IWE System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The IWE system consists of the following:

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

1	IWEs (spring-loaded vacuum hubs)
2	Vacuum hoses
3	IWE solenoid
4	Vacuum reservoir

The IWE system, used on Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly (ESOF) and 2-speed torque-on-demand equipped vehicles, uses vacuum hubs that engage or disengage the front wheel hubs from the front halfshafts.

The IWE solenoid receives engine vacuum from the vacuum reservoir. When the 4WD system is in 2H mode, the TCCM supplies a ground path to the IWE solenoid to apply vacuum to the IWEs (disengaging the front hubs from the front halfshafts). When operating in any 4x4 mode, the TCCM does not supply the ground path to the IWE solenoid, vacuum is not applied to the IWEs and an internal spring keeps the front hubs engaged to the front halfshafts. Vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.5L EcoBoost engine are equipped with an engine mounted/cam-driven brake booster vacuum pump that supplies vacuum to the IWE vacuum reservoir. The brake vacuum pump is located on the backside of the cylinder head. Refer to: Brake Vacuum Pump - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS) . Refer to: Brake Vacuum Pump - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS) . As a first step in service, eliminate obvious items such as loose wiring connections, loose vacuum connections or damaged vacuum lines