4low (4l, 4lo) won't engage - followed propler procedure

[bigwebb83]

I was about to take mine into the dealer for this. I spent hours trying to get it to engage when it was 10's and 20's outside. I think it was gummed/froze up. I cycled it repeatedly for several days and eventually when the temp got above 35 (only variable that changed) I was sitting waiting to enter an automatic car wash one day and decided to put it in neutral and give it a try. It didn't immediately go in, but I heard a sort of clunking sound as if it were trying so I switched between 4hi and 4lo about 5 times and it finally went in. I tested it a few more times and it engaged eveytime and I haven't had a problem since then (knock on wood)

 

[ronsta]

I was about to take mine into the dealer for this. I spent hours trying to get it to engage when it was 10's and 20's outside. I think it was gummed/froze up. I cycled it repeatedly for several days and eventually when the temp got above 35 (only variable that changed) I was sitting waiting to enter an automatic car wash one day and decided to put it in neutral and give it a try. It didn't immediately go in, but I heard a sort of clunking sound as if it were trying so I switched between 4hi and 4lo about 5 times and it finally went in. I tested it a few more times and it engaged eveytime and I haven't had a problem since then (knock on wood)

So does that mean you're not taking it to the dealer this sat even though they committed to fixing it under warranty? Any more details about your truck would help, year, mileage etc... as i posted in the other thread they are telling me that the 4Lo actuator is only covered in the basic 3yr/36k mile warranty, not the power train warranty which i'm still covered under.

*unhappy with toyota at this point. How is an actuator a basic warranty item? common sense would tell you that anything related to the drive train of the vehicle esp the 4x4 system should be covered under the power train right?

When toyota had its recall issues I was still on their side but now that it's happened to me and they are denying liability for it I am having serious doubts about buying another toyota again...

4 toyota's within 22 years in my family...

 

[bigwebb83]

I wont be taking it. But I did make them commit to me that my 08 with 46k (certified with extended 100k powertrain only warranty) would be covered if the actuator needed to be replaced. I actually called a second time and said "I want to make sure the actuator is covered under the powertain warranty because the repairs can get expensive if it's not" the guy said "it is covered under the powertrain warranty, and yes you're right it can get expensive if it's not covered" this was service manager "Steve" at Jay Wolfe Toyota in Kansas City Missouri.

 

[bigwebb83]

for thoe still under warranty with the dealer trying to give you the run around

 

[Spaceman]

Well, I'm not sure what finally got it going, but it finally broke loose. I kept trying for several days at random, usually after I had driven somewhere and the engine was warm. Still would not shift. While visiting with my parents, I asked my dad about it and told him what I read here about knocking around on the actuator behind the transfer case, and we thought we would give it a whirl. We did not loosen any bolts, but while I was in the driver seat turning on and off the switch, my dad had a small block of wood (roughly 2" x 2" x 24") and was knocking around on the actuator. Nothing worked, and after about 5 minutes of this, we decided to give it up. The next day, my wife and I took a friend out to eat and after we got back home, I decided to try 4L again before I shut of the engine... I put it in nuetral, turned over the switch and CLUNK it shifted!! It was just a small clunk where it had been locked up. I then put it in drive and drove up the driveway a bit, then reversed back down the driveway, then put it back in 4H. I tried it again just to make sure it was still going to work, and it shifted again with no clunk in less than 2 seconds. I tried it again yesterday while the engine was cold and it still worked perfect.

:driving:

I am so glad this worked, although I will probably never need 4L for anything I do, but its nice to know things are working properly and its there in the event I do need it. I'm more of a lurker and do some reading on here, but I wanted to share my experience so maybe it would encourage others to keep trying and avoid handing any $$ to the stealership. I love this forum!! Thanks to all for contributing.

Soooooooooooooo.......... Do you think it was the Mobil 1 finally doing it's thing????

 

[ronsta]

Bigg, where is that page taken from?
BTW, the weather warmed up and 4lo is working again. no idea how or why but I guess this is the way Toyota designed it

 

[bigwebb83]

came from the warranty handbook that came with my runner.... seems like the warmer weather has helped a bunch of us. the good thing is if you keep it excersized then even the cold weather wont keep it stuck
,

 

[Pete]

Soooooooooooooo.......... Do you think it was the Mobil 1 finally doing it's thing????

I very well could be, although, I think knocking the actuator a bit and repeated tries after the engine is warm helped as well. I engage to 4L at random and it is still working, even in the cold.

It does seem Mobil 1 is some pretty good lube, but I might give Amsoil a try soon. I just found out there is finally a local place that sells it, and supposedly its $10/qt.

 

[bob3dsf]

Bump to an old thread --- but good info/good PMCS

I know this is an oldie, but decided to bump for the benefit of recent members/lurkers who HOPEFULLY don't have this issue yet.

MAKE SURE TO EXERCISE YOUR 4WD SYSTEM REGULARLY

I was exercising mine today and decided to try the 4LO (which I don't usually do) and it wasn't wanting to engage. "Oh no" I thought. Got it to engage once but failed subsequently earlier today. Went back out a bit ago to try again and after about 15-20 minutes got it to engage as it should. Maybe the cold snap had something to do with it earlier in combo with not doing a good job of regular exercise. I'm happy to see that my rig is doing ok, but do yourself a favor! Make sure to activate the system on a regular basis!

Happy 4Running!

 

[ronsta]

thx for the reminder!

 

[izautohasu]

4x4 Lights on

Hey guys , I have a 04 4Runner sport v6 with only 258k miles ! car is nice, engine works perfect, but something went wrong, My 4x4 lights are on, The green one and a yellow with an x. It looks like 4x4 works, engages from 2wd to 4x4. but the light is blinking all the time no matter what, once i put it in to 4LO the light just stays one and Traction is off. once i switch it back to 4x4HI or 2WD Traction control light stays on and 4x4 lights blink again. Please HELP ! If anybody ever had this happen before. THANK YOU ALL !

 

[Hlitehowse]

4×4 low range trouble

Just got under my 4runner today because of the thing was not switching to low range.
Found a broken hose on the actuator, cut end off and reinstalled. Removed electrical connector and put in dielectric grease. Tapped on actuator with rubber mallet. Still not going in, drove it around a bit and kept trying. Then was all messed up low 4 kept flashing in all modes, couldn't get out of 4wd. Then disconnected the battery and cleaned the terminals while at it, still not working. Drove forward and backward a few times then something magical happened, 4 low engaged and all modes working!!
My advice to u people with this problem, don't give up. Keep trying things and maybe some magic will happen to u!

 

[netslacker]

Since I can only reply to threads...

I'm considering a 4runner that has this issue (4lo won't engage). It's an 08 V6 4WD. Is this something I should run from or is it something I can likely get resolved without having to spend a fortune? If I had to guess I'd say it was rarely, if ever, used in 4lo.

Thoughts?

 

[fourwd1]

Since I can only reply to threads...

I'm considering a 4runner that has this issue (4lo won't engage). It's an 08 V6 4WD. Is this something I should run from or is it something I can likely get resolved without having to spend a fortune? If I had to guess I'd say it was rarely, if ever, used in 4lo.

Thoughts?

Its hard to say, it could be something inside tbe transfer case, which could prove expensive to fix.

 

[Proper.com]

reading through many posts, the breather seems to be the issue with lettin in condensation and freezing up the motors and gears


Crazy thought on my part, but wouldnt it be possible to just run a lithium grease spray or some type of lubricant down into the breather hose?! In which it will Coming contact with the dc motor and or anything else the water came in contact with?


Seems the simplest way to come in direct contact with the internals without actually tearing anything apart?!!!

 

[PJOT63]

Miraculous 4lo now works !

Hey guys. I have a 06 sr5 w 77k miles in oct 2019 Purchased this Thru fb thinking the lo worked via a toy dealership inspection. It did not. I tried all of these tips. Nothing worked. I just got it to work today!!! I saw a post where a guy tried it 100 times. It took me 55 attempts today. On 56 it went it and stopped beeping. From hi to lo and back. Foot on brake in N. It now slides into hi and lo like butter!!! Never give up.

 

[BreezyBliese]

Hi all! Long-time reader, first time poster.

I'm on my second 4th gen T4R but first with 4wd.

I've got a 2005 V8 Limited with 199k that I've had for a little over a month. Everything is in great shape except my 4L system. It seems that every time I try to switch from 4H to 4L, I get absolutely no indication that the truck is registering the switch. I'm getting no lights or beeps or buzzes after trying every "proper procedure" that I've been able to find.

I haven't heard of anyone having this specific sort of issue with the system so I'm wondering if you all can provide any insight.

Thanks!

 

[Bumbo]

Hi all! Long-time reader, first time poster.

I'm on my second 4th gen T4R but first with 4wd.

I've got a 2005 V8 Limited with 199k that I've had for a little over a month. Everything is in great shape except my 4L system. It seems that every time I try to switch from 4H to 4L, I get absolutely no indication that the truck is registering the switch. I'm getting no lights or beeps or buzzes after trying every "proper procedure" that I've been able to find.

I haven't heard of anyone having this specific sort of issue with the system so I'm wondering if you all can provide any insight.

Thanks!

Do you have an aftermarket stereo or any service work that prompted that panel to be removed?

Perhaps it never got plugged back in, or wasn't plugged in properly. that or the switch went bad which is unlikely but not impossible.

It's an easy troubleshooting step if you got a 10mm socket laying around.

Don't have to go this deep, but felt it worth showing an image of what you can see behind it. If you look up car stereo install videos, it gets you like 90% of the way there.

 

[BreezyBliese]

Do you have an aftermarket stereo or any service work that prompted that panel to be removed?

Perhaps it never got plugged back in, or wasn't plugged in properly. that or the switch went bad which is unlikely but not impossible.

Good point! I did install an aftermarket stereo when I got the truck (and likely before I ever attempted to use the dial).

I'll definitely open the panel back up and reset the connection to see if that works.

Thanks!

 

[goose17]

I've fixed this issue twice

I've had this issue on two of my 4th Gens. I fixed both with the heat and neutral hill roll backwards method. Wait for a really hot day and bake your 4Runner in the sun and also drive it around for an hour or so. Once it's nice and warmed up put the vehicle in 4WD Lo and let it slowly roll down a hill backwards.
Keep trying until you finally hear an awful grinding noise, it's the sound of the 4wd Lo engaging. After that you should have no issues.
I just finally got my 2008 to engage after trying this method for a few months. It just wasn't hot enough until today.