that it could be a vacuum line problem, solenoid problem, engagement fork problem, or vacuum motor problem.

[realtreef15097]

Originally Posted by kingfish51

I would check to make sure he was correct before I would through money at it. If f while up on a lift, and in 4x4 the front driveshaft turns, then it is not a TC problem but a problem with the engagement of the front diff, which 97-03 is notorious for. If that it could be a vacuum line problem, solenoid problem, engagement fork problem, or vacuum motor problem.

after playing with it and the hoses, i found that my engaging the transfer case manually the 4x4 works beautifully so the i have an issue in the electronic engagement of the system, any ideas on what and where i should start checking?

[kingfish51]

Electrically, some of the parts that may cause a problem are the motor itself and the GEM module, which sits under the fuse box. These tend to get corroded. Usually a sign the GEM module is a problem is that the 4x4 light doies not come on when it is shifted to 4x4. Could also be the switch.

[6Jeff6]

Or the relay switch to the right of the dash pod that clicks is bad. Mine clicked but wasn't actually working. My brother works with circuit boards and took it to work and fixed a few solder joints and fixed it perfectly. Everyone said its the gem and i paid 150 for nothing.
And yes the mechanic is right but i had to cut and add wire and just joined the wire with black tape but will also solder it when Im done with the truck.

What is your truck doing exactly with clicks and dash light? I will try to help with my small amount of knowledge....

[realtreef15097]

so far the 4x4 light is constantly on even thought the transfer case is set to 2H, I don't know if it would show a code through the computer, nothing happens or changes when play with switch for the 4x4

[6Jeff6]

hmmm its either gem or that switch maybe pull apart dash and feel to the right of the tach and pull out the switch i had go bad. its usually slid on a spade. slide it off and unplug and inspect it.

[realtreef15097]

my dash has been apart because fuse 29 keeps blowing and im looking for the short (no luck) but ive got teh switch hanging there what should i look for in it?, my current transfer case motor is from a junkyard the original was rusted though so idk even know if thats any good

[6Jeff6]

What does fuse 29 control? I honestly could not see anything on mine my bro took it in and fixed it under a magnifying glass. Check and see if your motor is spinning when you select 4wd.

[realtreef15097]

update, replaced gem due to other issues, no luck for the esof 4x4 system though what relay on the right of the dash pod was being talked about?