Bought my 03 4R Sport w/v6 from a private owner 2 weeks ago. 98kmiles. The 4R has been on the bucket list for a long time. I tested 4Hi but failed to understand the 4lo operation. I'm having the usual problem from the 100-150 posts I've read. 4Hi works fine with or without diff lock. Put it in neutral, switch to 4lo, blinking 4 lo light. Light never goes out. Try backing up or moving forward 5-10' and no joy. The warning ding comes on. Tried multilpe switching from 4hi to 4lo. Tried very slowly switching to 4 lo. I'll try the accutator tap when it stops raining around these parts. Additional: I changed out the rear, TC, and front diff fluids. What am I missing.
4 lo coaxing...what am I missing
- Thread starter 4RChappy
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I've tried the slow roll approach too with the trans in neutral. I was also able to get under it and tried tapping the accuator but nothing yet. I could hear the beeping in the accuator.
If I run this frequnetly in 4Hi will that have any positive effect? I'm thinking to keep trying this through the summer and maybe I'll get lucky. I don't have it in me to try loosening the accuator bolts but maybe have a tranny shop give it a try?
If I run this frequnetly in 4Hi will that have any positive effect? I'm thinking to keep trying this through the summer and maybe I'll get lucky. I don't have it in me to try loosening the accuator bolts but maybe have a tranny shop give it a try?
Using 4hi doesn't have any impact on 4lo, and that is the issue.
The phsyical electro-mechanical device that shifts into 4lo is a separate entity. You can run in 4hi till the end of days and it won't impact this. This is why they are sticking... like anything, without use they start to stick and most 99.9 percent of people run in 4hi.
So... 6,7,8 years later; 100k miles in and numerous hot/cold weather cycles... the suckers don't wanna move.
Other than a complete new unit, the tapping and tapping and tapping has had some success. Its like any latch or lock that has never been opened or used, sometimes if you tap at it long enough and get it to budge, then use the crap out of it to really exercise it; you may be ok.
The best I have seen is the reports of people who had someone with them and just spent an afternoon tinkering with it.... depends on how the stars line up, but you may get it to work.
The phsyical electro-mechanical device that shifts into 4lo is a separate entity. You can run in 4hi till the end of days and it won't impact this. This is why they are sticking... like anything, without use they start to stick and most 99.9 percent of people run in 4hi.
So... 6,7,8 years later; 100k miles in and numerous hot/cold weather cycles... the suckers don't wanna move.
Other than a complete new unit, the tapping and tapping and tapping has had some success. Its like any latch or lock that has never been opened or used, sometimes if you tap at it long enough and get it to budge, then use the crap out of it to really exercise it; you may be ok.
The best I have seen is the reports of people who had someone with them and just spent an afternoon tinkering with it.... depends on how the stars line up, but you may get it to work.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Now you know one of the reasons the previous owner got rid of it.
Gerdo
New member
I would be lost without 4LO. I use it all the time when wheeling.
It saves my clutch. If wheeling and auto, 4Lo will save the auto trans by keeping it from overheating. (overheating comes from too low of RPMs which is caused by the torque converter not being able to lock up which causes heat)
It saves my clutch. If wheeling and auto, 4Lo will save the auto trans by keeping it from overheating. (overheating comes from too low of RPMs which is caused by the torque converter not being able to lock up which causes heat)
I bought the truck 2 weeks ago from a late 20 something gal who I don't think had any ill motivation, however still waiting on the title...reportedly a hangup with the bank releasing the lien. I sent her and parents who owned the truck before her an email inquiring about 4lo.
On the beeping. Yes the alarm goes off when moving out of neutral. Beeping I'm referring to is heard from underneath. Is it trying to engage 4lo continuously?
On the beeping. Yes the alarm goes off when moving out of neutral. Beeping I'm referring to is heard from underneath. Is it trying to engage 4lo continuously?
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That is normal. If she still owed on the truck, then the money you paid her is helping pay that lien.
Usually takes a couple of weeks for the bank to process the loan closed and release the title. Totally normal.
As for the 4lo. I am willing to place a strong bet that woman NEVER touched 4lo.
The beeping is the truck simply telling you the conditions are not met for it to engage. The actual sound is more of a MMMPFF.. the physical gear move.
Usually takes a couple of weeks for the bank to process the loan closed and release the title. Totally normal.
As for the 4lo. I am willing to place a strong bet that woman NEVER touched 4lo.
The beeping is the truck simply telling you the conditions are not met for it to engage. The actual sound is more of a MMMPFF.. the physical gear move.
Dignostics indicate everything is good to the TC motor. TC and actuator have been previously replaced. The owner I bought the truck from reports they did not replace either and added they never used 4wd. They asked why I thought I needed it (4wd). Hmmm. No help from that avenue. The mom works for a lawyer.
Transmission guys will break it open and see if they can bench repair. $1800 to replace TC case and actuator if it comes to that. Hoping for the $200 fix.
Transmission guys will break it open and see if they can bench repair. $1800 to replace TC case and actuator if it comes to that. Hoping for the $200 fix.
ME08Runner
New member
Could always try taking a rubber mallet to the case ... might loosen things up a bit - I've seen this work on seized parts before, but don't go crazy now. Good luck!!
ThreeFiveO
New member
If you don't have an immediate need for 4L I would keep trying to loosen the actuator with the methods others have posted before spending a few grand and tearing into the case. Just keep trying the switch over and over and it may start to loosen up. Maybe drain and refill the case with some new oil.
Just got the ugly word. TC is toast. Appears to them that someone had a problem with 4lo got into the TC to try and fix it, could not, and tried to make it work in 4H. The shift rails and motor fell apart upon removal. $1,700 installed for a used TC with 12 mo warranty. I bought the rig at $11,200 so for roughly $13K I should be on the road ready to roll to 200kmiles. OTOH I wonder what else is in store for me with this rig.
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bytemaster0
New member
Just had to replace the actuator on mine, $2300 from the Toyota dealership after I got them to come down considerably on the price of the actuator. The "beeping" is definitely that motor stuck, trying to move. A friend and I tried to open the actuator while it was still mounted to the transfer case, and all we succeeded in doing was messing up the 2Hi/4Hi+Center diff lock/4Hi actuator. It took 20 tries to get it back together with perfect gear timing, so without removing the actuator and ripping the seals, it wasn't really worth all that time. It shifts beautifully now though! Use it at least once a month to keep things working.
