Hi All, I've been lurking around since about August of 2009 when i decided it was time to replace my Dodge Dakota. I thought reading about other peoples 4Runner experiences was a good way to decide if this was a vehicle I was interested in. About 2 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on an 03 Limited V8, Galactic Gray with charcoal interior and I couldn't be happier - everyone's comments were right on the money and I was able to be an informed buyer, knowing things about the 4Runner that even the original owner didn't know.

I bought my runner with 3 items that needed attention. (1) Front calipers were frozen, so I replaced those this weekend and turned the rotors. (2) It is due for a timing belt replacement which I am hoping to get done this week. It's cold out and would take me a couple days to do so I would rather pay to have it done and get it back quicker

(3) The last item is my 4Low actuator was locked up from non-use. I've searched the forums a lot but have not seen this solution posted before; if it has been I apologize but will share my experience anyway.

I've tried the actuator daily but have gotten no response except for a slight, high pitched hum that I can hear with the drivers side door open. Yesterday, I crawled underneath and took a socket and a plastic deadblow hammer with me (the kind you get with a laminate flooring kit.) I loosened the actuator mounting bolts by 3 or 4 turns each, then had my 9 year old daughter turn the Hi-Lo switch back and forth every 4 seconds. I then took the hammer and gave the actuator a good sharp rap on all sides, and would sometimes pull the motor away from the transfer case and then hit the end of it to drive it toward the case. After two minutes of this, the actuator started working! Now it shifts and is ready for use in less than 2 seconds and I'm seriously excited! I evenly tightened the mounting bolts back, a turn at at time, while my daughter continued to move the switch, to make sure that nothing was binding up. IMPORTANT: If anyone else tries this, be careful not to get a finger between the actuator and the case since it pulls tight against the case in one of the positions.

I don't know if anyone else would have luck with this method, maybe I just got lucky, but it sure beats pulling the transfer case and buying a new actuator.

Anyway, I am really glad to be a full-fledged part of this community. I've been following the threads for a long time and feel like I know a lot of you pretty well. Happy Runnin'!

Welcome and that's an awesome tip! Glad it worked for you.

This post may help you as you prepare for the t-belt change (whether someone else does it or you do it).

Great use of a hammer, the all-purpose adjusting tool!

Chris, thanks for the heads up on the Timing Belt thread. Good pictures and good information.

~Alan

Glad to hear that worked for you! Its good to have help too

I have the esame problem and will give this a try. Crossing my fingers...Thanks

Good job! I bet your 9-yr old daughter would love to drive it someday.

Great info Alank. You know I had a similar experience with mine about a year ago when I tired switching to 4LO. It made the switch, but remained stuck in 4LO and could not switch back to 4H or 2H. Had the car towed to the dealership and they said it was a faulty switch which they replaced under warranty. It's been working fine since then.

Hi, my 2004 is experiencing the exact same issue. Where exactly is the actuator located? Thanks so much.

Knapp511 the 4th picture here Fixing the transfer case shift motor leak from within.. shows the location of the actuator on the transfer case; the black box/case facing you om the left in the image.

Anyone know if the same solution may work for a V6? My 03 has the same issue, I have owned it for 3 weeks. 2 to 4hi works 100%, as does the center diff lock. But 4lo just blinks at me and beeps if I put it in gear. It has been cold here (never above -10c, about 10f) since I bought it, could that be a factor?

Judging by the underside of the truck I don't think it has ever seen a gravel road, let alone been on a trail. So I highly doubt the original owner ever put it in 4lo.

Also, for the Toyota mechanics, the original owner did every and all recommended service at the dealer. Would part of their inspections be engaging 4lo?

its strange for 4hi to work nd not 4lo.............are you sure you are engaging the 4lo properly???.you need to be stationary and put the truck in neutral b4 switching from to 4lo

Oh ya, I'm doing it right. In neutral and at a complete stop with my foot on the break. When I hit the switch all it does is flash 4lo, no matter how long I wait. I have rolled it forward a few feet, and tried again, back a few feet and tried again, tried at the end of a 30 minute commute so it was as warm as it is going to get in this climate. Nothing changed...

I purchased my 4Runner a week ago and I'm in the same situation. After attempting to for the first 2 days, I have fully functioning 4Hi but it won't swap over to 4Lo. I'll keep trying and attempt to do what OP recommended.

Same Issue w 07 sr5, Luckily its under warranty w the dealer I just bought it from. All my lights blink. Its at toyota dealer now getting fixed, and I'll post results when I get it back