04 4wd problem

[indy500]

hi Gang...had the first big snowfall last week here in the northeast. went to put my runner in 4wd and both dash lights kept flashing..took it into the stealership today...they said the acuator needs to be replaced due to corrosion...$2100..I am sick...
The kicker is they mech said that he has had it inside all day and it warmed up..now it works...but thay can say it will when it gets cold out again??

Any thoughts???

 

[Mike07SE]

Actuator is inside the xfer case making it a labor intensive job. Weather/Temps have been known to affect this as well. Sorry to hear this.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Put in 4hi when it's warm. Drive away from the dealer in 4hi. Anytime it's warm out exercise it by cycling it otherwise leave it in 4hi. Change the t-case oil; I'd might go so far as to put in 3-6oz of Marvel Mystery oil and then change the fluid again within a month or two.

The chances of fixing it 100% are slim but it would get you through the worst of the weather and allow for your tax return to take away some of the pain. If it does fix it all your out is 2 fluid changes. Running it 4hi (center diff unlocked) will cause no harm even on the dry pavement.

This 4wd system is awesome but it's major weakness seems to be related to this actuator. Lack of use and an occasional seal leak are semi-prevalent.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

$2100??? :sobbing: The actuator in question is similar in nature to a windshield wiper motor and costs around $400 for the part itself. They must have really jammed it up there to warrant an almost $1700 install fee.

I agree with CJ- continuously exercise the actuator to free it up. It states in your owner's manual to exercise the actuator at least once a month to prevent it jamming up. Mine got jammed up 6 months ago and hasnt been a problem since with constant use a couple of times a month.

Good luck!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

$2100??? :sobbing: They must have really jammed it up there to warrant an almost $1700 install fee.

They did... I remember reading here or at T120 that it's 12-14 hours of labor (or something in that ballpark). Apparently there's a temp fix to a leaky actuator that can be done in a couple of hours but a truly stuck actuator or to fix a leak correctly requires major t-case dis-assembly. There's supposedly one clip that holds mechanisms' actuating rod that's only accessible after dis-assembly.
:cheers: