4h to 4L issue
- Thread starter coolkidd
- Start date
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AuSeeker
Elite Member
Yeah this is what I was thinking. 4h works fine, with the lock I shouldn’t be in any situation I can’t get out of. I think I’ll steer clear of trying to “force” it into 4lo.
I did read this thread. But if it goes into 4h no problem could it still be the actuator?
BagiMT
Member
Yes, there are two different motors in the actuator, one for 4Hi/Center diff lock and one for 4Lo.
I did not know that. Thanks for the info!
I’ve had it running in 4high for the last 3 days. We got a monster snow storm in Seattle. Before that it had been a while since it was run in 4x4 at all.
Chronus
Member
Good luck. Hopefully it will fix itself. Leave it on 4low for a few minutes, and keep trying it.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Keep trying to get it to go into 4Low, as mentioned it may at some point become unstuck, I have read of a couple of T4Rs that it became unstuck after trying for as long as a month or so.
If you do get it to unstick or get it fixed, heed the advice in the topic I linked above and once a month go through all the 4WD positions or if not it could get stuck again.
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I had the same problem... I just kept switching it to 4lo everyday and on one day I literally tried like 15 times over and over and it worked and ever since I ek do it once a week just to keep it working. Don’t go to Mecanchic just keep attempting it
That same snow storm made me realize my 4Lo won't activate like yours.
I haven't actually needed it in the almost 4 years I have had the truck. I didn't need it this time either I just wanted to see if it would work.
I'll definitely try to activate every day in different conditions before doing any repair. Or I may never do the repair.
There's a thread on here for how to remove the transfer case and replace the actuator. And the actuator is about $525. Not as expensive as it used to be, but still expensive if you don't really need 4Lo.
Fixing the transfer case shift motor leak from within..
Did you happen to make a video of the tcase removal and disassembly? I linked a thread in my other reply on this thread that walks through how to do it, but the OP didn't do a video.
alextmullis
New member
I work for a Toyota in the Seattle area and after that first snow storm we saw numerous vehicles come in for that. It was always the actuator.
I'm afraid I didn't make any video of that process. The process has been documented well enough that I think most DIYers can fill in the gaps as needed.
