OK...So, I've researched this topic to death! and I still am unsure if replacing the RH IWE will fix my problem. I have read about all the threads regarding noise, IWE's, solenoids etc and it seems unclear to me why this noise and IWE problem would cause the truck not to go into 4HI or 4LO. It seems to be a 2HI issue and when switched to 4HI it goes away. So with it being winter and only driving 5 miles to work I was gonna just leave it in 4HI till spring and change it when it's warmer.

So, why would it not go into 4WD at all with this issue?

 

Anyone?

 

I tried that don't do it. The grinding noise (4x4 trying to engage) was driving me nuts so i would put in 4hi so it would shut up even though 4x4 was not working. Didn't make a sound.......until i decided to to try and put it back in 2hi. CLUNK CLUNK! Didn't know what the hell it was but that was the point when i took it to the dealer. It was a pretty loud violent noise that could not of been good just my 2 cents. I would just fix it it cost me $160 through the dealer.

 

I wish I could help you out, but I have a friend that has the same problem we have still yet to find out the problem.

 

How long ago was that and what was the clunk from? $160 for what? That sounds cheap for IWE's.

 

sounds like an IWE SOLINOID. this system works backwards of what most people are used to...vacuum is used to DISENGAGE then front hubs(IWE'S) and when their is no vacuum present the hubs lock. when the IWE solinoid goes bad full vacuum may not be at the hubs, partially engaging them.. which is why they grind and the noise goes away in 4x4. also the 4x4 may not work at all if the trouble code C1979 is set from the faulty solinoid. replace the solinoid it should solve your problem. hope this helps.

 

I replaced the solenoid myself and the noise didn't go away. I took it to the dealer and they said it needed a RH hub and quoted $597. I can do it for $114 IF that IS what is wrong. They didn't mention any codes but then again they weren't very forthcoming or helpful in understanding why it needed what they said. It's like, here's what it will cost and that's it...no explanation of why or what it's doing or not doing. I was in the auto repair business for 12 plus years and I always explained why something needed repaired. Dealer's suck and at a time when they need customer support, they act like they can get along without it. It Amazes me!

I've read and heard of people getting this done and still not eliminating the noise or problem, or 6 months later coming right back. It just seems very iffy of whether it will fix it or not and the dealers and parts guys don't seem to REALLY know anything about the system. And forget trying to find anything on the net regarding EXACTLY how this system works, or diagrams. Everything seems to be hearsay.

I think I will go back to foreign cars, at least my experience with the dealers was FAR better than this. At least they know how their cars WORK and how to convey that and what's wrong to the customer.

So, I have a 3 year old truck with 40k miles, a fuel smell in the cab every day and a non functioning 4WD system. I miss my 2000 F150...

 

This happened to me over the summer. Probably waited a month before I took it in as it got progressively worse. Not sure what the clunk was either did the dealer but it has not done it since fixed. Just found the receipt. Sorry it was $182 I was close. They replaced the IWE solenoid and the check valve, and I remember the guy telling me that there was water in the vacuum line(possibly the cause?). Hope this helps, I thought that was a reasonable price. Maybe I got lucky.

 

Oh yeah and try a different dealer if the one your going to is treating you like S*i!

 

Yeah, that's my next course because I really hate working on vehicles when it's cold. I replaced the solenoid but what is this check valve and where?

I noticed the other day after some ice and snow here, that in 4wd when I punch it I hear the noise faintly like it's engaged but just slipping past the teeth. Do you know if the hub or the actuator has the gear that moves?