4Lo not engaging

[Chronus]

I recently got a 2004 4runner that had been sitting for a couple years. When I switch from 4h to 4L, the 4L light just blinks. I've put it in neutral, apply brake, and go from 4h to 4L. Center dif works on 4h. I've spent about an hour driving on 4H, switching between 4h and 4l, and letting it roll when switching. Is there anything that could be causing it other than a bad actuator?

 

[Bumbo]

When you say letting it roll when switching, I presume you mean in neutral?

 

[Chronus]

When you say letting it roll when switching, I presume you mean in neutral?

Yep!

 

[theoutbackdream]

I recently got a 2004 4runner that had been sitting for a couple years. When I switch from 4h to 4L, the 4L light just blinks. I've put it in neutral, apply brake, and go from 4h to 4L. Center dif works on 4h. I've spent about an hour driving on 4H, switching between 4h and 4l, and letting it roll when switching. Is there anything that could be causing it other than a bad actuator?

It's probably a stuck actuator...

Try letting the car roll by itself at a very slow speed(ie: on a gradual slope), while it's trying to engage 4Lo without applying the brake.

 

[TowMeOut]

yep...common failure point. Two shift rods in the T-case. One switches between 2Hi-4Hi. Other rod switches between 4Hi-4Lo. That one gets used much less so it tends to stick. Some folks have had luck with trying on a particularly warm day or heating up the actuator with a hairdryer or heat gun (take it easy on the plastic). Quite a bit of tapping and swearing at it never hurts.....

 

[fdbyrne]

I was in the same boat. Just keep trying it whenever you think to. After a few months mine just started working again. Now I make sure to engage 4lo once a month to keep it freed up. Haven't had a problem since.