I switched to 4 hi for about 1 mile. When I turned the "switch" back to 2 wheel drive nothing happened. I cannot get it out of 4 hi. I checked all fuses I could find relating to 4 wheel drive. I tried backing up, turning off the motor, and switching it while in neutral. It did this once befroe but I was able to get it back in 2 w/d after about 5 minutes of messing with it. Any Ideas.......ANYBODY??!!

 

You could have dirty contacts on the switch. Try this....with the motor off, switch it all the way to the right and back again, rapidly, about 10 times. If the contacts are dirty, this will clean them, but only a temp fix.....you might need a new switch. I don't think there is a way to get contact cleaner inside the switch.

 

Funny-I was just about to post a question regarding this same issue-

Mine did the same thing about a year ago, a couple of times, once in 4w LOW. The last time, I had to drive it to the dealer in 4w HIGH, and that really p___ed me off.

I took the switch apart every time, and it never seemed to be the switch, but it would eventually "clunk" back into 2WD. I even replaced the switch. Same thing.

So anyway, the dealer determined that it was the servo motor on the transfer case that wasn't "servo-ing", and it cost $400 to replace.

Ever since, it's been working fine, but I make it a point to switch it in and out fairly often. I figured that I had'nt used it in so long, the "servo" froze up.

But I still hold my breath every time I hit the switch, and wish like hell I had a lever on the floor instead.

BTW-I can't imagine a worse location and design for a 4WD switch. Right next to the fan switch, same size and shape. I've hit it before fumbling around in the dark looking for the fan switch.

 

well my 97 f150 4x4 is currently sitting in my driveway and will not come out of 4 wheel drive. i turn the switch and nothing its stuck in 4 wheel low. I DO have a new transfer case motor and its still stuck. its been doing this for a while it would get stuck usually in 4 low but after a while it would finally come out but not this time and the motor is new on the t case. what else couls it be i tested the switch and i have voltage and i did check the ohms and it seems like its working but im not sure i need help please. thanks, john

 

Well, the first thing to check is that power is getting to the actuator motor when the switch is flipped. The best thing is to have a continuity tester hooked up to the servo while your wife flips the switch. If that checks good, it might be that the driveline is bound up too tight for the actuator to pull it out of 4WD. Maybe make sure the wheels are straight, and that it will roll forward and back freely.

Other than that, I don't know, dude, I'll bet you're like me and wishing you had a lever on the floor.

Good luck,

 

well everyone i took my truck into the dealer because it would not shift out of 4 wheel drive and about a hour later they call me up and say can you please come down and take a look at what we found. so i go down and the shop foreman says who changed your fluid last and i replied a local mechanic that had worked on my vehicles a lot and he said well he must have forgotten to put about 2 quarts of fluid back in when he changed it and he showed me what came out of the t case and it was full of metal. so now the dealer says i need a new tranfer case what options do i have. this sucks i tried calling the guy who did the service and guess what HES OUT OF DAMN BUSINESS so now im screwed. what should i do. thanks, john

 

To all those who wish you had a lever, I got a manual tranny and I have not had one problem with it in 6+ years, crossing my fingers. Gotta love those manuals! As far as your transfer case, even if the guy that did your service on your t-case was still in business you would have not recourse with him, the courts call it owner neglect. I know this because I dealt with the same issue with a 95 mustang, I took it to a shop and they shorted me 2 quarts of oil and my engine over heated and my cam warped, I was out and had to rebuild the damn engine!

P.S. - Always change and check your own fluid because when it comes down to it, if it breaks blame yourself and pay for it!

 

Before anybody panics try driving on a dirt/rough road and continully turn on and off the switch. also try and tap the shift motor gently (sfh) while someoine turns the switch off and on. This worked on the wifes' Xploder.

 

So the poor guy who has a lunched t-case can't blame his dash switch, but while you were on your back tapping the shift motor on your wife's Exploder, and when all of us who flip the switch and nothing happens curse and yell, isn't the obvious question: "Why hasn't Ford bullet-proofed this system, or better yet, why is it still an option?"

I already know the answer, but I still wish I had a lever...

 

B-rider; I have the floor shift in my 97 and the wife has the switch. I feel your pain dude but you play the cards your dealt and maybe someday the "dealer" will deal you a winning hand even if its only once in a while....

 

Not sure how or where to post my questions, but i think this is the place. I hopw someone can shed some light on the situation. Ive got an 08 4x4, and just spent $1400 in new parts. my truck is stuck in 4 LOW. i had a vacuum leak in the system, which is now repaired. The leak caused my hub actuators to wear as well as the bearing hubs. Both were changed, as well as the IWE solenoid. why is my truck still in 4 LOW? i keep tapping the transfer case motor, no change. Am i missing something here? is there an electrical reset? can it be the transfer case motor?

 

You do have the tranmission in neutral and foot on the brake when trying to change it, don't you?

 

Assuming you are in Neutral, stopped, with your foot on the service brake, also apply the parking brake. I have no idea why this would work but I've heard of two instances now where this got someone out of a "Stuck in 4x4 Low" situation. FWIW, exercise the system at least once a month by putting it in each range to help prevent the parts from getting frozen in place. I do this and my TCM is silent.

 

For a replacement t-case. http://car-part.com/ Most places will install too. FYI; the t-case has plastic parts so it is very important to keep the fluid level topped up. The electric shift motor does need to be exercised once a month. Do it on a slippery surface. If your driveline binds and you get stuck in 4x4 jack up one of the front wheels.
If you are still stuck in 4x4;
(97-2004 heritage) at the firewall solenoids switch the red line for the blue line going down to the axle. This should unlock the front axle and allow you to drive somewhere to get it fixed.
(2004 +) Unplug the vacuum lines going to the solenoid on the firewall and connect them together. This will apply vacuum to the IWEs and unlock the front hubs.