Ford F150 4WD not working part 1: Troubleshooting loss of vacuum 

Greetings from Park City, Utah! Your videos are a great help to me! I have a 2000 F150 XLT with 175K miles. I got my 4wd back working. My problem was two fold. Vacuum lines snapped behind battery. Fixed broken tube by ordering part XL3Z-3A788-AA from Ford Parts Giant. After fixing that tubing, the whole vacuum system was working except the arm of the 4wd actuator. Went under the truck and discovered a Dorman actuator in place without a boot so the actuator arm was rusty and not moving. Penetrant on the arm of the actuator wouldn’t free it. Ordered a new one from Rock Auto, the WVE 1S10933 and this one is stamped with the Ford logo. Now everything works.

You are one of the very few people who speed to unscrew the bolts and doesn’t have to add 30 minutes to their video so that we can watch you undo bolts!Thank you for respecting your viewers time.

Thank god for this video! No other good videos for 97-03 IWE problems

Thanks for the video man was having issues with my 2002 f150 sometimes it would work and show engaged on dash but still no 4x4 . Air line from silinoid under hood going to actuator was broke. Thanks again got it fixed 5 min after watching this video.

By using your video I diagnosed a bad vacuum solenoid, the one controlling 4WD. I found I had vacuum to supply sides, plus 12 volts going to the solenoids. I removed the solenoids and tested them each with 12 volts. I could hear the solenoid for 2WD activate when given voltage but the 4WD solenoid did not. Replaced it with a new one ($28.00) along with the improved panel with moisture "roof". The 4WD now works thanks to you and your video. Thank you!

On my 2002 F150 the "4x4" light would illuminate even though I had cracked vacuum lines and the actuator was not engaging the 4WD. This video helped me track down the leaks.

Thank you Sir! I'm back up and running. One vacuum line was broken from rubbing on the battery box and the other had a small circular leak where it might have rubbed. Sealed them with a little glue and tape. I'm sure I'll have to do a more permanent fix later but working for now.

While changing fluids, differentials, transfer case and atf, noticed that front differential fluid was very bad looking compared to other cases. While on jack stands, observed that front hubs did not seemed to be disengaging. Only had 3inches vacuum at my solenoid inputs none measurable at solenoid output but did observe small movement at the actuator. Pulled battery and checked vacuum at vacuum box and found about 19 inches. Sealed box like video. Now have 16-17 inches at solenoid at 4wd works properly. Thanks for the video. Also found that my battery had started leaking underneath.

I think I got it now. Great video thanks for explaining things. Gonna go fix my truck now.

Excellent video , very professional. Thanks

Thanks for putting up this series of videos.

This fixed mine 4x4. Thank you so much!!!

I had a problem with mine too. I had to fix a loose wire on the solenoid and then had some cracks in vacuum line got that fix and actuator wasn't holding strong so I got a new actuator... Long story short. I'm good to go for now but I just called the dealership and they got both vacuum harnesses for about $140 in going to look around for a better price but I'm changing out everything.... Nothing worse then not having 4x4 when you need it. Nice video thanks.

Great video! I'm literally going to checkout my truck right now, knowing what to look for. Thanks!

Thank u for the awesome detail. I’m bout to reseal my plastic box as well snd see if it solves my problem

Great troubleshooting video! Helped me!

These kind of cheaply made / built components really amazes me. I guess just as long as someone buys the new trucks and gets them off the dealer lot is all Ford Manufactures wants. Then FORD can have lots of people returning to fix these things. I wonder if these components can survive some mud/dirt! Thanks for creating the video for the DIY'ers. My 4WD has been messing up for a while now...

Just watched your video going to look at two trucks this weekend

Awesome vid!! Just got mine back in order!! thanks!!!

great video i just fixed my truck in les than 30min.thank you!

Totally new to the Electronic/Vacuum operated components. I come from the old mechanical lock in lock out hubs and transfer case. (77 Jeep CJ 7).... I just ventured out and bought a 2003 Ford FX4 off road 4 wheel drive. I've ordered a haynes manual. Right now, I crank the truck and all she will do is reverse. I don't even know where to start. My first impulse is to pull the transmission, but realize that in todays world that may not be neccessary. A gentle "nudge" in the right direction or to a resource would be appreciated.

Great Video. Thanks for the information! God Bless

👍👍👍 thank you so much God bless you

I have watched your video published May 9, 2017. Very good showing how to resolve vacuum leaks. I've got a 1998 f150 4x4 with vacuum tubing problems. Mice got under hood and did some damage to some of the tubing. I can replace most but have a couple of lines that go into the right fender. I can't find where it come out.

Great Job Phil! Tell the wife hi!

Explorers had this system until 1996. After that there was no 2wd drive mode. Things are much more accessible though.

Having trouble with 03 f150. When in 4 WD hard to turn like it’s binding. Have completely new front end components. Wheel bearing, tie rods cv axel shafts,

I changed my actuator, thinking that was the problem and it is working. I changed the transfer case motor and the only difference is now the four-wheel-drive light turned off on the dash but still does not work. When I turn the key on, it clicks five times and then stops if I try to move the vehicle before the clicking stops on the last click if I’m moving, it will sound like it’s trying to engage.

Is that the the 4wd engage. I thought the one closer to drivers side was the 2wd

My auctuator does not move but both hoses have vacuum. My auctuator is missing that rubber boot. Does that rubber boot have to be there to work? I am also noticing that replacement auctuators dont come with that boot.

question 4x4 doesn't engage but 4low will provided power off cycling...'98 f150 xlt 5.8 ... power down suggests electrical to me but which soleniod?

Great video

I have a 98 f250 what won’t shifted into anything for 4wd, I don’t know what to do. Like it’s a manual stick and it won’t move into anything.

My 4x4 light comes on but it's not engaging

Great...!!!👍

Little more info on below question. I installed new vacuum switches. I have vacuum to switches and also to the small vacuum box behind the battery. I get a 4X4 indication on the dash but no 4x4 high as I said, only 4x4 low.

So i have vacuum at both lines at the front axle when in 4wd, therefore the actuator won't move either way. I guess i have a bad solenoid

I just found your video my f150 4+4 my 4 wheel drive light is on but no 4 wheel drive hopefully you can help thanks

i noticed a black line that runs from transfer case all the way up behind the cylonoid on the passenger wall not plug into anything any idea's where it goes

My 4x4 seems to try and engage when making sharp turns. I have followed your video and found nothing except, coming from the four plastic lines from the it goes to 3 and one is a black plastic line that I cannot find the place to engage it, no t lines or open plugs. If you can help I would appreciate it. Thanks Terry

battery acid melted my vacuum lines 01 f150 4weel drive

I just sent you I question and I have the twist electrical lock-in on my four-wheel drive thank you

had 2 codes p155 and p1151 also my 4wd wasn,t working i checked and found leaking vacuum line thanks jim

Great video, very informative.

Found a vacuum line from the right front wheel melted off, cannot find the other end to repair and reconnect, any idea where it should be?

i have electronic 4x4 in a expedition is it the same

If vacuum turns out same, not really fixed items a few 2017 visits to Ford dealer I made until absolutely broke up laughing told guy quit breaking my truck and making me pay to fix repairs didn't need when turned truck in? Oh boy. Makes sense now but my sequences of events I had not connected guy blowing my heat nor engine light initial warning fuel issues to this last 6 or do months of progressively worse problems I can now predict. I ruled out the simple fuel or fuel air mixture issues. But yes all along the guy having replaced my 4w motor, I knew it felt like vacuum. I did have overdrive light blink for few times but not again. It all points to getting under truck and looking if line cracked or if switch not always working it's back to checking the actuator.

Did you have any scraping noise happening when you drove below 40 mph? Heck, mine even tries to "scrape" at 55 mph. I noticed it only occurs when low on RPMs. My actuator isn't engaging almost like yours. It moves about 1/16 and that's it. 4x4 lights come on, but nothing's happening. I got way better vacuum by the little vacuum box than by solenoids(still get vacuum at 2WD and 4WD, but weak). Leaving it all apart and getting some sealant tomorrow. See what happens. Whish me luck!

Is there a way to check those solenoids? I've got vacuum to them, but they dont click when I turn from 2 hi to 4 and vice versa. I havent checked the actuator yet.

Could you or anyone, please tell me where I can get a replacement boot for the vacuum cylinder shaft?

I have vacuum ath both inputs at the two solenoids. But I do not get vacuum on the line at the actuator when in 2wd, only on 4wd line. Do you think it is the solenoid?

I have vacuum but the solenoids dont seem to function for some reason

OK.SO THE PROBLEM WAS THE VACUUM BOX? I DIDNT HEAR YOU SAY THAT?

Great shame on 01 f150 for truck engineers. 🔔 shame! 🔔

Seems so complicated just to engage hubs

My 2003 F150 only shifts to 4x4 low. Will not shift to 4x4 high. Any suggestions?

My truck is very slow when i put it on D you think that can be te transfer case?

Lincoln 4wd not working

When the four-wheel drive light does not come on in the dash 4 wheel drive not working do you know why that would be like that

Shame on ford for using vacuum lines on a drive component

I like old shit. Press a lever and it works or metal breaks. All this plastic shit. Vacuum lines on a 4x4 system. My buddybgot me into ford's, now idk. Shameful.

Once again Ford crap design idea surprise anyone still buys their junk cars and truck