Daughter called from Reno today. It's cold there, like 0 degrees last night. She drives a 2012 T4R with about 5k miles on it. Last night, got in, shifted into 4wd and went to back DOWN the driveway. Vehicle wouldn't roll down the driveway. Resistance. Gave it some throttle ("that seemed odd"), backed down and drove about ten miles, returned home then parked. This morning started up, but can't get into 2wd. Check engine light is on, and traction control light says TC is off. Can drive in 4wd but with much resistance, need throttle to advance, and lurch and lunge around corners. This is a new Forerunner. Is this really a stuck in 4WD issue? Is the solution to just drive it despite the strong resistance, warm it up and try to force it back to 2WD? I've had several T4R's and never the slightest issue. Love to hear a solution. Thanks.
2012 Stuck in 4wd? Really?
- Thread starter Logical1
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Have her try going about 5-10mph in a straight line and shift from 4H to 2H while rolling. Should slide right out.
Check engine light seems odd.
Definitely don't be taking any more turns in 4H on non-slick surfaces.
harper7
Senior Member
You mean 4L because there is no such thing as 2L?Sounds like she has it it in 4L as 4H drives about the same as 2H and not much resistance as you said. It has resistance in 4L because of the lower gearing. Try putting it in nuetral if it's in 4L. No idea why the check engine light is on.
Did she happen to read the manual on how the 4WD system works as it's a part time in the SR5's.
Make sure you understand how SR5 4wd works and convey to them. They have it bound up by driving on dry pavement. They need to get on snow,grass,dirt or turn correct direction on dry pavement to remove binding. New trucks are stiff to get in and out of 4wd the first few times and the binding on top of that will make it tough for the uninformed. Cold is not the problem IMO. SR5 4wd is old school and not like 3rd or 4th gen or 5th gen limited model.
homeyclaus
New member
I am going to agree with another poster and say the drive train is wound up.
Step 1: get off pavement. If you stay there, something will give, and it'll be expensive.
Step 2: on grass or gravel, turn, take a straight line
Step 3: Stop, put transmission in N, and disengage 4WD.
Step 4: Make operators who pull handles and levers on the truck read about what 4WD can and can't do, and where it should and should not be used.
Step 1: get off pavement. If you stay there, something will give, and it'll be expensive.
Step 2: on grass or gravel, turn, take a straight line
Step 3: Stop, put transmission in N, and disengage 4WD.
Step 4: Make operators who pull handles and levers on the truck read about what 4WD can and can't do, and where it should and should not be used.
philsey
New member
Yup, this. After multiple explanations, my wifey just not get this. Hence her CRV - she doesn't even have to think about it.
Greg_Canada
New member
I agree with the above posters, stuck ebrake/ wound up 4wd. Why were they driving in 4wd because it was 0 out? Was it snowing? Sometimes turning, driving slow will pop it out of 4wd. Gravel / snow is best though....
Ukie
New member
Got couple questions:
1. What T4R model does your daughter owns? Saying "shifted into 4wd" means sr5 or trail, but please confirm.
2. Was there any snow/ice on a driveway or was it a dry one?
3. Was it a straight line back down or back down with a turn... like backing with 90 degree turn?
Curt Sauve
New member
Same here,....Wife + Part Time 4x4 = Fail.
Jivewalker
Member
I'm betting she's in 4LO. Follow the directions from 4L to 4H, then from 4H to 2H. What does the 4wd indicator in the dash show?
Also, could there be a blown fuse? CE light makes me wonder.....
Curious to know what was causing it.
Also, could there be a blown fuse? CE light makes me wonder.....
Curious to know what was causing it.
NorthWest 4R
New member
Prime example right here of why the car manufactures unfortunately keep "dumb'ing down" and simplifying things. If only she had a knob or button instead of a complicated lever :biggrin2:
OP mentioned 2012 model, so it could be an SR5 as well.
So here's the answer
Called the dealership in Reno and based on the check engine light and traction control off light, they opted to tow it in. Tested the computer and there was a glitch, the rear wheels getting a different signal than the front wheels, thereby binding up 4wd to 2wd. They reset the computer and everything worked perfectly. A very rare occurrence. Apparently these manual shifters are otherwise bulletproof, more so than the buttons and switches. Best to shift when stopped, they say.
Lots of good ideas and advice from you guys. Much appreciated. This turned out to be an odd one.
Called the dealership in Reno and based on the check engine light and traction control off light, they opted to tow it in. Tested the computer and there was a glitch, the rear wheels getting a different signal than the front wheels, thereby binding up 4wd to 2wd. They reset the computer and everything worked perfectly. A very rare occurrence. Apparently these manual shifters are otherwise bulletproof, more so than the buttons and switches. Best to shift when stopped, they say.
Lots of good ideas and advice from you guys. Much appreciated. This turned out to be an odd one.
