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

[aromanov]

Hello,
I bought the used 4runner with 120 000 mile.
I tested tho 4LO mod and have same problem.

In maintenace manual is recomended change the oils.
I do this. But the problem stayed.

I read, thet some guy clear this issue in hot weather.
I thinked, that is need hot the oil in transfer case.

Yesterday I was in the forest. There was a big rise. Motor was very hot.
I tr change the mode to the 4LO and for 2nd it WAS !

I tried it for more time and everyone was OK !

I think, that we must change this mode from time to time.

Maybe help this information to someone.
Alex from Czech republic

 

[rtuck1]

2007 se

I bought my 07 SE down in Miami. The guy had NEVER engaged the 4wd system. It had 37k miles on it when i got it. I had tried to engage it during the test drive and it wouldn't engage so i figured i wasn't doing it right and would figure it out later (Toyota's are bullet proof, right?) Well i got it home and no luck. After about an hour of me being off road with the switch in 4hi it kicked it. I have used it once every week since then at least, i do a lot of off roading.

My Suggestion: Find a dirt road that is somewhat rough. Stick it in 4hi and go tearing down it. Once you have bounced the actuator around enough it should engage. Worked for me.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

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!

If you are not mechanically inclined, I would not recommend doing this yourself. The actuator that everyone is referring to is the center differential one and is not as easy to replace as the front differential. It requires disassembly of the entire transfer case as the actuator is pinned into the transfer case housing.

Also, a lot of the problems that people encounter are because these actuators rarely get used and they stick. It is a very common issue at the dealership since not many people use their 4x4 in our area. Usually tapping it with a hammer while trying to shift or driving it on some bumps and shifting back and forth will help it along.

 

[bigwebb83]

turn it back and forth repeatedly between 4 hi and 4 lo until you start to hear it. You'll hear the actuator hum at first and eventually it will engage.

 

[co2tx]

This might help you with all your regards bro. Hope you figure it out and let me know if you have any other questions...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...-4hi-engages-fine-dealership-couldnt-fix.html

 

[92westshady]

Just purchased a 2008 Limited V8 full time 4 wheel drive with 65k miles. PO said he never touched the switch ever. 4LO wouldn't engaged on test drives and I sued the issue as bargaining chip during purchase assuming at the very least i would have to buy the $500 part and attempt to crack the T-case open to replace the actuator. Wellt he other day as temps rose about 70deg I spent ten minutes in the street in frotn of my house rolling forward and back, flipping the switch and flipping stopped and rolling and low and behold after a dozen or more attempts it finally engaged and now engages in a couple seconds. Nothing fels better than fixing something for free that could have cost you a couple thousand dolalrs. I plan to flip the switch a couple times a week for the rest of my ownership or at least whenever I think about it.

 

[cbelisle]

I had a similar issue, and I unplugged the 4WD ECU for a couple minutes, and it seemed to solve the problem. I then switched between all the modes about 50 times just to make sure it's all working smoothly.

 

[Chronus]

Much thanks to everybody! I put it in 4lo for 10 minutes, switched to 4hi for 5 minutes, drove a few minutes, and put it back in 4lo. And bam!! A 4runner that had been sitting for at least 2 years fixed itself.

 

[grave]

now go swap all your transfer case and differential fluid.