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Transfer case stuck in 4WD low

Tiny
RWPADDZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I turn switch to 2wd will not shift out 4wd low.
Saturday, November 17th, 2018 AT 7:14 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

When you shift, is the transmission in neutral? Also, do you hear any noise from the actuator on the transfer case?

Check fuse 111 in the passenger compartment fuse box. Also, in the auxiliary relay box, locate both 4wd relays. Switch them with other relays with the same part numbers to see if it makes a difference. The relay box is under the hood (driver's side). See picture 4.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, November 17th, 2018 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
RWPADDZ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Can the coil on the actuator be bad? Can you just replace the coil or the hole actuator has to be replace?
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Sunday, November 18th, 2018 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If you are getting power to the actuator, then yes it is most likely the problem. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot purchase that part separately.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, November 18th, 2018 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
SHAWN.SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD F-150
My wife recently informed me that my truck is stuck in four wheel drive low. She recently took a three hundred mile trip and on the way back she hit a snow storm and had to kick it in four wheel drive. She tried switching in/out of Hi and Low and it still remains locked in the Low position. My truck has a 6" Pro-Comp suspension lift with custom gears in the rear. I also have a super-chips module installed and I have it programmed to 87 Octane and Gear ratio 4.53, I believe. I am not even sure what size gears I have in the rear because when I bought the truck the dealer did not know what size. When I programmed the super-chip I uploaded the 4.53 ratio. Would this have an effect on the gears or the four wheel drive problem?
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANITES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
In my 2004 F-150 you have to put the truck in neutral and then press the brake until you hear it disengage.
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MECHMONSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, he is correct. The vehicle must be completely stopped with the foot on the brake and the transmission in neutral (not in park) before you can disengage the 4x4 Low. This is not necessary to do if you are in 4x4 Hi. This is all described in your owners manual pg. 167.
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELREE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD F-150
I had to use my 4x4 low today. Now it will not come out of four wheel drive. It has the switch type on the dash. The indicator light stays on for 4 low and stays in 4 low.
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-1
Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
It sounds like the transfer case actuator is not working right here is the instructions so you can check it out or replace it.

If equipped with air suspension, turn air suspension OFF. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect shift motor electrical connector on transfer case. Remove coil wire electrical spacer. Using electrical connector pin remover, remove coil wire and pin. Remove 4 shift motor attaching bolts, and remove shift motor. To install, reverse removal procedure.
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WHIGHTOWER
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
I had this problem and had to replace the the actuator worked!
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVIN SNOW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 233,270 MILES
When you take the actuator off the transfer case how far do you turn the shaft that sticks out for the transfer case? It is stuck in 4 low. Do you turn the shaft half a turn to go to two wheel high or full turn? I want to know that way I will know if it going in to gear. I tried it once but when I started the motor and put into gear and the into park it started grinding. I do not think I turned the shift far enough.
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
The problem with this is that without the actuator the case can move easily and drop into gear on its own which is likely what you had happen. There are no locking detents in the case like the manual cases used. The motor sets the position and holds the shift levers in place using the rotating cam in the case. Plus there is a clutch that gets a signal from the actuator as well and it will cause issues if you just remove the actuator. That is one of the problems with that system, the way it works it has to have the actuator or you will damage the case and its gearing.
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Monday, April 12th, 2021 AT 12:14 PM (Merged)

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