Hey guys, I have a 2005 4Runner V8 AWD. I got it stuck in the mud a couple nights ago just around the corner from my house. I went to get my toe truck (wheel lift) and winch it out. In the process I noticed I had 2 flat tires so I picked it up from the rear and towed it home with the front whees dragging. I did t get over 5mph and had the truck running with the transmission in neutral. Park the truck on the street, spray it off the next day. I go to pull the truck into the drive way, with center diff unlocked, and it doesn't move. I'm hearing a whirling noise coming from the front end. Leave it in gear and check front, broken cv shaft in the joint. I lock the center diff and try it that way, thinking atrac will help me get it in the driveway. Said driveshaft spins and driver rear tire spins and atrac isn't working. Driver rear tire flat. I notice the brake, vsc, and traction light are on. I flip my switch to get atrac to work and it doesn't. Why are my lights on and will I have to take it to Toyota to get it fixed. Why is the transfer case grinding when moving from 4hi to 4lo and back to 4hi? It's a quick grind like the gears are moving when switching but stops after a second, literally.

I think the quick grinding when switching from 4Hi to 4Lo is somewhat normal. Mine did it when I first bought it at 103k miles (I think from lack of use), now it doesn't do it. I would say replace the broken CV axle and flat tire and see if that solves your problem. I mean if the CV shaft is just spinning that could make the lights go on. By the way, you are shifting to neutral before you do the 4Hi/Lo switch right? If you don't you will get a lot of grinding, more than the quick grinding you are getting.

Yes in neutral when shifting t-case. The reason it concerns me is it has never done it before. It's been a while since I shifted the t-case so hopefully it will go away. I'll get the cv shaft changed out next weekend. Payday is next week

Here's the thread from when mine was doing it. You can see what the other guys were saying.

Slight grinding noise when going from H4 to L4

Ok read the thread and appreciate that. Now onto why my trac, brake, and vsc lights are on....

I don't think it's good for it to tow it with two wheels down. The center differential is limited slip, so even if it's unlocked it's probably not good for it to have just two wheels moving. It's not friction based, so I don't think you can wear it out, but I really don't understand how it works. Try fixing the CV joint and flat tire(s) first and see if that gets it working.

You might also be able to hook up a scan tool and get or clear codes for VSC/TRAC/ABS.

I know it's not good to drag two wheels on it but I figured if I stayed under 5 mph and going around the corner, it would be ok. I'll post up when I get the things fixed that need to be