just got done replacing the IWE solenoid. was easier than easy.

i started getting a little grinding at lower speeds like another thread was talking about. so before i chewed up the hubs i figured that i would do a little preventitive work.

i got the part from tasca.com for 14.89. the part number is 6L3Z-9E441-A.

the new one has a shield above it to keep water from getting in.

 

I had this replaced under warranty, I wonder if my new one has the shield as you describe. Can you see it by just crawling under the truck and looking? I have no idea where it is...

 

Its under the hood, passenger side on the firewall behind the battery in the corner.

 

Sweet, thanks!

 

there is one electrical connector and two vacumn connectors and is bolted to the firewall behind the battery as stated. if it does not have the rain shield i would thinkabout ordering the above part or fabricating something to cover it. apparently the rain getting in was the problem. it eventually made its way down to the hubs and also caused the solenoid to fail

 

I just went to test out my 4x4 and it just clicks under the truck in 4hi and low. you think that its that solenoid?

 

cant help you with that. but can tell you what the solenoid does. when power is put to it, it opens allowing vacumn to go to the hubs and pull them back so they are not engaged. when the solenoid is going bad it does not allow the vacumn to get there or a limited amount so that the hubs engage or partially engage.

there are some threads on the 4 by 4 problems. do the search. i believe i read one about the motor on the back of the transfer case failing.

my purpose for starting this this thread was just to bring attention to a potential problem that is really cheap and easy to address before it gets expensive and difficult.

good luck and post what you find

 

Just use the search function here and you'll find several useful posts by TN-F150 on the subject. The solenoid is just one of the fun filled parts one might have to replace if you're 4 wheel drive system isn't working properly. The good news is that even if you have to replace the IWEs or the ESOF motor, they're relatively easy. I've replaced everything at least once in 78,000 miles on my 2005.

 

like i said the reason i posted was to point out how cheap and easy the solenoid is to do. if it fails and does damage to the hubs its not so cheap and easy.