Front hubs/4x4 Dont work while in "auto" ??

[stevenc1]

Hi there,
Big snow up here in KS over the last few days...big.

Switched the "dial on the dash" to 4HI and the light came on BUT no front drive.

Pulled the hub covers off the moto metal wheels and the selector switch was in "auto"...so, I switched it to "lock" and it worked.


When I swith the "dial on the dash" back to 2wd, it does indead deselect the front wheels and works fine when I switch it back to 4hi.

However, why is my "auto" not working on the hub?
Is it okay to leave it in "lock"?

[sau4u]

You dont want to leave it in lock all the time if you dont have to. Check your climate control in your truck. Is it stuck on defrost and not able to switch to anything else. IF so your vaccuum pump is gone. It affects your auto hubs.

[rdwngs444]

I had the same issue, ford replaced the 4x4 vacuum Solenoid.

[strokinpower]

Mine 08 does the same thing but only sometimes. I took it to the dealership thinking it was vacuum related but they said the checked everything twice and it was all ok.

[golfmedik]

Check the rubber lines going to the hubs. You may have a crack in one of hoses which is not letting the pump pull the vacuum. Hopefully it is something that simple.