I have a 2005 F150 4x4. I have noticed that when it rains or I go through water and I try to activate my 4x4, it doesn't not engage. The light on the dash does not come on either. This has only happened when it's wet. Any ideas?

 

the IWE solinoid is what turns on the 4x4 light and is also known for other problems such as no 4x4 or hubs trying to engage when in 2wd. replace the solinoid it is on the firewall behind the battery. the new updated one also has a gaurd on it to keep water out of it.

 

Im having trouble engaging 4WD high and low, how much does a solinoid cost?

 

FORD: 2004-2006 F-150
LINCOLN: 2006 Mark LT


ISSUE:
Some 2004-2006 F-150 and 2006 Mark LT 4X4 vehicles built before 4/24/2006 may exhibit a noise in 2 wheel drive from the front Integrated Wheel Ends (IWE) and/or the 4X4 system being inoperative. The IWE solenoid may have ingested water and passed it to the IWE system causing water contamination in the vacuum portion of the system. A shorted IWE solenoid can set the codes C1979 and C1980. If either code is present, the 4WDH light will be inoperative.

ACTION:
Use the following Service Procedure to check and repair the 4X4 system.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Replace the IWE solenoid. Torque the new design bracket and solenoid to 62 lb-in (7 N-m). It will be necessary to remove the vacuum lines from each IWE down at the wheels to check for water being present.
If no water is present at the vacuum line at the IWE, install the new solenoid with bracket. Reconnect all vacuum hoses.
If water is present allow it to drain from the vacuum lines. Then follow the updated procedure outlined in 2006 Workshop Manual (WSM) on-line version, Section 308-07A, Pin Point Tests B21 and B22. These tests checks IWE leak rates with vacuum and will remove any residual water from the IWE. Reconnect all vacuum hoses.
If the IWE looses vacuum quicker than specification. Refer to WSM, Section 204-01B for normal diagnostic procedures.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
6L3Z-9E441-A (CX-2117) IWE Solenoid

that is the TSB, the part is about $25

 

i Drive a 2006 F150 King Ranch F150 super crew cab. When i bought the truck i had a problem with the 4x4 engaging when i was offroad. I took it into the dealership and they told me that the 4x4 was working fine. The only time i had trouble with it turning on is when i needed it and was already off road. When i had the truck in neutral to switch to 4h before i went offroad it worked everytime. I have probably gone 3 months without using it, now it will not engage at all. any ideas? has anyone successfully replaces the solenoid? did it fix the problem?(The first problems i ran into with it was when i was already offroad)

Thanks

 

I had the same problem with the 4 wheel drive and after the 5th visit they replaced the transfer case after the warranty had expired.On the first few visits they replaced the 2 solenoid valves.Its only been 1 week since the new transfer case but so far so good.

 

I haven't had the problem yet, but today I picked up a new IWE solenoid at the stealership for my 06 XLT 4WD SCAB. They charged me $27 and change. It took me about 10 minutes to change it out. The old one looked OK, but after reading so many horror stories I decided a preemptive strike was best.