This winter when I put my 2014 4Runner in 4WH on snow and ice the 4WD indicator came on, I could feel the 4WD grab and the vehicle went from losing traction to not slipping at all. When I took it out of 4WD the dash light went out and I could feel the change back to 2WD.
The last two times I put it in 4WH it worked as expected but, when I took it out of 4WH, the 4WD indicator light did not go out. It was flashing along with another flashing indicator next to it, maybe the ATRAC light [I really do not remember if the flashing lights started when I put it in 4WH or when I took it out]. When stopped, I tried putting it and out of 4WH a few times and also tried switching from 4WH to 4WL and back and out of 4WD but the indicators did not turn off, they just continued to flash. I had to shut the engine off and turn it back on to get the indicators to turn off.
The 4Runner is currently in for service at my mechanic. When they checked the 4WD they got a code for the front differential actuator. They put it up on the lift and when it is put in 4WH the rear wheels spin but the front do not, so it is not going into 4WD. The shop is going to remove the actuator so they can test it. But here is the thing. When I used the 4WD on my long uphill icy driveway it worked, even though the lights were flashing. I am positive it was in 4WD because before engaging 4WD the rear end was slipping side to side and it wasn't making it up the driveway. As soon as I engaged 4WH all slipping stopped and it went up the driveway like it was on dry pavement.
There is a problem, otherwise the lights would not be flashing. However, does this make any sense? Is there something about being on the lift, with wheels not on a solid surface, that would cause the 4WD to not engage?
Is there something besides a bad actuator that could cause this behavior?
Thanks
The last two times I put it in 4WH it worked as expected but, when I took it out of 4WH, the 4WD indicator light did not go out. It was flashing along with another flashing indicator next to it, maybe the ATRAC light [I really do not remember if the flashing lights started when I put it in 4WH or when I took it out]. When stopped, I tried putting it and out of 4WH a few times and also tried switching from 4WH to 4WL and back and out of 4WD but the indicators did not turn off, they just continued to flash. I had to shut the engine off and turn it back on to get the indicators to turn off.
The 4Runner is currently in for service at my mechanic. When they checked the 4WD they got a code for the front differential actuator. They put it up on the lift and when it is put in 4WH the rear wheels spin but the front do not, so it is not going into 4WD. The shop is going to remove the actuator so they can test it. But here is the thing. When I used the 4WD on my long uphill icy driveway it worked, even though the lights were flashing. I am positive it was in 4WD because before engaging 4WD the rear end was slipping side to side and it wasn't making it up the driveway. As soon as I engaged 4WH all slipping stopped and it went up the driveway like it was on dry pavement.
There is a problem, otherwise the lights would not be flashing. However, does this make any sense? Is there something about being on the lift, with wheels not on a solid surface, that would cause the 4WD to not engage?
Is there something besides a bad actuator that could cause this behavior?
Thanks
