Excellent Video!! I bought a 2002 F150 and the 4x4 was not working. I followed the instructions in this video and fixed my 4x4 by installing a new switch (as shown at 4 min mark of this video). It only cost $47 to repair and now I can drive through deep snow like never before. Thank you!
I have been working on my 99 f150 for 3 years now. I watched parts 1 & 2 of this video and it was very informative. I am close to getting the rest of my f150 put back together and once done I will update on the suggestions I used from these videos. Thanks.
So dumb that a simple little part like that can shut down the entire 4x4 system. I have the Electronic shift on the fly (dial on dash). I've never been sure why Ford decided that this was a great idea. I grew up with manual transfer case shifters and a manual transmission in an F150.....best setup and it was fairly bulletproof. I've swapped out my two solenoids, replaced the shift motor, and I have the switch- putting that in this weekend hoping that will just be the problem. Thanks for posting this video, very helpful!
@@StormLaker Based on what I've seen when it malfunctioned, it has a bigger role than that. My 4WD would not activate until this switch closed. It's misnamed at least for my truck.
Hey great video 👍. Iv been having issues with my auto twist knob 4x4 coming on and off on its own. It wants to stay in 4wd and won’t go back into 2wd, I had to remove the transfer case shift motor to manually move the lever back to 2wd just so I could drive .Iv replaced numerous parts, actuator, solenoids, transfer case motor, fuses,vacuum lines seem likes they’re still working. Just came across your video and wondering if it’s just the manual 4wd models like your truck that have this part? I can’t seem to find it anywhere under mine. My issue must be something electrical . If anyone out there has any info I’d really appreciate it! Cheers
Yeah, I don't think your truck would have this switch. I don't often recommend this, but you might have to take the vehicle into a competent professional with high end diagnostic equipment.
Are you sure the switch affects the 4x4 mechanical function? My truck has a floor lever case and the 4x4 light is stuck on, but the actual 4x4 works fine, It goes in and out of 4x4 normally just the 4x4 light is stuck on. I think my problem is the switch. But I am not understanding how the switch was your problem. Did you drive the truck when you switched it into 4x4 to make sure it wasn't working or did you just not see the light come one and assume it did not go into 4x4? Thank you for the video, I hope you reply.
Thanks for all of the cool videos. 1999 F-150 It has a new actuator. 4WD works sometimes, sometimes not. When it doesn't work I hear clicking for a little while behind the dash and no 4WD light comes on. Sometimes it will engage after the second or third click. Which one would you try first? The switch or hunt down the vacuum leak? Thanks again for these very informational videos. Very much appreciated and very cool.
Given the choice between those two, I would check out the switch first. It was the switch that caused the light (and 4wd operation) to be intermittent on my truck. Inspection should reveal if it has gone bad.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Cool thanks Man I really appreciate your reply. Actually the switch looks easier than taking apart everything to hunt for a vacuum leak. I will let you know how it goes when I fix it in the next month or so. Thanks again for making these videos. Much appreciated VERY helpful.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Thanks again for all the great videos. Actually my 4WD started working again, so I didn't need to fix it. I'm sure it will probably start working intermittently again over time. When I eventually need to fix it I will know how to do it 🙂
Question,when I'm driving,sometimes the 4WD light comes on and I hear a growling noise so I put it in 4WD [manual shifter] and it goes away and it's in 4WD what can cause the 4WD light to come on by itself when driving,thank you,it's a 1997 also
I have a 99 ford expedition my 4x4 tries to kick in while driving but mostly when I go up a mountain or accelerate all videos say the iwe solenoid is by the battery on the firewall their not their and I don't see them under the hood
Well need to cover intermittent shifting in and out of 4x4. I have went through both videos and it still works sometimes and sometimes not. Everything checks out so far per the videos. The light works it just isn't going into 4x4 without several tries.
Wondering the same. Does the manual shift 4wd model just have this part or does the auto 4x4 on the dash have it too? Can’t seem to locate it on my truck. Did you figure it out?
97 f150 esof , I pulled the 2 vacuums off the selonoids by the battery while truck was off the driver side one I heard lots of suction disappear when I pulled it off, not any suction on passenger side , but when I went to start the truck again it won't start now . What could have happened? I don't need any more problems
Thanks for the info I have a 2001 F150 stick shift 5 speed sometimes when shift into 4x4 it doesn't work but the 4x4 light is on but the truck doesn't engage and this only seems to happen when i get stuck in 2 wheel drive and at that point i shift into 4x4 and the 4x4 light is on but the truck doesn't engage into 4x4 what you're opinion on this thank you i appreciate hearing back from you thanks
I have a 2005 Ford F-150 I put it in low range 4x4 accidentally and it wouldn't come out. I took off the little accuator motor and manually with a wrench turned it clockwise to 2 wheel drive that was easy. But then my low 4x4 light stayed on on the dashboard. It seemed to be out of 4x4 but the transfer case still seemed to be in low range, I couldn't get any speed out of it 20 mph max and it didn't shift. Any idea what the problem might be ? Thanks
@@TheOriginalMechanic Okay to be clear I wasn't moving when I engaged it. I accidentally turned the 4x4 switch instead of the fan switch when I started out in the vehicle. Thanks for your time, I was beginning to wonder the same as you suspected but I didn't figure from a parked position that was real likely... That said I can't remember if I've ever used 4x4 low @ all in the past...
Quick question for you. I have a 04 f150 with a 4.6. The light for the 4x4 stays on in 2wd in park and when i put it in drive and neutral the light goes out. I have a manual shifter for the 4x4 no buttons or switches. I get vaccum in the solenoid for the 4x4 and ground from the computer in drive and reverse. What else is in the system to check. Any help will be great. Thank you
So I have a 1999 for f-150 no 4x4 dash light good vacuum , voltage on the control signal, 12v on one side 15v on the other. when I engage the dash switch from 4x2 to 4x4 no difference in voltage and no dash light no click and no 4x4 engagement. not sure what to do next? should I change the Gem Module? It has a new PCM reprogrammed by ford but they won't touch this problem Thanks .
Hi great video. Do you know if the turn knob 4x4 version has the same switch that you replaced ? Or do the manual on the floor 4x4 only have this part? I have the shift on the fly style. Thanks a lot !
My 2002 the 4x4 light in dash will not come on nor will it prove out, only the low range light proves out, I dont think a switch is the cause, as in the beginning of this video i can see it prove out quickly
Hey bud my 4x4 in my 97 doesn't work and I ran the tests the light doesn't come on and I don't hear the motor turning but the gem module seems to work fine, could the light switch cause the same issue that is if the electronic ones have a switch, I'm getting main vacuum input just nothing else when flipping a switch but clicking noises.
I've never seen that. If you've cleared the solenoids and actuator and switch, I would suspect the front axle is mechanically stuck, if that's possible.
@@TheOriginalMechanic what do you mean the switch? I lock it in 4-wheel drive with a gear shifter in the floor board. Are the front CV joints supposed to turn all the time?
3:57 can someone tell me where the switch is located on an 04 F150?? The manual shows it is the same location as an 03 and I cannot see it. It's driving me crazy
@@TheOriginalMechanic so I did not change out the part yet but we're you having an issue with it as where it tries to engage but doesn't? My issue is that i tried to use it and I had nothing working. So I checked vaccum and power and could not get a test light to indicate that I had ground from the 4wd solenoid connector as you had in the video as well. Then miraculously I tried it the other day and it is acting like it's trying to engage but fails to engage each time. What do you think I should check next?
@@nathanamende8724 Mine was either on or off. It was intermittent. The switch is fairly easy to change and as I showed in the video, they are prone to fail mechanically.
After having my 4x4 motor replaced and it still not working, I went through all these steps only to find that my (former) mechanic didn't plug the motor in.
So if the light switch isn't working it will stop the solenoids from switching to 4-wheel drive ? I did that exact same test and when I turn the switch on my Dash to four wheel drive it's not sending the signal to switch solenoids.
Excellent Video!! I bought a 2002 F150 and the 4x4 was not working. I followed the instructions in this video and fixed my 4x4 by installing a new switch (as shown at 4 min mark of this video). It only cost $47 to repair and now I can drive through deep snow like never before. Thank you!
I have same truck so this is what I need ?
I have been working on my 99 f150 for 3 years now. I watched parts 1 & 2 of this video and it was very informative. I am close to getting the rest of my f150 put back together and once done I will update on the suggestions I used from these videos. Thanks.
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.
So dumb that a simple little part like that can shut down the entire 4x4 system. I have the Electronic shift on the fly (dial on dash). I've never been sure why Ford decided that this was a great idea. I grew up with manual transfer case shifters and a manual transmission in an F150.....best setup and it was fairly bulletproof. I've swapped out my two solenoids, replaced the shift motor, and I have the switch- putting that in this weekend hoping that will just be the problem. Thanks for posting this video, very helpful!
You're welcome and good luck with getting your 4WD back up and running.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Does that switch just send a signal to the dash to indicate the 4x4 has been engaged? Or does it control more than that?
@@StormLaker Based on what I've seen when it malfunctioned, it has a bigger role than that. My 4WD would not activate until this switch closed. It's misnamed at least for my truck.
awesome video! this was the same issues my truck was having! & now it's fixed THANKS!
You're welcome. Glad this helped you out!
Hey great video 👍. Iv been having issues with my auto twist knob 4x4 coming on and off on its own. It wants to stay in 4wd and won’t go back into 2wd, I had to remove the transfer case shift motor to manually move the lever back to 2wd just so I could drive .Iv replaced numerous parts, actuator, solenoids, transfer case motor, fuses,vacuum lines seem likes they’re still working. Just came across your video and wondering if it’s just the manual 4wd models like your truck that have this part? I can’t seem to find it anywhere under mine. My issue must be something electrical . If anyone out there has any info I’d really appreciate it! Cheers
Yeah, I don't think your truck would have this switch. I don't often recommend this, but you might have to take the vehicle into a competent professional with high end diagnostic equipment.
Are you sure the switch affects the 4x4 mechanical function? My truck has a floor lever case and the 4x4 light is stuck on, but the actual 4x4 works fine, It goes in and out of 4x4 normally just the 4x4 light is stuck on. I think my problem is the switch. But I am not understanding how the switch was your problem. Did you drive the truck when you switched it into 4x4 to make sure it wasn't working or did you just not see the light come one and assume it did not go into 4x4?
Thank you for the video, I hope you reply.
Great couple of videos, will help fix mine, thanks
You're welcome and good luck with it
Thanks for all of the cool videos.
1999 F-150
It has a new actuator.
4WD works sometimes, sometimes not.
When it doesn't work I hear clicking for a little while behind the dash and no 4WD light comes on.
Sometimes it will engage after the second or third click.
Which one would you try first?
The switch or hunt down the vacuum leak?
Thanks again for these very informational videos.
Very much appreciated and very cool.
Given the choice between those two, I would check out the switch first. It was the switch that caused the light (and 4wd operation) to be intermittent on my truck. Inspection should reveal if it has gone bad.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Cool thanks Man
I really appreciate your reply.
Actually the switch looks easier than taking apart everything to hunt for a vacuum leak.
I will let you know how it goes when I fix it in the next month or so.
Thanks again for making these videos.
Much appreciated VERY helpful.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Thanks again for all the great videos.
Actually my 4WD started working again, so I didn't need to fix it.
I'm sure it will probably start working intermittently again over time.
When I eventually need to fix it I will know how to do it 🙂
Question,when I'm driving,sometimes the 4WD light comes on and I hear a growling noise so I put it in 4WD [manual shifter] and it goes away and it's in 4WD what can cause the 4WD light to come on by itself when driving,thank you,it's a 1997 also
That might be a flaky light switch. It might be worth pulling it out and checking.
Did u have a wiring diagram for the 4x4 circuit or did u just know how they worked? I am just wondering because u used positive for the signal test.
I had a circuit diagram.
I have a 99 ford expedition my 4x4 tries to kick in while driving but mostly when I go up a mountain or accelerate all videos say the iwe solenoid is by the battery on the firewall their not their and I don't see them under the hood
Well need to cover intermittent shifting in and out of 4x4. I have went through both videos and it still works sometimes and sometimes not. Everything checks out so far per the videos. The light works it just isn't going into 4x4 without several tries.
will the 4wd light switch be on the electronic dash shift (not floor shift) transfer case?
Wondering the same. Does the manual shift 4wd model just have this part or does the auto 4x4 on the dash have it too? Can’t seem to locate it on my truck. Did you figure it out?
97 f150 esof , I pulled the 2 vacuums off the selonoids by the battery while truck was off the driver side one I heard lots of suction disappear when I pulled it off, not any suction on passenger side , but when I went to start the truck again it won't start now . What could have happened? I don't need any more problems
I would backtrack and make sure you didn't dislodge a connector or a battery cable. Those vacuum lines couldn't be the problem.
Mines doing the same but I have electronic switch ?
Same here. Did you figure out the issue. Does the manual style 4wd just have this part or does the auto twist knob have it as well?
Thanks for the info I have a 2001 F150 stick shift 5 speed sometimes when shift into 4x4 it doesn't work but the 4x4 light is on but the truck doesn't engage and this only seems to happen when i get stuck in 2 wheel drive and at that point i shift into 4x4 and the 4x4 light is on but the truck doesn't engage into 4x4 what you're opinion on this thank you i appreciate hearing back from you thanks
I would check for vacuum at the solenoids first. A leak in the vacuum reservoir led a similar problem with my 2000.
@@TheOriginalMechanic thanks I will check that today I appreciate you getting back with me thank you
my vac was fine what now
Do you know if a 2006 f150 has the 4x4 light switch? I can’t find it that easily like you did.
did you find it? I have an 04 and mine is not located in the same spot at the video's
But. You. Find. It??
My 4wd light won't come on at all or engage or anything. Should I start by checking the transfer case switch or checking vacuum?
I think the switch is both easier to check and more likely to be the cause.
Did your light come on when first turning key on then prove out?, mine will not come on at all
I have a 2005 Ford F-150 I put it in low range 4x4 accidentally and it wouldn't come out. I took off the little accuator motor and manually with a wrench turned it clockwise to 2 wheel drive that was easy. But then my low 4x4 light stayed on on the dashboard. It seemed to be out of 4x4 but the transfer case still seemed to be in low range, I couldn't get any speed out of it 20 mph max and it didn't shift. Any idea what the problem might be ? Thanks
My experience is limited to what I did in this video. Your issue gives me suspicions about the transfer case itself.
@@TheOriginalMechanic Okay to be clear I wasn't moving when I engaged it. I accidentally turned the 4x4 switch instead of the fan switch when I started out in the vehicle. Thanks for your time, I was beginning to wonder the same as you suspected but I didn't figure from a parked position that was real likely... That said I can't remember if I've ever used 4x4 low @ all in the past...
Quick question for you. I have a 04 f150 with a 4.6. The light for the 4x4 stays on in 2wd in park and when i put it in drive and neutral the light goes out. I have a manual shifter for the 4x4 no buttons or switches. I get vaccum in the solenoid for the 4x4 and ground from the computer in drive and reverse. What else is in the system to check. Any help will be great. Thank you
I would check out the light switch as shown in this video. It fairly easy to remove and check (at least in the my 2000 5.4).
The Original Mechanic i did remove it and check that and it was working fine but ill double check. Thank you
So I have a 1999 for f-150 no 4x4 dash light good vacuum , voltage on the control signal, 12v on one side 15v on the other. when I engage the dash switch from 4x2 to 4x4 no difference in voltage and no dash light no click and no 4x4 engagement. not sure what to do next? should I change the Gem Module? It has a new PCM reprogrammed by ford but they won't touch this problem
Thanks
.
I would check out the light switch. It isn't too hard to pull out and test.
Hi great video. Do you know if the turn knob 4x4 version has the same switch that you replaced ? Or do the manual on the floor 4x4 only have this part? I have the shift on the fly style. Thanks a lot !
My 2002 the 4x4 light in dash will not come on nor will it prove out, only the low range light proves out, I dont think a switch is the cause, as in the beginning of this video i can see it prove out quickly
I agree. May be a problem in the vacuum part of the system.
Hey bud my 4x4 in my 97 doesn't work and I ran the tests the light doesn't come on and I don't hear the motor turning but the gem module seems to work fine, could the light switch cause the same issue that is if the electronic ones have a switch, I'm getting main vacuum input just nothing else when flipping a switch but clicking noises.
This video covers a mechanical switching system and I don't have experience with the electronic motorized systems.
@@TheOriginalMechanic ok bud thanks
Would you happen to know why the axles on my 97 F150 4-wheel drive turn all the time? My solenoids are working and my actuator seems to be working
I've never seen that. If you've cleared the solenoids and actuator and switch, I would suspect the front axle is mechanically stuck, if that's possible.
@@TheOriginalMechanic what do you mean the switch? I lock it in 4-wheel drive with a gear shifter in the floor board. Are the front CV joints supposed to turn all the time?
@@garygrigg422 yes they are connected to the cv axles but not ingaged until you switch to 4x4
Is this the same in a 2004? My 4wd works fine but no dash light. It isn't burnt out, comes on at start. Any ideas?
I don't know. When mine acted up the four wheel drive didn't work.
The Original Mechanic k thx I'll keep searching
It was the vacuum solenoid on the firewall replaced it and lights on. All good.
There was no issues with your transfer case motor? Just the switch?
That's correct. On my truck the switch was the problem.
3:57 can someone tell me where the switch is located on an 04 F150?? The manual shows it is the same location as an 03 and I cannot see it. It's driving me crazy
the lightswitch would stop it from the truck going into 4wd?
That was my experience.
The Original Mechanic thank you so much. I was knocking my head against the fender over this
You're welcome. I had a pretty good knot on my head too, until I found and replaced this switch.
That happen in 4x4 automatic?
Thanks so much !! 🙏
So... did you have two problems? Vacuum loss and a bad switch?
Yes, I had to fix one problem to find out there was another keeping the 4WD from working.
Great video. My awd light comes on when I put 4x4 low or 4x4 high. I gonna use your vids to hopefully find problem
Thanks and I hope this helps you get it working again.
Thank you
What. Year. Is Tha. Truck. And. The. Video
I made this video of a 2000 F150 in 2017.
Good job!
Did this legitimately fix your issue? I have exactly the same thing going on with my truck
Yes it did.
@@TheOriginalMechanic so I did not change out the part yet but we're you having an issue with it as where it tries to engage but doesn't? My issue is that i tried to use it and I had nothing working. So I checked vaccum and power and could not get a test light to indicate that I had ground from the 4wd solenoid connector as you had in the video as well. Then miraculously I tried it the other day and it is acting like it's trying to engage but fails to engage each time. What do you think I should check next?
@@nathanamende8724 Mine was either on or off. It was intermittent. The switch is fairly easy to change and as I showed in the video, they are prone to fail mechanically.
Nathan Amende I’m having the same problem but my 4x4 lights come on, but my 4x4 works some of the time and some times not, any idea?
Jake Dyer did you ever figure out why?
I wanted to see you take the ball out and see what was causing the sticking
tks bro
After having my 4x4 motor replaced and it still not working, I went through all these steps only to find that my (former) mechanic didn't plug the motor in.
He definitely earned the title "former mechanic"
awesome
We're is itat
Huh, I went to great to great pains to show the location in the video. If it isn't there you might have a different set up on your truck.
So if the light switch isn't working it will stop the solenoids from switching to 4-wheel drive ? I did that exact same test and when I turn the switch on my Dash to four wheel drive it's not sending the signal to switch solenoids.
That's my experience. The light switch activates 4-wheel drive. It has more important functions than merely operating the light.