I just bought this used 2003, 5.4L, F-150, SuperCrew, Automatic, On The Fly 4x4. First truck, or 4x4, I've ever owned.

PART 1:
Sometimes it goes into 4 wheel drive and sometimes not. Alway the lights indicate that it is in 4x4 and/or 4x4 LOW RANGE. When the lights indicate 4x4 LOW, it's always in the low gearing mode, but not always in 4x4.

The only way I know to test it, is to have someone watch while I gun it on the ice packed street and see if the front wheels spin.

Any ideas would be helpful. So far this has got me stuck twice in the last two weeks.


PART 2:
When it is in 4x4 and I gun it on ice, how many tires should spin? 4? or only one front and one rear?

-Frustrated in Colorado

 

usually only one front wheel will spin, front diff is open (not locking mechanism whatsoever). stock limited slip in the rear isnt a good one at all. so yes, you will usually get only one front and one rear wheel spinning.

check the vacuum lines that engage four wheel drive. thats what it sounds like to me.

 

Took it to the dealer and guess what? That's right, they couldn't reproduce the problem.

I put it in 4x4 as I turned into the neighborhood last night on the way back from the dealership and it seemed to be in. This morning I went out and backed out of my driveway into the icy street with a fresh 6" of snow and got stuck. Again only one rear tire spinning.

Could the cold temperatures be a contributing factor to this problem?

Thanks,

 

I had the same thing happen to my 05 fx4. I took it to a dealer that know about the TSB and they fixed it for free. (bad front hub) I'm not sure about your 03 but I sounds like the same thing. Maybe you should take it to another dealership.
Good luck,
td

 

Tom, no front hubs on the '97-'03s, but JH, if the transfer case is working (front drive shaft spinning) and the tires won't spin, something is up with your Center Axle Disconnect.

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