Hello,
I have a 2006 v6 4Runner and noticed the other day that the 4x4 is not engaging. When I put it in 4H the lights come on but nothing happens. When I put it in 4L the lights come on and it sounds like its trying to engage but not much happens. I had the back wheels lifted up on a jack and in 4L the front did seem to engage and move it forward a little bit but when I took it off the lift with it still in 4L and drove in a tight circle it was pretty obvious that it was not engaged. I am wondering if the actuator is bad or if the transfer case needs an oil change but am not sure since lights come on and it seems to almost engage in 4L. Any thoughts as to what I can do?

i know on the v8 model you have to shift into nuetral and than change into 4Hi or 4lo.

On my V8 you don’t necessarily have to be in park or neutral for center diff lock (4Hi) to engage I do it while moving up to 50 mph and I don’t have any issues with that engaging at those speeds. 4Lo does have to be in either park or neutral for that to engage. When I bought mine it wouldn’t engage because the previous owner never engaged it before so she was a little stuck. I ended up having to replace the shift solenoid and O-ring in the transfer case. I have never had a problem with it since. Good luck!

Was that something you were able to do yourself or did you need to bring it to a mechanic?

@cassato , there are threads on the forum about this issue. Read them for the details about what has worked for people. IIRC, worst case is you need a new actuator (very expensive) but best case is that sometimes it just takes persistence - keep trying to engage it and eventually, whatever is gummed up will start moving and it will work. Search for those threads, they should be helpful.

Also, be sure to "exercise" your 4WD monthly as recommended in the manual once you get it functional. There's a thread for that too to remind everyone.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

Well I'm no scientist but I'm going to go out on a limb and say this should probably be plugged in...

After doing that it sounds and feels like it's trying to engage but still won't. I'll keep trying and give it some love taps with a hammer - where's the best place to hit it?

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I paid someone at that time but I wouldn’t hesitate to try it myself now. I just replaced my starter and I’m about to do the rear main seal and drivers exhaust manifold.

After fiddling with the actuator to get it to move I can't seem to get the gears back in line with the switch or something. Now the green 4x4 light is always on and 4Lo is always flashing. Any ideas?

Not gonna lie man, I would change your transfer case fluid and diff fluid while you're at it.
After you know your fluid is good, take it somewhere you can just go forward and backwards if need be. But first switch it into neutral, leave your foot on the brake. After about 5-10 seconds my 4h always engages. If yours doesn't, then try moving forward a few hundred or whatever feet, if still nothing reverse and try again.
That's about all I can think of for simple fixes, but never take turns when you're 4wd is trying to engage, I don't know the science I just know it's on the visor of mine to "never engage while turning". Also you have to be in neutral to go into 4lo and then proceed to only use L gear. Tested all this today on the ski mountain I work on top of lol.

So it sounds like when you hit the switch the computer noticed it but it’s not actually engaging. I would check the fluid in your T-case just to make sure there was enough lubrication in there. It could be possible the actuator is also a little sticky or failing.

I don't have time to do an in-depth search, but I know several here have been down this path. Here's some light reading but definitely search around a bit, at least one member documented the process really well...

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2155262-post8.html

Fixing the transfer case shift motor leak from within..

Good luck, hope that helps