so i have no idea if this post goes in this thread. i know this will sound really stupid but my question is how do you engage 4L or 4H. i have a 99 f150 4x4 xlt auto and i tried putting the vehicle in neutral and turning the electronic switch to either 4L or 4H and then putting it into drive and creeping along to see if it engages and it doesnt(light on dash doesnt come on). am i doing something wrong? i have only engaged 4 wheel drive on manual locking hubs never electronic. please if someone can shed some light on this subject please do.

 

I am new to 4x4 drive, but I am pretty sure if you have the dash board switches you dont even half to be in neutral. If there not coming on, they could be frozen due to none use. I know my 4x4 was when i got my truck because the previous owner never used it... I would try to engage it without being in neutral. If not you can always take it to a garage and have them grease gear box....

 

To engage 4H, just flip the switch and it goes in (if it's working..). You can do this on the fly up to around 50 mph. I do it all the time when I'm stuck in traffic on the hwy and I want to 'excercise' my 4x4 for a little while.

To go into 4L you must be stopped. Foot on brake. Trans in N. Now flip the switch to 4L and you should hear/feel a 'clunk'. You will know when you are in 4L. Don't do this on dry pavement because you can put drive line in a bind while turning. Going straight is ok.

To shift out of 4L, you have to be stopped, foot on brake and trans in N. Well, that's how I do it anyway.....

If you are not getting the "4x4" light on the dash, then either the bulb is out or you are not engaging 4x4.

Mitch

 

Do the lights work when you first turn the key on to know if they are working? Are all your fuses good?

Mitch has the correct procedure for low range.

Adrianspeeder

 

yea all my lights come on when i turn the vehicle on. i was thinking maybe it was frozen becuase i dont hear a clunk or feel anything when i engage it. does anyone know what number the fuse is, i dont have my owners manual to tell me. where could i take the truck to find out what the problem is or is it something i can do? i want to take the truck to the snow but i want to make sure 4H and 4L works.

 

Just look at the fuses to see if any are blown. Sorry I don't have the 97 here to tell ya which fuse it could be. This is the reason I get manual transfer cases. The ford ESOF motors on the back of the transfer case tend to fail rather easily. You could try to bang it with a hammer, but your prolly lookin at buyin another. Easy bolt on.

Adrianspeeder

 

ok so what is the name of the part i will have to replace and what does it cost? again thanks for the help