01-02 AWD specific issues - I have searched far and wide, come on in

[igetfortunota]

So I picked up a 01 SR5 4WD with 142K on it for a killer price. Everything regarding this issue relates to VSV system(on 00 and earlier) on this truck which doesnt exist

It'll obviously need fluids and a couple seals and a couple bushing, stuff thats really only labor intensive, and then LBJs.

My issue stems from the 4WD system and here are the facts:

1. The truck on pre-start up check does NOT illuminate the 4WD lights, there are otherwise NO 4wd lights that illuminate at all.

2. I hear no relay click in glovebox area upon pressing the button(But some research says I may not hear it on the 01 - via tacoma.site40.net diagram)

3. The front driveshaft does rotate when the car moves, it does not free spin when parked.

4. Going into loose gravel and putting foot to the wood results in only rear spinning and no VSC light either.

5. Tcase will drop into LO and move fine - no noises, grinding or other issues

6. Nothing audible from front diff(or anywhere else) when driving around or turning

So in short, I am 2wd as far as I know, front diff actuated moving the shaft but tcase not connecting the 2 halves.

I am trying to figure out a reasonable order of operations of checking this out and testing to see what I can do.

Please take a moment and help me reason through this - limited following in my area of these trucks and cant seem to find any matches to symptoms online from other people

 

[jgue467]

So when you depress the 4wd button you get no green w/center yellow blinking lites on dash?

 

[PWD4R]

Not in a d!ck way but that may be why the price was killer. Hopefully it's a decently cheap fix so you come out on top


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[phattyduck]

Does the VSC light come on during startup? My experience in a friend's '01 2WD is that the VSC system will be pretty invasive and noticeable when there are traction issues...

I'm thinking you might have some fuses and lights removed to hide some problems.

-Charlie

 

[igetfortunota]

Thanks guys, no worries pwd4r

So key to acc - vsc illuminates

4wd fuse is good i checked

No blinking 4wd lights at all on dash on pre-start nor when button pressed

 

[PWD4R]

Thanks guys, no worries pwd4r



So key to acc - vsc illuminates



4wd fuse is good i checked



No blinking 4wd lights at all on dash on pre-start nor when button pressed

I don't get the blinking 4WD light on start up I don't think though. I have a 99 limited with the multi mode but it should be similar for that aspect


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[igetfortunota]

Found some spare bulbs. Yanked dash...

Suspicions were correct - we have a vsc off light on, and an abs light on. Im sure the 4wd lights sre blinking now, ill have to get more bulbs


Searching for 4wd computer which ive found. Not sure how to progress now

 

[igetfortunota]

Scanned the car - no codes. Will try for underhood port next and see what it tells me

 

[99offroadrngr]

If you're not hearing anything engage it could be the actuators, but I'm not positive.

 

[igetfortunota]

New update: looking for some input.

Found some bulbs out, switched a few so we could get illumination and now here is what we have.

VSC trac, VSC off, ABS and brake lights still on.

**The big issue is now 4WD Always blinking. Like it never stops, only pauses when the AWD button is depressed or released. Always blinking.


Read codes from port under the hood:
ABS long list, cleared and drove and only 34 and 53 are now present
34 - MALFUNCTION AT LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL.
53 - apparently a sympathy code?
VSC: 43 ad 47 were present - gave zero calibration a shot now only 43 is present which apparently is related to the abs light(speed sensor)

I will pull the sensor on the left rear and clean it and check continuity and go from there with that part.

Unsure on a good order of operations on the 4wd lights

 

[maclean216]

I disabled ABS on my 2001,have a speed sensor out on my passenger front, and tripped a fault code on the VSC to disable that. But I have no problems shifting into 4 wheel drive. I dont think fixing the ABS or VSC system is required to get 4wd to work. VSC is poop on the 01-02 4runners. I would specifically look at the 4wd system or better yet convert everything to a manual taco t-case.

 

[phattyduck]

You have a pretty clear direction to go to fix the ABS/VSC issues. A missing ABS sensor signal from the left rear will disable both systems.

The 4WD system will be separate issue(s). Based on your description, it sounds like at least one actuator is not working.

-Charlie

 

[Magmotor]

**The big issue is now 4WD Always blinking. Like it never stops, only pauses when the AWD button is depressed or released. Always blinking.

This may help. Its an electronic operation of the 4wd. Paragraph 2&3 cover the blinking light.
http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96...df/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/0394wd.pdf

This is the complete repair manual for the 01-02 Toy.
1996 to 2002 Toyota 4Runner OEM Repair and Wiring Manuals

very useful information....:thumb3:

 

[Jhelms]

Have you taken out the phillips screw on the 4wd shifter and made sure the switch is connected? Then check the switch is working with a DMM? Trace back the wiring to make sure some @sshat installing radio or something else did not cut or pinch the wires? Or try to twist off the knob ripping the wires out? Cannot count the times I have seen a seemingly stock vehicle with no mods have an electrical issue. Start digging and find the electrical was all chopped up or unplugged.

 

[gamefreakgc]

New update: looking for some input.

Found some bulbs out, switched a few so we could get illumination and now here is what we have.

VSC trac, VSC off, ABS and brake lights still on.

**The big issue is now 4WD Always blinking. Like it never stops, only pauses when the AWD button is depressed or released. Always blinking.


Read codes from port under the hood:
ABS long list, cleared and drove and only 34 and 53 are now present
34 - MALFUNCTION AT LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL.
53 - apparently a sympathy code?
VSC: 43 ad 47 were present - gave zero calibration a shot now only 43 is present which apparently is related to the abs light(speed sensor)

I will pull the sensor on the left rear and clean it and check continuity and go from there with that part.

Unsure on a good order of operations on the 4wd lights

When you pull the sensor, make sure the ABS ring is intact and not covered in any debris or fluids. You can peek through the ABS sensor hole as you rotate the axle. Might need to be in neutral though, FYI.

Having a rogue ABS sensor would definitely mess up the traction system. Also, sort of a dummy kind of thing, make sure there's adequate brake fluid in the reservoir and the cap is on right.

 

[99offroadrngr]

You have a pretty clear direction to go to fix the ABS/VSC issues. A missing ABS sensor signal from the left rear will disable both systems.

The 4WD system will be separate issue(s). Based on your description, it sounds like at least one actuator is not working.

-Charlie

I agree. I almost bought an 01 with similar issues which is why i guessed actuators in a previous post.

 

[igetfortunota]

You have a pretty clear direction to go to fix the ABS/VSC issues. A missing ABS sensor signal from the left rear will disable both systems.

The 4WD system will be separate issue(s). Based on your description, it sounds like at least one actuator is not working.

-Charlie

Yea I am thinking its the rear actuator - more on this at the bottom. I am thinking since the left rear sensor bolt is so crusty and since I will likely yank the fuse after fixing the issue, Ill likely just leave it.

This may help. Its an electronic operation of the 4wd. Paragraph 2&3 cover the blinking light.
http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96...df/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/systemci/0394wd.pdf

This is the complete repair manual for the 01-02 Toy.
1996 to 2002 Toyota 4Runner OEM Repair and Wiring Manuals

very useful information....:thumb3:

Thanks man, testing continuity...no bueno. More at the bottom on this

Have you taken out the phillips screw on the 4wd shifter and made sure the switch is connected? Then check the switch is working with a DMM? Trace back the wiring to make sure some @sshat installing radio or something else did not cut or pinch the wires? Or try to twist off the knob ripping the wires out? Cannot count the times I have seen a seemingly stock vehicle with no mods have an electrical issue. Start digging and find the electrical was all chopped up or unplugged.

I am going to check that tonight, thank you! It gets a signal of some sort because it momentarily pauses but I will certainly check. I am pulling the console as well to check the top 2 sensor/switches as well so I will include this as well.

When you pull the sensor, make sure the ABS ring is intact and not covered in any debris or fluids. You can peek through the ABS sensor hole as you rotate the axle. Might need to be in neutral though, FYI.

Having a rogue ABS sensor would definitely mess up the traction system. Also, sort of a dummy kind of thing, make sure there's adequate brake fluid in the reservoir and the cap is on right.

Sensor is so crusty, its definitely the culprit. Its cooked. Bolt has even rusted itself round. But hey at least its not an older rust belt dodge ram.



So with the little rust cap motor on this tcase actuator, which i believe drives the gear and thus the rod into the case - if the motor is just cooked, completely rusted and crapped out(water, lack of grease, whatever) do you think that it would open the circuit and thus not allow for any reading of continuity?

 

[gamefreakgc]

So with the little rust cap motor on this tcase actuator, which i believe drives the gear and thus the rod into the case - if the motor is just cooked, completely rusted and crapped out(water, lack of grease, whatever) do you think that it would open the circuit and thus not allow for any reading of continuity?

It's very possible that's it is grounding the circuit if it's rusted up that bad. Only way to find out is to swap it with a good one.

 

[igetfortunota]

Bump. Solved. After months of effing around with it..

The circuit of the actuator was grounding out likely due to moisture intrusion over the years. After a LOOOOT of trial and error, a lot of multimeter time, testing with relays and all diagrams availible, figuring out exactly how this system works in conjunction with the 4wd computer... i completely disassembled the actuator cleaned out a ton of nastiness from all parts of the stator motor, cap brushes etc, i was stuck having to recreate some of the circuitry, reassembled and sealed and bang we are back in action. It took a bit of thinking outside the box as i realized nobody else had found a cure for it. Hugely appreciate the input from everyone to get the wheels turning on how to attack

Happy to help if i can as well - pm me or email

Cheers guys :beer::beer:

 

[octanejunkie]

good on you [MENTION=147753]igetfortunota[/MENTION] for the fix, and circling back to update your thread with a happy ending :thumb: