4hi/4lo/differential is not engaging-just blinks-do i need electrical/transfercase??

[2007 4runner]

Need help from someone---just bought the car from a dealership this summer. I thought the 4hi worked but it just blinks(green) and never goes solid. Underneath a yellowish differential blinks as well and never engages. I try t push the differential button and nothing happens. When i put the car in 4lo it just beeps. I have read the directions under the visor and nothing works. Do you think that I need electrial work or a new transfer case? if so what do you think it costs???? and should i call the dealership? Has anyone else had this problem? thanks--joe 2007 4runner sport V6

 

[Doozi]

When you go from H2 > H4, are you moving? Sometimes it'll switch to H4 easier if you are moving... I usually switch between 5-15mph. Both lights (green and yellow) will blink until it engages, then just the green light will be on steady.

It won't go into L4 if you can't get it into H4 first... at least that's what I remember.

Most times it seems to be the actuator that fails or sticks. The fix is reported to be expensive. Are you in a cold area? It's been below zero the past couple of days here and mine has taken much longer than normal to engage/disengage... normally it pops in and out within a couple of seconds.

~Doozi

 

[2007 4runner]

Thanks----and yes when I move it does not engage. what does an actuator cost?

 

[simple]

Thanks----and yes when I move it does not engage. what does an actuator cost?

Dude, I waited in a parking lot for 30-45 mins waiting for the 4 lo to engage. I even tried coasting down a decline at a slow walk pace to see if it would do anything. What finally ended up working for me was continually cycling back and forth between 2wd, and 4lo letting it blink maybe 3-5 times or whatever, and that fixed it in about 5mins. I'd try that.

And as far as 4hi, try shifting into neutral and back into drive. Instant for me.

 

[Presta24]

I saw a post a week or two ago with a guy needing the actuator. I think he said the part was 750-1000k and the labor was around 1k. I think if I remember correctly his total was $2200.00, at a yota dealer. I would, if the is in fact your problem, try and find the part yourself and then take it to a well known shop, not dealer. Unless of course you can afford it than dealer on my good friend!

 

[sl0wd0wn]

I had the same problem when I bought my '07 Sport recently. Switch it to 4HI then try backing up about 40-50 feet. I'm told it "resets" the system. Not sure if there's any truth to that, but it's worked for me every time I've experienced the same problem as you.

 

[4RBob]

I had the 4WD control module (behind glove box) go on mine a long time ago. Alot cheaper than an actuator. I'm not sure though, but I don't think I would even get the blinking light....

Good luck

 

[scojoe]

get under there and give the actuator a little love tap with a wrench. mine was stuck and I just tap tap taped on it a couple times and it freed right up. (drivers side, the little black box bolted on the rear of the transfer case)

 

[subst4nce]

If you just bought it this summer, do you have a warranty? If so, call the dealership.

 

[2007 4runner]

is it covered?

get under there and give the actuator a little love tap with a wrench. mine was stuck and I just tap tap taped on it a couple times and it freed right up. (drivers side, the little black box bolted on the rear of the transfer case)

---do you think this covered under the 60000 mile power train warranty???

 

[2007 4runner]

is it covered by warranty??

If you just bought it this summer, do you have a warranty? If so, call the dealership.

---do you think this covered under the 60000 mile power train warranty???

 

[2007 4runner]

2007 4runner possible actuator problem???

---do you think the actuator is covered under the 60000 mile power train warranty???

 

[scojoe]

should be... call your dealer . i think someone on here got it done under warnty

 

[colombo]

It is most likely covered under powertrain warranty. Get them fix it. By the way, can you hear relay clicking when you try 4HI?

 

[2007 4runner]

I hope so!

It is most likely covered under powertrain warranty. Get them fix it. By the way, can you hear relay clicking when you try 4HI?

--I hope it is covered--- i will find out monday morning. And NO I have NOT heard any clicks or sounds when it tried to engage into 4wd

 

[colombo]

--I hope it is covered--- i will find out monday morning. And NO I have NOT heard any clicks or sounds when it tried to engage into 4wd

Then, it sounds like 4WD control block (not sure what it is called exactly). Update us on Monday though.

 

[ronsta]

Then, it sounds like 4WD control block (not sure what it is called exactly). Update us on Monday though.

I think you are referring to the 4WD ECU in the glove box. I hear mine clicking when I switch to 4Hi and attempt to switch to 4Lo.

I also have a 2007 v6 4wd that is having the same 4Lo issues. If it fixes with a couple of taps then that would be great but I am also going through toyota corporate customer service in an attempt to get this covered. They say the 4Lo actuator is not covered under the power train warranty, that it is covered in the basic which i am over by almost 3 years and 22000 miles. How convenient for them. I thought Toyotas were bullet proof. I did not think twice about buying my 4runner. Now it all depends on if toyota will step up to the plate and do the right thing.

Is it just me or is everyone else seeing a pattern here with the V6 4Lo not working like it should?

 

[KoNEJO]

I think you are referring to the 4WD ECU in the glove box. I hear mine clicking when I switch to 4Hi and attempt to switch to 4Lo.

I also have a 2007 v6 4wd that is having the same 4Lo issues. If it fixes with a couple of taps then that would be great but I am also going through toyota corporate customer service in an attempt to get this covered. They say the 4Lo actuator is not covered under the power train warranty, that it is covered in the basic which i am over by almost 3 years and 22000 miles. How convenient for them. I thought Toyotas were bullet proof. I did not think twice about buying my 4runner. Now it all depends on if toyota will step up to the plate and do the right thing.

Is it just me or is everyone else seeing a pattern here with the V6 4Lo not working like it should?

I do hAVE A 2007 v6 sr5 4x4 and i hAD THE SAME problem 4lo was not working.. i tried for about a week and nothing.. so one day after i came home from work i spent like 30 minutes trying and trying and nothing so i let the truck on idle with the 4lo on, the light was blinking (neutral and idle) for about 10 minutes and somehow it reset.. after that i have no problems.. i even called the dealer to make an appointment thank god i got it to work 2 days before i went... hope this helps....... so try this; put it in neutral ,4lo on, leave it idleing for about 10 minutes shut it off on neutral and restart it. that worked for me......good luck

 

[bigwebb83]

same problem here. I tried at random points for about a week. When the temperature finally got out of the 20's here in kansas city I flipped it back and fourth between 4hi and 4lo about 5 times and started to hear a slight click as if it were trying to engage. A few more times of this and it engaged. I have since tested it multiple times and it goes in within 3 seconds. I would say if you get it unstuck make it a habit to engage it briefly at least once a month so the actuator doesn't seize up

 

[OKBrian]

I have a 2004 sr5 4x4 V6 with the same problem. I have 70k miles on it and have had this 4runr since 2009 I rarely use 4wd so i had not been activating it very often. I hope mine starts working again. I will definitely activate it monthly to keep it freed up. I will probably call the Toyota dealership and complain.