Thanks man! Just bought a used 4x4 F-150 and thought I had been had because the 4x4 worked during the test drive and then went out on me. I did what you said in the video and it works like nothing was ever wrong. Thanks a lot! This is what TH-cam was made for!
Just found this, I did all the steps necessary and also cycled through 4x2, 4A, 4H, and 4L a couple times before finally my 4Low kicked in and works finally, the error message still shows but 4Low works great now, thanks for the video!
I just did this with my 2009 and it worked. When I pulled the switch the gear underneath came out also. It also has a”v” shaped alignment so it slipped right in. I marked the position of the plate with two marker lines before taking it out to make alignment easier when putting it back in. Also, easier to put the “O” ring on the transfer case first to reinsert the part. Thanks for the video.
2010 F150. It worked!!.I Did 2 out of 3 steps. Couldn't get the wiring harness to unplug and didn't want to force it. Thank you so much for such an easy fix.
Holy cow! Thank you sooo much for doing this video, my sons 4WD hasn’t worked on his 2010 for a month now and I thought I was going to have to spend hundreds at a shop to get it fixed…. NOPE, this worked and took me 5 minutes to fix! Great and helpful video.
I was backing out at my parents place and got stuck in the mud while it was pouring rain. Tried to put it in 4x4 and got this same BS code. Had to rock it back and forth a few dozen times and finally got out of the mud. Made it home and I'm definitely trying this in the morning. UPDATE: So I climbed under and tried this out. The little shaft your supposed to spin was not stuck or squeaky, it actually was very very easy to turn. Turned it a bunch in both directions, reinstalled and jumped in the truck and it said, "4 wheel shift in Progress"!!! Then it gave me the "Check 4x4", but it at least was trying to. I removed the negative terminal to the battery for 10 minutes to reset the computer and plugged it back in. Fired up the truck and tried again and... IT WORKS!!! Thanks for the tip, friend. I'm actually pretty shocked a "trick" from the internet actually worked. Lol
Just seeing this comment but glad it worked! I've had to do it to my truck again since this video so I'm considering replacing that whole actuator at some point (probably whenever this trick stops working lol)
Thanks so much ! 1st day driving out in winter storm conditions and this video was so critical to enabling me to get on the road to pick my wife up from work . Worked like a charm . Quick fix just like he said . 😊
Perfect!!! My 4x4 has not been working for over a year and got stuck a few times. Saw your video and gave it a shot before taking it in and it worked like a charm! Thank you so much! 2010 F150 XLT 4x4.
I did this for several years, but as soon as winter comes in my neck of the woods and the roads are wet, it causes problems again. I finally just replaced the whole unit the other day.
2010 F150 It did work. 2010 has a little extra step. The 2010 does not have a small center pin to spin. The center is about 10x bigger and has a hollow end in the shape of a pear. Your gear has a housing where the 2010 gear is exposed. After lining up the end to put back in, it shifted right into 4H and then 4L. Thank you so much for your video!!
GREAT video! I had the very same issue with my truck. I pulled the sensor, cleaned and turned the shaft and gave the connector a spritz with contact cleaner. Reassembled and the truck works perfectly! I didn't even need to disconnect the battery. Thanks!!!
So, I have been having issues with this for awhile. Wish I found this video sooner. Replaced vacume lines, actuators, motor. Problems still there. I tried this trick last night and IT WORKED. WTH. Thanks man. Woohooo
Good to hear. I would make a habit of putting it in 4 low every few weeks to a month or so just to keep it working good. Mine is still doing well also after all this time.
Well in all fairness to a shop, they would have probably just changed the part and not messed around with something like this but it's definitely a free way to get it back going. Mines still doing great, seems like using the 4x4 once or twice a month is also good practice to keep it going.
@luisrios4050 yeah these trucks don't like 4x4 on the pavement unless your pulling straight ahead at low speed. But with the IWEs and the actuator on the transfer case you really should try to get it into 4 low once a month or so just to keep everything moving freely.
I have watched this video several times but I got my 4x4 to work by switching into 4x4 High several times quickly. My screen showed the Check 4x4 message like it did in the video but it did go into 4x4 high. I sure the trick of and restarted and the message was gone. I have been in the habit of checking the 4x4 activation to make sure that it works. I will be checking more often now. Truck has almost 170,000 miles. Hopefully this works for you... saved me a trip under the truck. Hopefully it keeps working, otherwise I be sliding under the truck.
My 4x4 on my 09 KR has not worked for sometime. I recently began seeing “2x4” briefly light up in cluster when starting my truck. Is that just the light proving out? I don’t recall ever seeing it. It doesn’t stay lit, only when turning the key. Thanks
Nice mine is still working fine too, I'm sure the actuator will eventually need replaced but using 4x4 once or twice a month has seemed to help keep the problem from coming back.
Good job. You work on things but don't tear stuff up. I have a feeling these 4x4 systems sit so much instead of the parts being activated that bits of corrosion etc can set up. Got a 2014 yesterday that somebody broke the dash 4x4-4x2 rotary switch knob off. It still lines back up and rotates. Thinking about applying strong super glue to the broken posts and see if it will go a bit longer. : ) If anyone has encountered that?
That's exactly the issue, the average person needs 4x4 maybe a couple times a year. I try to use mine once every couple of weeks now and it seems to help keep it in operation. On the switch, a cheap amazon one is around $20 and would be a good thing to have incase your glue idea doesn't work out. amzn.to/3VPwaQV there's options if you have the diff lock or don't.
@@BCDriven : Thanks for the link BC. Guess what . . cleaned off the two broken plastic posts with alcohol, mixed up a batch of original JB Weld, applied only to the posts, and inserted back into position. Rigged up a walking stick with a pad on the end to apply slight pressure to the rotary switch into the dash for 24 hours. Voila! She's fixed Southern Style. Of course, it may break tomorrow, but it was easy and fun. Thanks for the inspiration. Now I'm fighting a real battle - a 2015 6.7 powerstroke that starts making a terrible buzzing noise- seems to be connected to the transmission but no drivability differences. Suspect something loose. Need help to find it probably unless I am able to step up my DIY game.
Doing this right now on my 2018 F150. Hopefully it works EDIT: It worked but have a faulty connection for the plug that’s by the transfer case motor. Will fix in the morning.
Yeah that actuator should have some grease in it that may be getting too stiff or have some residual moisture in it that's freezing and the heat just loosens it up enough to go. Usually if something that is supposed to move is stuck some combination of heating and beating will get it going.
It's not so much as it's getting in a bind as it is the sensor loosing it's reading. If you took apart the thing I was spinning it would most likely have a wiper style potentiometer that varies the resistance causing a proportional voltage drop that is reported back to the ECU to tell it that the 4x4 shift was successful. I think the deal with spinning it back and forth is mostly to help "clean" the wiper of that potentiometer. You wouldn't want any type of moisture or lubricant in there that could interfere with this circuitry.
Good deal, keep using it once or twice a month to help keep it working. Mine is still working great since making this video. I feel like it's kind of a bandaid to put off replacing that actuator but heck I'm all for it lol
Probably so, the actuator doesnt have to move to go into 4 hi. Could also just be a bad actuator but I mean it doesn't hurt to try this seeing how it's free and takes less that 10 minutes to do.
At least for my truck, when this was messed up 4 Hi still worked good but would still give the wrench symbol, when you put it in low it would just flash the wrench and stay in 4 HI. This part would be the culprit if you put it in low range and it doesn't go into low range. The vacuum hubs are a common failure but I don't know if they would give you the check 4x4 message. Regardless, it's free and takes less than 10 minutes to try so can't hurt to give it a run.
Maybe so lol I've never been a big brand guy. I would say I'm maybe a little more biased towards the blue oval but mostly because of the issues the others have.
Hahahahaha if it’s domestic, it’s junk now days. Although I have 320k on my ‘11 screw and she still runs close to that she did with 60k. Chevrolet would’ve have 2 4l60’s replaced by now.
I'm glad my asking helps a lot of people.im going to get my son to try it when he comes home. Now.on.to the next problem my 81 in TV won't come on pictures is clear ,,,, but won't stay on I unplugged my plug back it would come on ,, but now the Sony keeps circling .
To each, their own.. or whatever that saying is lol I didn't replace my actuator but have used aftermarket parts in tons of applications. It's kind of a gamble but at the cost difference vs oem it usually makes sense for me to go aftermarket on something easy to change like this. If it's something I have hours and hours of teardown to replace yeah it's likely going to be oem but again, different strokes for different folks.
I work 10 minutes from home and the closest fuel station is 20 minutes the opposite direction. Pair that with an exceptional skill for procrastination and you end up here lol (my gas light is currently on again 😅)
If it's not shifting to 4 lo, set the parking brake and lay under it and feel the motor when someone else shifts it from 4 hi to 4 lo. You should be able to hear and feel it actuate. If it doesnt actuate, get a multimeter and start diagnosing the connector. I'm not sure the exact pinout but one pin should go from 0 to 12v when the switch is turned to 4 lo. If there is no change in the voltage on any pin of the connector then you likely have a bad switch on the dash. Hope that helps a bit.
Thanks man! Just bought a used 4x4 F-150 and thought I had been had because the 4x4 worked during the test drive and then went out on me. I did what you said in the video and it works like nothing was ever wrong. Thanks a lot! This is what TH-cam was made for!
Just found this, I did all the steps necessary and also cycled through 4x2, 4A, 4H, and 4L a couple times before finally my 4Low kicked in and works finally, the error message still shows but 4Low works great now, thanks for the video!
Update, error message gone now and all 4x4 modes work flawless
I just did this with my 2009 and it worked. When I pulled the switch the gear underneath came out also. It also has a”v” shaped alignment so it slipped right in. I marked the position of the plate with two marker lines before taking it out to make alignment easier when putting it back in. Also, easier to put the “O” ring on the transfer case first to reinsert the part. Thanks for the video.
2010 F150. It worked!!.I Did 2 out of 3 steps. Couldn't get the wiring harness to unplug and didn't want to force it. Thank you so much for such an easy fix.
Thanks for coming back and commenting! Glad it got you fixed up!
Holy cow! Thank you sooo much for doing this video, my sons 4WD hasn’t worked on his 2010 for a month now and I thought I was going to have to spend hundreds at a shop to get it fixed…. NOPE, this worked and took me 5 minutes to fix! Great and helpful video.
Glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for the comment!
I was backing out at my parents place and got stuck in the mud while it was pouring rain. Tried to put it in 4x4 and got this same BS code.
Had to rock it back and forth a few dozen times and finally got out of the mud. Made it home and I'm definitely trying this in the morning.
UPDATE: So I climbed under and tried this out. The little shaft your supposed to spin was not stuck or squeaky, it actually was very very easy to turn. Turned it a bunch in both directions, reinstalled and jumped in the truck and it said, "4 wheel shift in Progress"!!! Then it gave me the "Check 4x4", but it at least was trying to. I removed the negative terminal to the battery for 10 minutes to reset the computer and plugged it back in. Fired up the truck and tried again and... IT WORKS!!!
Thanks for the tip, friend. I'm actually pretty shocked a "trick" from the internet actually worked. Lol
Just seeing this comment but glad it worked! I've had to do it to my truck again since this video so I'm considering replacing that whole actuator at some point (probably whenever this trick stops working lol)
Thank you for posting! Done just like you said, then took neg battery cable off, put back. The 4X4 works like nothing was ever wrong! 2010 F-150
Nice! Glad it worked on the 10' model.
Just tried it. It worked for me. I didn’t need to disconnect the battery to clear the code. Thanks for the post!
Awesome, thanks for taking the time to comment and letting us know how it went!
Thanks so much ! 1st day driving out in winter storm conditions and this video was so critical to enabling me to get on the road to pick my wife up from work . Worked like a charm . Quick fix just like he said . 😊
Great to hear! Funny enough I can usually see the correlation between an influx of views and winter storms in this video's analytics
All I can say is you are the man. Thank you for this. I’ve had a check 4x4 message for 2 years and this fixed it.
@utahgeoff good deal 👌 Glad you got it fixed up! Put your truck in 4 low once or twice a month and it'll help keep it working.
Perfect!!! My 4x4 has not been working for over a year and got stuck a few times. Saw your video and gave it a shot before taking it in and it worked like a charm! Thank you so much! 2010 F150 XLT 4x4.
Nice! Good to hear and thanks for commenting with your truck info.
I did this for several years, but as soon as winter comes in my neck of the woods and the roads are wet, it causes problems again. I finally just replaced the whole unit the other day.
WOW, this is amazing, 10 minutes and its fixed, great post
Glad it worked for you man
2010 F150 It did work. 2010 has a little extra step. The 2010 does not have a small center pin to spin. The center is about 10x bigger and has a hollow end in the shape of a pear. Your gear has a housing where the 2010 gear is exposed. After lining up the end to put back in, it shifted right into 4H and then 4L. Thank you so much for your video!!
Thanks for the additional info on your year model. 👍 Glad it worked for you man.
I just bought one last night the wrench light came on and it won’t shift properly now almost as if I’m stuck on 1st or 2nd.
any tips?
GREAT video! I had the very same issue with my truck. I pulled the sensor, cleaned and turned the shaft and gave the connector a spritz with contact cleaner. Reassembled and the truck works perfectly! I didn't even need to disconnect the battery. Thanks!!!
Glad it helped! Thanks for leaving a comment.
What did you use to clean it?
So, I have been having issues with this for awhile. Wish I found this video sooner. Replaced vacume lines, actuators, motor. Problems still there. I tried this trick last night and IT WORKED. WTH. Thanks man. Woohooo
Well at least you know all the other components in the system are up to spec lol Thanks for checking in and letting us know it worked.
@BC Driven I did ALL three steps and it fixed my problem. It’s been a week with a couple hundred miles and so far,so good! Thanks!!!😊😊😊
Good to hear. I would make a habit of putting it in 4 low every few weeks to a month or so just to keep it working good. Mine is still doing well also after all this time.
This video just saved my 4wheel drive. Thanks for the tip
Nice thanks for watching and commenting
even a 16 year old can do it!😂 2010 f150 XL, this worked like a charm, didn’t even have to disconnect the battery, thanks man!
Just tested this on my truck and it did work. Thanks for the great video
Thanks man!!!! It worked on a 2017 f150. A shop would have probably charged hundreds for this simple fix.
Well in all fairness to a shop, they would have probably just changed the part and not messed around with something like this but it's definitely a free way to get it back going. Mines still doing great, seems like using the 4x4 once or twice a month is also good practice to keep it going.
Also thanks for the comment and letting others know it worked on your year model. I wasn't sure if it was the same for the 15+ models.
@@BCDriven oh ok, it's my first time owning a 4x4 vehicle so that's a good tip. I was told to not use it on the pavement though.
@luisrios4050 yeah these trucks don't like 4x4 on the pavement unless your pulling straight ahead at low speed. But with the IWEs and the actuator on the transfer case you really should try to get it into 4 low once a month or so just to keep everything moving freely.
@@BCDriven Will do! Thanks! 👍
Amazing! Worked on my f150 2011! Didn’t need to disconnect the battery even! Thank you my friend!
@jeremyfleming2164 Nice! I bet sometimes it'll just reset itself when it shifts properly once or twice.
Thanks,that worked, had my doubts, I said what the hell 5 mins later fixed👍
Just tried it,…works like a charm!
Thanks, bud!
Glad you got it fixed up! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Oh, you said, "Ate me some lunch." I played that back 10 times, had a HELL of a time understanding what you said. Now I got ya.
@jimihendrix1575 yeah that step isn't necessary but it does help lol
@@BCDriven Now I'm hungry!
I have watched this video several times but I got my 4x4 to work by switching into 4x4 High several times quickly. My screen showed the Check 4x4 message like it did in the video but it did go into 4x4 high. I sure the trick of and restarted and the message was gone. I have been in the habit of checking the 4x4 activation to make sure that it works. I will be checking more often now. Truck has almost 170,000 miles. Hopefully this works for you... saved me a trip under the truck. Hopefully it keeps working, otherwise I be sliding under the truck.
This worked for me. Thanks for posting!!!
That did the trick for me. Thanks for the comment
Thank you, great money saver! Slightly different on ‘09 F150 but same principle.
Yes it works. Unfortunately for me 2 of the 3 T 15 screws broke and I purchased a new shifter motor.
OmG thanks so much! This fix worked for my 2010 FX4 as well!!!
Nice, glad it worked 👍
My 4x4 on my 09 KR has not worked for sometime. I recently began seeing “2x4” briefly light up in cluster when starting my truck. Is that just the light proving out? I don’t recall ever seeing it. It doesn’t stay lit, only when turning the key. Thanks
I was about to buy the part and seen this video and I can’t believe it actually worked
Nice mine is still working fine too, I'm sure the actuator will eventually need replaced but using 4x4 once or twice a month has seemed to help keep the problem from coming back.
I have the same problem. Gonna try it when I get off work.
Good luck, it'll either work or it won't 🤣🤣
@@BCDriven I had to replace my check valve earlier this year so I’m hoping I don’t have to replace anything else.
Thanks for the confirmation. Need to try it myself now.
Give it a go and report back!
Worked for me! 2010 Expy. Watch that the drive gear doesn't come out with the sensor plate.
Nice! May only be a temporary fix or a fluke but it's still working great for me. I do try to use my 4x4 at least once or twice a month now too.
Also good advice on watching out for the gear falling out.
Yup! It really works. Thanks my guy ✌️
May not be a permanent solution but it's hard to beat a quick fix lol
Good stuff just tried it out on my 2010 and worked
Great to hear, thanks for the report
Good job. You work on things but don't tear stuff up. I have a feeling these 4x4 systems sit so much instead of the parts being activated that bits of corrosion etc can set up. Got a 2014 yesterday that somebody broke the dash 4x4-4x2 rotary switch knob off. It still lines back up and rotates. Thinking about applying strong super glue to the broken posts and see if it will go a bit longer. : ) If anyone has encountered that?
That's exactly the issue, the average person needs 4x4 maybe a couple times a year. I try to use mine once every couple of weeks now and it seems to help keep it in operation. On the switch, a cheap amazon one is around $20 and would be a good thing to have incase your glue idea doesn't work out. amzn.to/3VPwaQV there's options if you have the diff lock or don't.
@@BCDriven : Thanks for the link BC. Guess what . . cleaned off the two broken plastic posts with alcohol, mixed up a batch of original JB Weld, applied only to the posts, and inserted back into position. Rigged up a walking stick with a pad on the end to apply slight pressure to the rotary switch into the dash for 24 hours. Voila! She's fixed Southern Style. Of course, it may break tomorrow, but it was easy and fun. Thanks for the inspiration.
Now I'm fighting a real battle - a 2015 6.7 powerstroke that starts making a terrible buzzing noise- seems to be connected to the transmission but no drivability differences. Suspect something loose. Need help to find it probably unless I am able to step up my DIY game.
About to try this. Thanks. Ill keep ya posted.
Good luck! Hopefully it works well for you!
Worked like a charm. Thanks!
Kind of crazy it works even if it is potentially just a temporary fix.
Thanks mine was not working but now it is thanks again
Worked for me too, and the warning light went away in its own; no need to disconnect the battery for me.
$100 my ass most shops charge $250 just to look at it. Good job I’ll try it
Doing this right now on my 2018 F150. Hopefully it works
EDIT: It worked but have a faulty connection for the plug that’s by the transfer case motor. Will fix in the morning.
My ford 2010 if it’s super cold out side my truck won’t go in a lot of times it will say check 4x4 then after I drive little bit it works
Yeah that actuator should have some grease in it that may be getting too stiff or have some residual moisture in it that's freezing and the heat just loosens it up enough to go. Usually if something that is supposed to move is stuck some combination of heating and beating will get it going.
Nailed it !! THANKS
Mine wasnt that but guys the connectors there get corrorided i just fixed mine unplug it a few timess and clean the pins now mine works
It worked for me! However after a couple of weeks is not working again😢
Just worked for me. Thanks
What about some lubricant like WD-40 for a longer fix? Wouldn't that help?
It's not so much as it's getting in a bind as it is the sensor loosing it's reading. If you took apart the thing I was spinning it would most likely have a wiper style potentiometer that varies the resistance causing a proportional voltage drop that is reported back to the ECU to tell it that the 4x4 shift was successful. I think the deal with spinning it back and forth is mostly to help "clean" the wiper of that potentiometer. You wouldn't want any type of moisture or lubricant in there that could interfere with this circuitry.
Got it. Thanks
it works again 👌🏻
Good deal, keep using it once or twice a month to help keep it working. Mine is still working great since making this video. I feel like it's kind of a bandaid to put off replacing that actuator but heck I'm all for it lol
Worked great..thanks
Good deal, thanks for leaving a comment.
Thanks Dude!!!
Yes you have to clear the codes.
Mine does this only going into 4 lo I wonder if this is my problem
Probably so, the actuator doesnt have to move to go into 4 hi. Could also just be a bad actuator but I mean it doesn't hurt to try this seeing how it's free and takes less that 10 minutes to do.
You work on a Dodge?
It would make a perfect video.
Ive got a dakota Im doing a motor swap on but not videoing it due to time
Thank you kind sir
I was told I need 2 new hubs...should I try this first?
At least for my truck, when this was messed up 4 Hi still worked good but would still give the wrench symbol, when you put it in low it would just flash the wrench and stay in 4 HI. This part would be the culprit if you put it in low range and it doesn't go into low range. The vacuum hubs are a common failure but I don't know if they would give you the check 4x4 message. Regardless, it's free and takes less than 10 minutes to try so can't hurt to give it a run.
is this towards the front or back of the truck?
You go under the truck at the middle near the back of the driver's door and look towards the front of the truck.
Will this work on a 2004?
Im about to go try it
did it work? I may try this today.
Can’t believe this just worked. Be careful when pulling that out, there wa a ottle gear that came out with mine. No biggie though
Worked !
Glad it worked for you, Thanks for the feedback!
They don't circle the problem they circle the answer
Maybe so lol I've never been a big brand guy. I would say I'm maybe a little more biased towards the blue oval but mostly because of the issues the others have.
@@BCDriven they all have issues. We just like to joke with each other
Hahahahaha if it’s domestic, it’s junk now days. Although I have 320k on my ‘11 screw and she still runs close to that she did with 60k. Chevrolet would’ve have 2 4l60’s replaced by now.
I have a similar issue but I think it’s actually my shift motor going bad🤦🏼♂️
At least it's easy to change lol
Good video thanks
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm glad my asking helps a lot of people.im going to get my son to try it when he comes home. Now.on.to the next problem my 81 in TV won't come on pictures is clear ,,,, but won't stay on I unplugged my plug back it would come on ,, but now the Sony keeps circling .
Does this work on 11th gen
I don't know for sure but if it has a similar style transfer case actuator I bet it would
I will get my son to try it
Cool. However, I would NEVER USE An Aftermarket Part in that Location. Hopefully that don't come back on ya.
To each, their own.. or whatever that saying is lol I didn't replace my actuator but have used aftermarket parts in tons of applications. It's kind of a gamble but at the cost difference vs oem it usually makes sense for me to go aftermarket on something easy to change like this. If it's something I have hours and hours of teardown to replace yeah it's likely going to be oem but again, different strokes for different folks.
I do appreciate you watching and commenting as well.
Geez buddy, put some fuel in it lol. Costs just as much to keep it full as it does empty...edit: thanks for the vid gunna try it on my truck
I work 10 minutes from home and the closest fuel station is 20 minutes the opposite direction. Pair that with an exceptional skill for procrastination and you end up here lol (my gas light is currently on again 😅)
@@BCDriven haha
hay guys am i the only one seeing that long crack in the T case cover?
Just a casting mark, I went under there to check it after re watching the video.
@@BCDriven ok good that made me sad for you glad it was nothing
WD40?
All em do it
I put a new motor on and still nothing.
If it's not shifting to 4 lo, set the parking brake and lay under it and feel the motor when someone else shifts it from 4 hi to 4 lo. You should be able to hear and feel it actuate. If it doesnt actuate, get a multimeter and start diagnosing the connector. I'm not sure the exact pinout but one pin should go from 0 to 12v when the switch is turned to 4 lo. If there is no change in the voltage on any pin of the connector then you likely have a bad switch on the dash. Hope that helps a bit.
What lubricant can you use