What does IWE solenoid stand for?

For the uninitiated, Ford’s Integrated Wheel End (IWE) system is what locks and unlocks the front hubs when you change back and forth from 2WD and 4WD.

What does a 4×4 solenoid do?

The actuator is used to lock the vehicle’s differential together when a switch or button engages the 4WD mode in the cabin. To lock the differential, electronic solenoids engage the actuator gears. This is common in the most recent 4WD vehicle models.

How do Ford vacuum hubs work?

Ford’s IWE system works off of engine vacuum. For this design, the vacuum is placed on the system unlocking the hubs while the truck runs in 2-wheel drive mode. When shifting to 4-wheel drive, vacuum is released, which locks the hubs. This leaves the front axle locked for fail-safe operation.

What does vacuum actuator do?

A vacuum actuator is a mechanism that supplies a switching or activation force to a secondary device via the vacuum-induced movement of an internal piston or diaphragm. An actuator rod is attached to the piston or diaphragm, and passes out of the chamber to connect to the secondary device.

What is wrong with my IWE solenoid?

Problem with the IWE is that the vacuum is not released. I checked the voltage going to the solenoid and strangely there is voltage regardless of the position of the 4WD dial, I expected zero in either 4 wheel or 2 wheel.

What is the integrated wheel end (IWE)?

For the uninitiated, Ford’s Integrated Wheel End (IWE) system is what locks and unlocks the front hubs when you change back and forth from 2WD and 4WD. The system works off of vacuum and functions a little counter-intuitively in that it uses vacuum to keep the hubs unlocked for 2WD and shuts off the vacuum to lock the front hubs for 4WD.

Does IWE hold 2WD?

If yes, then IWE is good, if not, IWE has bad seals and will not hold 2wd reliably. If IWE is not the problem, apply vacuum to the line that feeds the suspected IWE. Does vacuum hold?

What is an IWE on a Ford 150?

What is an IWE on a Ford 150? Basically, IWE is Ford’s integrated wheel ends and the way they work is the following. One piece is on the hub side and it’s a spline wheel, we’ll call it a gear. And there’s also an exact match spline wheel on the axle side. They don’t touch the piece that pulls it all together.