01 4Runner Won't Disengage 4WD

[881stGenRunner]

Let me preface this by saying I was able to apply power to the actuator on the back of the transfercase, get it in 2wd, and the lights are no longer flashing.

However, every time I try to engage the 4wd system it will not put itself back into 2wd and turn off the lights. In fact, it doesnt even make it all the way into 4wd. The 4 Green wheel lights and 1 Orange CDL light do not stop blinking.

I have been using this YT thread as a reference:

4WD won't disengage on 99 4Runner LTD - YotaTech Forums

I started by replacing the forward most switch on the Transfercase Actuator (Toyota P/N: 84222-12010), it seemed to be the fix on a majority of 2001 4Runners and i was hoping that was the case for mine as well.





I went to advance to check the codes and it revealed a C1224 - NE Signal Circuit. I have recalibrated the VSC system using this link:

https://mike-thomson.com/blog/?p=1143

I also purchased a new ABS/VSC/TRAC computer module. The FSM references this as the Skid Control Module (Toyota P/N: 89540-35370). This did not fix my issue either.

So to get it back into 2WD I applied power to the Transfercase Actuator plug. The 2001/2002 plug is 6x1 instead of a 2x3. See diagram below to see how I accomplished this.



Why is the truck not allowing itself to engage into 4wd or go back into 2wd? It's like there is something not sending the correct signal and it is putting the 4wd system into limp mode.

I am currently trying to sell the vehicle and I can't afford to let it continue to nickel and dime me at this point. If anyone has any recommendations, ideas, help, etc it would be very appreciated!

Thank you,

Brandon

 

[jgue467]

Guessing you've already tried what the manual and sticker above the driver visor say to do when attempting to engage 4wd and get the orange blinkies? (put into reverse, move back a bit then forward). How about making a right turn to engage. Did it ever work for you before these troubles?

Mine would do the same thing and i changed fluids a couple times with a little success then kept on trying to engage and one day managed a right turn and 'click' could hear it engage. Repeated over several months until now its smooth. I think much of the trouble comes from non-periodic use and parts are stuck. I know that won't help someone trying to sell quickly but perhaps it'll get you out of a bind. Luck.

 

[881stGenRunner]

Ya I have tried to do the back and forth, neutral, turning, everything. Drove it a few days back and forth to work before I was able to figure out how to get 2wd manually. I have thought about changing fluid, just havent done it yet.

I have definitely used it a lot in the past, but not as much in the past few months. I am thinking it has to do with parts being stuck, but damn is it frustrating.

 

[jgue467]

Gotcha ya, yeah the fluid drain/fill may help yet it took a while for mine to finally actuate smoothly in/out. You may want to PM The Durk, he knows these vehicles 4wd system extremely well (although his is the slightly older 3rd gen).

I've not heard of too many folks on here having trouble and needing to replace parts on the 01-02 4wd units, they just seem to get 'sticky' from non-use.

 

[881stGenRunner]

This is all great information. I will probably do a drain and fill of the transmission tomorrow and see if that gets me anywhere.

 

[Brique]

I found on mine when driving if I pumped the gas a bit then slow down then pump the gas a bit, etc., that shakes things up and lets it wiggle into position. Repeating that was what got my system going again.

 

[881stGenRunner]

I found on mine when driving if I pumped the gas a bit then slow down then pump the gas a bit, etc., that shakes things up and lets it wiggle into position. Repeating that was what got my system going again.

In D or N? I will give this a shot tomorrow during my commute to work. At least I am getting good at powering the tcase actuator if it gets stuck in blinking mode...

 

[RPS99SHO]

Just wrestled with the blinky lights on mine. I removed, cleaned, and tested the sensor on the front diff, and the two on top of the TC that I could get to (there are two more in in the tranny tunnel that I never did get to). That didn't solve the problem. I changed out the diff fluid, and bam. Everything fixed right up. Most of the time the system switches very quickly between 2wd/4wd without additional input from me (reversing, figure 8ing, etc). Every once in a while the system will make me watch the blinking lights for 20-30 seconds, which pisses me off. But engages every time.

tl;dr: change your TC fluid.

 

[881stGenRunner]

Just wrestled with the blinky lights on mine. I removed, cleaned, and tested the sensor on the front diff, and the two on top of the TC that I could get to (there are two more in in the tranny tunnel that I never did get to). That didn't solve the problem. I changed out the diff fluid, and bam. Everything fixed right up. Most of the time the system switches very quickly between 2wd/4wd without additional input from me (reversing, figure 8ing, etc). Every once in a while the system will make me watch the blinking lights for 20-30 seconds, which pisses me off. But engages every time.

tl;dr: change your TC fluid.

Thanks for the input. I believe I do not have a sensor on my front diff since this is an 01, but I will dang sure check today when I get home.

My plan for today is as follows:

Change front diff fluid
Change transfercase fluid
Change transmission fluid
Clean all sensors and connectors I can get my hands on

 

[881stGenRunner]

Okay so we just tested the front differential actuator again and this time there was no movement. We performed the following tests (3 & 4):



Test 3(b) showed 3.0 ohms - Check was good
Test 3(c) yielded no results. There was no resistance between either of the terminals and the body/ground.

Test 4 with Terminal 2 as (+) and Terminal 6 as (-) only made a grounding noise from the actuator.
Test 4 with Terminal 2 as (-) and Terminal 6 as (+) did nothing at all.

At this point I am leaning towards a bad front differential actuator. I removed the new Toyota switch and I am going to attempt to return it to Toyota tomorrow.

Keep the suggestions coming!!

 

[theriddler]

Okay so we just tested the front differential actuator again and this time there was no movement. We performed the following tests (3 & 4):



Test 3(b) showed 3.0 ohms - Check was good
Test 3(c) yielded no results. There was no resistance between either of the terminals and the body/ground.

Test 4 with Terminal 2 as (+) and Terminal 6 as (-) only made a grounding noise from the actuator.
Test 4 with Terminal 2 as (-) and Terminal 6 as (+) did nothing at all.

At this point I am leaning towards a bad front differential actuator. I removed the new Toyota switch and I am going to attempt to return it to Toyota tomorrow.

Keep the suggestions coming!!

Thank you for this old thread, it put me on the right track. Did this fix your problem? I'm waiting for my new actuator to come in now...thanks

 

[theonlycola]

New user on the forum but been using this site for pretty much everything since I bough my 01 4runner.

I'm having almost the identical problem as the OP, but up until a few hours ago she was stuck in 2H. I've replaced both position sensors on the back-end of the T-case and I couldn't hear the actuators from either the T-case or front diff. Well I was driving along today and finicking with the 4wd button and low and behold it shifted but the light is still blinking and I can't seem to shift out. Kind of a problem now since the streets are bone dry and I'm experiencing some binding so looks like I'm gonna have to jump the actuator back to 2H tomorrow.

The car shifted so I'm assuming both actuators are working but I don't know what to do next since I've replaced both sensors on the T-case and I don't have an external one on the front diff actuator.

Anyone have some ideas on what to troubleshoot next?

 

[kevinRR]

I had the same issue a couple of months ago with my 4Runner not disengaging the 4wd. The CDL and 4wd light was blinking. It was the transfer case switch part number 84222-35110.

 

[theriddler]

New user on the forum but been using this site for pretty much everything since I bough my 01 4runner.

I'm having almost the identical problem as the OP, but up until a few hours ago she was stuck in 2H. I've replaced both position sensors on the back-end of the T-case and I couldn't hear the actuators from either the T-case or front diff. Well I was driving along today and finicking with the 4wd button and low and behold it shifted but the light is still blinking and I can't seem to shift out. Kind of a problem now since the streets are bone dry and I'm experiencing some binding so looks like I'm gonna have to jump the actuator back to 2H tomorrow.

The car shifted so I'm assuming both actuators are working but I don't know what to do next since I've replaced both sensors on the T-case and I don't have an external one on the front diff actuator.

Anyone have some ideas on what to troubleshoot next?

I had to replace the actuator on the front diff to fix my issue...no more flashing lights and goes in and out of 4wd like it should now

 

[jgue467]

...01 4runner....driving along today and finicking with the 4wd button and low and behold it shifted ... now since the streets are bone dry and I'm experiencing some binding ...Anyone have some ideas on what to troubleshoot next?

Engaging 4wd and engaging the center diff lock are TWO different things (4wd round button and dash button), why would you turn them both on at the same time on solid pavement? yeah realize you were 'fiddling' but the center diff isn't something to fiddle with on solid roads.

Now you can try following the instructions under the driver visor adding the "make a slight right/left turn" to 'help' the system with gentle throttle pressure. Next change fluids, several times. If that doesn't work then start testing via the FSM procedures. Luck and enjoy that runner. :cowboy:

 

[theonlycola]

I had the same issue a couple of months ago with my 4Runner not disengaging the 4wd. The CDL and 4wd light was blinking. It was the transfer case switch part number 84222-35110.

I'll give that switch a shot. I replaced the two on the rear of the T-case but those ones up top are a pain to get to. This morning I lifted the front tires and was able to get the front diff actuator to engage and disengage so I don't think that's the problem.

I unbolted the T-case actuator and with the inch or so it comes out I was able to manually actuate the connection to 2H by pulling the actuator all the was out. But I had to push it back into 4h to get it to bolt back on.

 

[kevinRR]

I'll give that switch a shot. I replaced the two on the rear of the T-case but those ones up top are a pain to get to. This morning I lifted the front tires and was able to get the front diff actuator to engage and disengage so I don't think that's the problem.

I unbolted the T-case actuator and with the inch or so it comes out I was able to manually actuate the connection to 2H by pulling the actuator all the was out. But I had to push it back into 4h to get it to bolt back on.

The switch was bad on mine I just unplug it and left it until the new switch came in.

 

[theonlycola]

Well I caved and took it to the stealership for a diagnostic. They told me the T-case was bad told me they could replace the whole assembly (T-case and actuator) with a pre-used assembly (126k miles) for 1400.00. Definitely not gonna do that but when I asked them if they could manually shift it out of 4wd they said no. Does anyone know of a way to get the T-case back in 2wd manually?

 

[SaulG]

Have you tried connector on T Case select motor (T1) ; Light Blue wire (2) and Green wire (7) ?
Pull connector and those pins control motor.. 12v jumpers.. and have had some respond after tapping (pulse) the motor
As posted some are prone to inactive owners..some have corrosion issues.

 

[theonlycola]

It’s only a 6 pin connector I believe so not sure what the (7) means but I’ll look for those colors and give it a shot thanks for the tip