I have a 06 F 150 4x4 which has a ongoing problem since I bought it on 08. When I put the selector switch to 4 hi or 4 low it only works intermittently. About 50% of the time. When I need my 4x4 engaged is when I need it. I cant trust it to work. I have taken the truck to both dealerships here in Mobile and have had the Vacuum actuator replaced or it has worked. It seems to be worse when it is cold and/or rainning. I am wondering does the computer has any control over this? Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated!

 

The first thing you need to determine is what part of your 4x4 system is not working. When you say that you turn the switch and "nothing happens", exactly what do you mean? Can you hear the ESOF motor on the back of the transfer case shifting. (You need to be outside the truck to determine this.) Do you get any indicator lights on the dash?

The reason I mention all of this is that the switch itself is probably the most reliable part of the whole system. The least reliable parts are the ESOF motor itself, the 4x4 solenoid on the passenger side firewall, then the IWEs at the actual wheel hubs.

When the ESOF motor goes, it generally goes to sleep for good - unless you manage to wake it up with a soft tap from a mallet.

When the solenoid goes, it's also pretty much a done deal. The good news is that it's easy to get to and cheap to replace.

When the IWEs start to go, they can actually take a bit to truly go bad. But when they start to go - or the solenoid goes and starts to take them out - they make plenty of noise.

My bet would be that your ESOF motor is on it's way out. So block your wheels and have a buddy engage and disengage 4x4 with the switch with the parking brake set and his foot on the brake. You should be able to hear that motor - right on the back of the transfer case - shifting.

Do some searching on "IWEs" here and you should find a wealth of information on this system. Although it's got some issues, it's basically pretty reliable. The number one thing you can do to keep it reliable though is to engage the 4x4 mode at least once a month.

 

The indicator light will come on when it works; Numerous times the light does not come on and that is when the 4wd does not work. I have thought many times it was the switch But dealer says fine. It is like it has a mind of its own! I will try your suggestion on getting outside and listening when I switch it to 4wd and indicator light is not on! Thanks

 

I'd almost guarantee the ESOF motor is your problem. If it does not shift the transfer case, you will not get a light on the dash.

 

x2 on the shift motor. if you turn the **** and you dont get the 4x4 indicator on the dash, then the shift motor didnt turn. also i have seen the relays (under the hood) that control the motor go bad. there are 2 relays, one for each direction of the shift motor. clockwise and counter clockwise. most often its the motor. the motor is easy to replace. a 10mm socket and a small pick to transfer 2 wires from the connectors and your done. takes 10 minutes or less.

 

Thanks for the input guys, my 06 F150 with 4x4 generally rocks, 107k miles and still goin strong, but with our recent snowfall here in sunny Buffalo I have the occasion to engage 4hi from time to time. Until last week it has worked great. I took the truck to my local shop, they claimed to have worked on them before, so what the hell. After a day and a new dash selector switch, still no dash light and no 4x4. Last night I found this forum, I also subscribe to a Porsche forum and a Ferrari forum. What a great source of information!!
This morning I climbed under the beast, found the ESOF motor and gently tapped. I still do not understand what tapping the exterior of an electric motor can possibly do, but my 4x4 now works.

Thanks again guys,
John G

 

My 4x4 isn't working either. I have tried tapping on the ESOF motor to no avail. I have no 4x4 dash lights lighting up and no clicking whatsoever. I have been in Iraq for a year so I don't know when it started doing this. HELP!!

 

Tapping on the ESOF motor will wake it up - only if the motor is not totally shot. If it's frozen up or fried, you're SOL and will have to replace it. Before you do that though, you need to verify if it's getting power. Test light time!

 

i had to replace my ESOF motor just be careful with tapping as you could get stuck in 4x4 like happend to me very easy fix