My husband and I own a 1999 F-150 automatic. I know nothing about automobiles and my husband knows next to nothing. Last night I had a problem with the 4 wheel drive shifter.

I have no idea what I was doing......just trying to shift from 4 to 2 WD, the truck moved for a short distance then it was like it slipped out of gear and was in neutral. I kept shifting around (in and out of 4 WD - I am stupid and did not know it should be in neutral). Anyway it made horrible noises Loud like the engine fell out of the thing. grinding noises and the speedometer needle went up to 100 and back down.

Thismorning he said I had it stuck between 4L and 4H. the truck ran but sluggish and wont go in the passing gear. I am so sick that I might have ruined the transmission or somthing. Have an appointment but not til the end of the day...thought maybe I could get a little peice of mind til then if I got any responses here.

Any ideas on what I could have broken...if anything would be appreciated.

 

Oh I forgot to say that I drove it probally like 14 miles at a slow speed in what ever gear I was in I think 4L. probally going 25 mph or less.

 

In order to get the truck in 4l, I believe you have to have the transmission in Neutral and your foot on the brake. If you were in 4L, you should have noticed your tach being very high if you were anywhere near 25mph. Were you trying to shift the truck while it was moving, or sitting still? If you had the rear tires spinning but the truck wasn't moving while you were shifting, that can cause all kinds of noise. I've done it a few times with no problems. It's hard to say if you did any damage. Can you get the truck back into 2H?

 

TRITON_MOTORS is correct you have to be in Neutral to shift into 4L. I'm not sure about the break peddle but, since I always have my foot there when in Neutral, I wouldn't know.

I'm guessing from what you discribed, that you tried shifting out of 4wd while turning, most likely on a dry hard surface.

I did this very thing last weekend and the truck acted like it was falling apart. All I did was switch back to 4H, straighten the wheel out and get rolling aways before shifting to 4L and then driving aways.

My guess is that one of the hubs didn't release, because of the pressure from the turn, when I shifted. Leaving me in 3wd but with the Transfer case not engaged to the transmission.

I'd bet you need a front hub repaired and I'd pray that your Transfer isn't trashed.

Doug