2013 F150: 4wd slow to disengage?

[30-30]

I have needed to use 4wd on my f150 several times over the last few days. Changing from 2hi to 4hi is no problem. But when I turn the knob back to 2hi, the truck acts like it stays in 4wd for a minute or two. The dash lights indicate it's back in 2hi but I don't hear it disengage and the steering still feels tight. Each time today I had to drive forward, backward, and turn the wheel a few times before I would hear the clunk of 4wd disengaging.

Is this supposed to be instantaneous once the knob is turned? Anything I'm supposed to be doing that I'm not?

Thanks for the thoughts.

[txoutdoorsman24]

No I don't think it's instant. My trucks have always taken a few seconds to disengage.

[Cazador23]

The problem is that they use an electric motor to do the job of the never failing shift linkage. Convenience has a price.

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[Bmarsh9]

Or it could be a vacuum solenoid going south, when they lose vacuum they default to 4x4.

[Kmart49]

If your 4x4 is engaging and ultimately disengaging properly then I doubt it's the solenoid. I've replaced both the vacuum lines and the actuators on my f150. You'll know when they aren't working as you'll be stuck.

My suggestion is to just take a second to stop and then switch back out of 4x4.

[ColinR]

Are you on pavement or really hard dry ground when going back to 2wd? I've noticed my trucks take longer and sometimes have to roll a little ways if I'm on really hard dry ground and the tires are in a bit of a bind when coming out of 4wd.

[Capt.Bryan]

On my last 2 Ford's, I believe they have shift on the fly. I have always just stopped, put it in neutral, shift out of 4x4, then back up about 10-15 feet then drive normal. If I didn't stop and drop it in neutral it would have a pretty good jolt when it disengaged and take longer.

[ultralite09]

On my last 2 Ford's, I believe they have shift on the fly. I have always just stopped, put it in neutral, shift out of 4x4, then back up about 10-15 feet then drive normal. If I didn't stop and drop it in neutral it would have a pretty good jolt when it disengaged and take longer.

Yup, same here. I have a chevy but ive been doing the same thing since day 1 of owning the truck. I either recall the sales guy at the dealership telling me this or picked it up from one of my dads habits.

I will say, if I had a preference, I would like my next truck to have a floor cable shifter, though I dont think thats available unless I were to get a work truck model. This electronic shift has given me more headache than help

[txpitdog]

Not sure if this is really what's happening but I sometimes wonder if the tension or force on the hub is what causes a delay. I sometimes put my truck in neutral when going back out of 4wd with the redneck engineering reason that it takes the stress off the 4wd system and allows the hubs to disengage.

Have only really noticed a delay in going from 4 back to 2 when I am stopped. If I shift on the fly it might take a second but doesn't seem to have any delay. Wonder if 4hi is meant to be shifted while the truck is moving


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[Peta-hata]

Not sure if it's normal but I think it's pretty common. Probably wouldn't worry about it unless you notice it getting worse.

[Oldblue]

IMO I have found it helpful to use your 4wd a few times a year whether you need to or not. Keeps them from seizing up or cause delays.

[30-30]

Are you on pavement or really hard dry ground when going back to 2wd? I've noticed my trucks take longer and sometimes have to roll a little ways if I'm on really hard dry ground and the tires are in a bit of a bind when coming out of 4wd.

I think this was my issue. I tried shifting back to 2wd before I got back on the pavement a few times and the truck shifted within a couple seconds. Thanks for the info, guys.

[ColinR]

Glad to help bud!

[TexZ71]

Mine does the same thing when shifting on the fly. It seems to shift back to 2wd quicker if I let off the gas.

[Philip-TX]

Vacuum problem.

Start at the vacuum soleniod on the fender well. You should hear it run for a few seconds when 4x4 is turned on.
follow the vac lines down t othe hub. check for leaks. Isolate each side.

Also the hub itself has a o-ring (internal) that is supposed to hold vacuum and actuate on vacuum. They've been know to leak. Especially on high mileage vehicles witha build up of dirt/mud/rust/grime. Sometimes you can clean the hub/o-ring and get it to seal correctly, but once you have it off it is easy to just clean and replace.