4x4 Help

[KAW3604x4]

My wife brought home a 2003 F150 FX4 last night to test drive until today. I was checking it out and wanted to make sure the 4X4 worked. It's a switch shift similiar to the headlights. So I switch it to 4H and roll a few feet then switch it into 4L. The low range light never came on in the dash I roll a few more feet and still nothing. I then switch it back to 4H roll a few feet then 2H and that's when the problem came up. Now the truck is immobile and there is a grinding sound in all gears including neutral and the truck doesn't move. Also the 4WD switch no longer works to switch between 2H, 4H and4L. Any ideas what this could be. I read online about the 4WD switch motor going bad but it never described the condition I have. We have to have the truck back up there at noon and before I call them and tell them to come get it, I would like to be able to have it trouble shot, especially before buying it.

I know it's it not a diesel, but you guys are all so helpful that I don't think any of you would mind...

[Performance Oil Products]

Did you put the truck into neutral b4 you switched to 4wd?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by dieselman77

Did you put the truck into neutral b4 you switched to 4wd?

It wont allow it to go into 4 low without being in neutral. As to the grinding noise, shift transmission into neutral and shift back to 2wd

[KAW3604x4]

I did switch into 4H in park, and I knew enough that it had to be in neutral to switch into 4L. I heard the motor switch it into 4H but when I switched it from 4H into 4L there was no sound. The switch is inoperable at this point. The sound is like it is in between gears or 2H/4H. The truck starts and sounds good until you move it out of park then the grinding sound starts.

Do you think if the truck were to roll forward or backward it would slip back into position, what ever position it is close to poping in?

[Dave]

That may work but what i would do is check the fuse for the switch maybe it blew

[KAW3604x4]

Forgot to mention that. I checked all the fuses (lack of manual and not sure which fuse it was). Thiat wouldn't be controlled by one of the relays, would it? If so, is there a way to bypass that just to get it switched to become driveable?

[Dave]

Not sure on which fuse it is. on the F150. Wish i could be of more help

[KAW3604x4]

Pulling it across the yard didn't help at all. The owner of the dealership is coming out to tow it back to his shop.

Thanks for all the help Dave. Hope I can return the favor sometime.

[Dave]

No problem

[lilredpowerstroke]

Let the dealer come pich it up and start lookin for a different truck. No need to buy a truck and have to start fixing it before you even buy it.