I recently purchased a 2005 F150 FX4. Went to use the the 4WD last nite while hunting and when I turned the **** on the dash to 4HI, NOTHING!!! I have read a few threads from about a yr. ago and wondered if this is the IWE solenoid? I checked all the fuses and they are okay. Is it a vacuum problem? Is it something a local shop can fix or do i have to take it to a dealer[which does not excite me in the least!!!] THANKS!!!

 

Howdy and welcome.

Nothing as in no light or nothing as in no front tires spinning? If you drop to neutral and try 4x4low, will that engage?

Adrianspeeder

 

no clicks, nothing. put in neutral, for 4LOW, nothing.

 

Hmmm, I'm not too familiar with the newer ESOF operation in the '04+, but I'd suspect either the switch or the main computer with your symptoms.

Adrianspeeder

 

My 4WD isn't engaging. Every now and then the dash light comes on, but I'm still in 2WD. When trying to get into 4x4, I need 2 hands on the shifter.

My front tires are a year older than my rears with an definite tread difference. After reading previous posts on this site, I thought I might have screwed up the transfer case because the axles were spinning at different speeds, as a result of the tread differences.

A co-worker, who used to work in a dealership, thinks the problem might be because the truck has @92K on it and has never had a tranny/transfer case fluid change.

I am NOT a mechanic. I'm real good with tools, but not the automotive type! The truck's going in to the shop in the next day or two (depending on the weather). Any opinions on what the problem might be? Any comments would be appreciated...

 

Somewhere in the forums is a thread where a more learned group of individuals described to me how to resolve, or at least track down, my 4x4 not working issue.

I wanted to say....well... thanks.

Turned out to be the vac actuator on the front diff since I was able to get good vacuum on the lines to the front end, and at the correct time. The troubleshooting steps provided here let my mechanic zero in on the replacing the problem part instead of hunting it down himself, which in the end saved me money.

The forums work, and so does the search function, when used...else how would I have found the thread in the first place.

Happy Holidays. :santa:

 

bamamike,

Light or no light? No light means that the Gem does not recognize the shift command. It could be a burnt fuse, defective switch, relay or t-case shift motor. Need to do some digging.

JMC

 

on the 2004-current f150 the 4x4 light is turned on via IWE solinoid. if the light doesnt come on then there is a problem with the solinoid. even if the t-case motor was not working when switched to 4x4 the light will still come on if the IWE solinoid is working properly. in 2006 the IWE solinoid had a guard added to it to prevent water ingestion into the solinoid. which is more then likely your problem. part costs around 12 dollars

TSB
06-8-15 INTERMITTENT IWE NOISE, 4WDH LIGHT AND/OR 4X4 SYSTEM INOPERATIVE, DTCS - C1979 AND C1980

Publication Date: April 25, 2006

FORD: 2004-2006 F-150
LINCOLN: 2006 Mark LT


ISSUE:
Some 2004-2006 F-150 and 2006 Mark LT 4X4 vehicles built before 4/24/2006 may exhibit a noise in 2 wheel drive from the front Integrated Wheel Ends (IWE) and/or the 4X4 system being inoperative. The IWE solenoid may have ingested water and passed it to the IWE system causing water contamination in the vacuum portion of the system. A shorted IWE solenoid can set the codes C1979 and C1980. If either code is present, the 4WDH light will be inoperative.

ACTION:
Use the following Service Procedure to check and repair the 4X4 system.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Replace the IWE solenoid. Torque the new design bracket and solenoid to 62 lb-in (7 N-m). It will be necessary to remove the vacuum lines from each IWE down at the wheels to check for water being present.
If no water is present at the vacuum line at the IWE, install the new solenoid with bracket. Reconnect all vacuum hoses.
If water is present allow it to drain from the vacuum lines. Then follow the updated procedure outlined in 2006 Workshop Manual (WSM) on-line version, Section 308-07A, Pin Point Tests B21 and B22. These tests checks IWE leak rates with vacuum and will remove any residual water from the IWE. Reconnect all vacuum hoses.
If the IWE looses vacuum quicker than specification. Refer to WSM, Section 204-01B for normal diagnostic procedures.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
6L3Z-9E441-A (CX-2117) IWE Solenoid

 

I dodged a bullet on this one. It was only a bad switch and cost $125 for the part and labor...