02 having trouble engaging 4 wheel drive

[MJW]

My 02 without center locking transfer case recently started having trouble engaging 4 wheel drive. The indicator light keeps flashing yellow. Some times it engages after a few minutes other times it does not. Then at times it engages right away.

I bought it used last year. I have no maintenance history on it. Other than the timing belt was changed at 99k. It now has 120k on it

My first thought was low oil in the transfer case. I changed it this week. The old oil was a dark yellow, I saw no metal in the oil.

My next thought was the front differential. I plan on changing the oil in it today.

I have the repair manual both Toyota and Chilton and will begin trouble shooting it based on that.

Does anyone have any suggestions where to start?

Thanks

MJ

 

[4-Ripcord]

My 02 without center locking transfer case

Not possible. All 01-02 have the center locking t-case.


Read this thread.
4WD won't disengage on 99 4Runner LTD - YotaTech Forums

 

[MJW]

Not possible. All 01-02 have the center locking t-case.


What I should have said was I do not have the dash switch to lock the transfer case.

Thanks

 

[4-Ripcord]

That may be your problem

 

[Trub]

My 02 without center locking transfer case recently started having trouble engaging 4 wheel drive. The indicator light keeps flashing yellow. Some times it engages after a few minutes other times it does not. Then at times it engages right away.

I bought it used last year. I have no maintenance history on it. Other than the timing belt was changed at 99k. It now has 120k on it

My first thought was low oil in the transfer case. I changed it this week. The old oil was a dark yellow, I saw no metal in the oil.

My next thought was the front differential. I plan on changing the oil in it today.

I have the repair manual both Toyota and Chilton and will begin trouble shooting it based on that.

Does anyone have any suggestions where to start?

Thanks

MJ

Get this resolved? I've got the same issue with my 99 Limited. I've replaced the front diff switch as it was cheap but I still have the problem. Going to get my multi-meter out and check the resistance on the 2 switches on the t-case by the actuator and figure out how to reach to remove the lock indicator switch on the passenger side of the t-case.

 

[DC runner]

Googled and saw this:
2001 4Runner 4wd Won't Disengage--FIXED

Might be similar.

 

[Trub]

Googled and saw this:
2001 4Runner 4wd Won't Disengage--FIXED

Might be similar.

Thanks!

Yes he references the YotaTech thread that I've read and was referenced above. His was a 2001, mines a 99 and they are different. When I press the MM button on my 4WD shifter the indicator lights with the 4 wheels and transfer case all blink and it never goes into AWD but it does go into 4HL as the truck doesn't like to turn. I have to click the button several times while turning and getting on and off the gas to get it to come out of 4HL.

OP did you get yours fixed?

 

[MJW]

Thanks!

Yes he references the YotaTech thread that I've read and was referenced above. His was a 2001, mines a 99 and they are different. When I press the MM button on my 4WD shifter the indicator lights with the 4 wheels and transfer case all blink and it never goes into AWD but it does go into 4HL as the truck doesn't like to turn. I have to click the button several times while turning and getting on and off the gas to get it to come out of 4HL.

OP did you get yours fixed?

After changing the transfer case, rear differential, front differential oil and greasing both drive shafts the problem seems to be resolved. I found holding the button in for about 10 seconds helped too.

The front differential was an adventure. The drain plug was stripped before I started. I had to order Irwin multi spline hex head extractors, they are short easy to get straight pull on them. I got them from Auto Tool World. They are cheap something like $3 each. I ordered a variety of sizes. Highly recommend them.