hey.......... first post.

i recently bought a 2004 f150 xlt sc 5.4l. i was on a back road last night going up a hill,(dirt road with stutter bumps) and decided to stop and use the 4wd rather than have my rearend hopping around. ( very steep hill)

i started off in 4 hi, then came to a stop. i switched it to 4 low and proceeded up the hill. it didn't feel like it engaged the 4 low, so i stopped, put the truck in nuetral, went back to 2 high, then to 4 low. it engaged and up the hill i went, i made it to 15mph, then BANG! the truck jolted and i heard a whining noise for a second then i stopped.

the " wrench " came on after i came to a stop. i went back to 2 high and everything was normal. i drove a few miles and shut the truck off, then started it up again. the wrench went away.

i read something in the manual about " limp home mode " and exhaust gases/ engine misfire."


anyone ever experience this?

should i not use the 4wd until looked at buy a dealer?

i appreciate your insight!

testpilot

 

Sounds to me like you were never fully engaged in 4L. Although you can alternate between 4H and 2H on the fly, you should both stop AND put it in neutral before going to 4L, then I usually bump it to D or Rev., let it roll a few inches, then back to N to let it fully engage (you'll hear it).

If drivability is normal in 2, you can try the method I just wrote going back into 4H, and 4L to make sure everything is ok. I have goofed a few times and didnt let it engage all the way, made some ugly noises, but never broke anything.

 

As for the "wrench", you'll need to have your codes scanned to see what is stored. The computer will keep the DTC in memory for a few weeks unless reset.

Steve