how many solenoids are used to actuate the 4x4? - Diesel Forum

Junkers88 · 01-26-2013, 11:42 AM

Called Ford today to find out what is going to be done about my 4x4 STILL not working and was told that I'd need to bring it back in so they can see if one of the other solenoids that activate the 4x4 had gone out. I'd kind of like to know how many there are so that I'm not paying for one to be replaced a couple of times.

So far they've replaced a solenoid (1500$) and said it worked. When I tested it myself it didn't work so they decided to replace all the seals in the front end (100$ under ESP) and said it worked. When I tried it out it did not engage again and here we are.

Than you in advance.

**klhansen** · 01-26-2013, 12:24 PM

There's only one solenoid in the ESOF system. It's the one located just behind the passenger side battery (at least on the 7.3L's). It controls the vacuum pulse to the auto-locking hubs.

$1500 to replace that solenoid is INSANE!!!! The part costs less than $100 IIRC. For that price, they would have spent all day trying to figure out what was going on (you could have done that yourself with a littel help from TDS members). But what they might have done is replace the t-case shift motor. The motor is controlled using two relays which are electronically activated, and could be diagnosed in an hour or so if it was truly bad.

You might want to take it somewhere that actually knows what they're doing instead of screwing around swapping parts.

Junkers88 · 01-26-2013, 01:27 PM

To add insult to injury......... was outside a few minutes ago trying to do some self diagnosis of the truck and found a few things.

1) The little vac pump ran the entire time unless I pulled the hose off of the black nipple (also goes into a large black box looking thing right behind the passengers side batter) and put my finger on it. Once I put my finger on it it stops.

2) Found a really really small hole on the hose on the other nipple (kind of a yellow color) and when I fixed that the pump turns off faster than it did before.

and....

3) The divers side vac line that goes from the hub to that little connection, the hose is like 5 inches long, has a split in it. I'm guessing that damn hose has been a problem for a while and I even asked the Ford guys to check all the lines first, I was told they were fine..

I'll be buying a small piece of hose to replace that one and see if it works.

rock_doctor · 01-26-2013, 02:01 PM

If you don't get it working yourself I would bite the bullet and take it to an independent 4x4 shop. You probably can wait for it. It is basically the same system that all manufacturers have used at one time or another.

Junkers88 · 01-26-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock_doctor

If you don't get it working yourself I would bite the bullet and take it to an independent 4x4 shop. You probably can wait for it. It is basically the same system that all manufacturers have used at one time or another.

I'd love to but up here the only independent place is "Exhaust Pros" and they are less than helpful with anything other than an oil change or a new muffler. Oh they advertise a ton of services but I've been in that shop once, once was enough. If I can't get it done on my own I'll wait till I'm back in Boise and get it done there.

**klhansen** · 01-26-2013, 02:18 PM

Yeah that vacuum leak would cause the front hubs to not work. Your HVAC is probably always on defrost also. That's the default position without vacuum applied.

Sounds like you're on the right track to getting it fixed. I think I'd take that piece of split hose and wave it in the Service Manager's face and ask for a refund on the money they wasted for you. At a minimum, the service tech who said the lines were fine would get a stern talking to (aka #$$ chewing). You might even escalate to the General Manager of the dealership. He should be sensitive to getting things done right for their customers.

Junkers88 · 01-26-2013, 03:16 PM

It was the hose. Ran by O'Reilys and grabbed 3 feet of the right size hose, cut a piece to length and put it on and the 4 wheel drive works. The HVAC is takes just a couple of seconds to go from floor to defrost when switched as opposed to 20-30 seconds before.

I'm calling Ford on Monday and getting in someone's butt I think. I mean it could have been the solenoid and the seals and then this.

Thanks again folks.

Ford06 · 01-28-2013, 12:00 PM

But not likely!!

Junkers88 · 01-28-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford06

But not likely!!

From Ford. "Well the solenoid was defiantly bad, probably what happened is that once we fixed that it blew all the seals in the front end. Once the seals were new and installed properly the added stress of a properly sealed system caused that high pressure vacuum line at the hub to rupture. Please feel free to drop the truck back off and we'll re-diagnose at no charge to make sure the rest of the system is up to Ford standard of quality."

Thanks, I'll just keep it here with me and do all my own diagnosis from now on.

gtstang462002 · 01-28-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkers88

From Ford. "Well the solenoid was defiantly bad, probably what happened is that once we fixed that it blew all the seals in the front end. Once the seals were new and installed properly the added stress of a properly sealed system caused that high pressure vacuum line at the hub to rupture. Please feel free to drop the truck back off and we'll re-diagnose at no charge to make sure the rest of the system is up to Ford standard of quality."

Thanks, I'll just keep it here with me and do all my own diagnosis from now on.

I would be on the phone with ford customer service informing them what their dealer is telling you. They will more than likely ask them for that part back to see how bad it really is. This is how dealers end up in warranty counseling. If they end up in warranty counseling too many times within a certain time period they will lose their ability to sell and service the product.

Junkers88 · 01-28-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstang462002

I would be on the phone with ford customer service informing them what their dealer is telling you. They will more than likely ask them for that part back to see how bad it really is. This is how dealers end up in warranty counseling. If they end up in warranty counseling too many times within a certain time period they will lose their ability to sell and service the product.

Sounds good but I can't prove that what they said is wrong. I don't know squat about the seals or the solenoid on the 4x4 systems of these things. I really don't have a leg to stand on. I bought a one ton for a work truck, I'm in construction and not a service tech so I've got nothing to offer as an argument.

**cyclone3565** · 01-29-2013, 08:55 PM

Good Evening,

I fought the ESOF system for a while, including rebuilding my front axle with all new seals. Everything worked great up until I went to test it before xmas as my wife and I were driving to Michigan. Once again it did not engage, for whatever reason. I decided it is time to get rid of the ESOF. I bought a set of Warn Premium hubs, installed them in 15 minutes, capped off the vacuum line in the engine compartment up by the solenoid and could not be happier. So I have to get out and lock it in manually, but I know it is locked.