4WD is slow to engauge

[Revitup]

I have an 2008 urban runner that goes into 4WD slow. When I switch the button into 4WD the two lights just blink and blink for miles. I'm under 50mph when I do this. This can't be normal? I'm thinking a relay or something must be bad? It's a new car with only 5000 miles. I don't think it was ever fast. Anyone else have this problem before?

 

[Mabuse]

1. You must be going straight, no turning or phasing

2. Try taking foot off gas, applying break, accelerating slightly, etc. I find a little manipulation of speed causes it to engage faster.

But I've never had it take miles. Maybe 1/4 mile tops.

 

[zgs007]

1. You must be going straight, no turning or phasing

Mabuse is correct on this. I had the same problem when I got my SR5. I brought it back to the dealership to check it out. Everything turned out fine though. After awhile, everything turned out normal.

 

[parboy]

There are fail safe measures in place. If it does not like the conditions it will not switch. I never switch faster then 45. I know it says its safe o do over that speed try switching it on a 45 mph road coasting under light or no acceleration. Whem I do that it takes all od 10 seconds as opposed to higher speeds.

 

[alaskaman]

1 above 40 it takes longer
2 with gas pedal pressure above 40 it takes even longer
3 it likes it with no gas pedal pressure below 25
4 if it's very cold it takes it's time.

 

[EH007]

1. You must be going straight, no turning or phasing

2. Try taking foot off gas, applying break, accelerating slightly, etc. I find a little manipulation of speed causes it to engage faster.

But I've never had it take miles. Maybe 1/4 mile tops.

Yes, engage while going straight, but it will always engage within a 2 or 3 seconds if you are coasting rather than accelerating. I learned this from trial and error. As long as you have your foot off the gas pedal and you're still moving, the 4wd should engage very quickly.

BTW, you can also engage at a complete stop if you're lucky. If the hubs are in the right position to mesh, then it will engage. If not, you can get them to engage my moving forward or backward slightly, just enough to get the hubs in proper alignment.

But the fastest way to engage 4wd is definitely coasting on a straightaway. Try it.

 

[banker1]

BTW, you can also engage at a complete stop if you're lucky. If the hubs are in the right position to mesh, then it will engage. If not, you can get them to engage my moving forward or backward slightly, just enough to get the hubs in proper alignment.

You don't need to move backward or forward slightly.... I found engaging 4WD from a dead stop requires cycling from R to N to D, usually goes in within 5-10 seconds. Something about taking the load off the transmission/ transfer case when going to N then loading it up going to R or D (or both) seems to make it work perfectly. Just remember to get back into D before stepping on the gas :awais:

 

[EH007]

You don't need to move backward or forward slightly.... I found engaging 4WD from a dead stop requires cycling from R to N to D, usually goes in within 5-10 seconds. Something about taking the load off the transmission/ transfer case when going to N then loading it up going to R or D (or both) seems to make it work perfectly. Just remember to get back into D before stepping on the gas :awais:

No, normally you do not need to move forward or backwards to engage 4wd. I was talking about the rare instance that the splines on the hubs are not aligned properly. If your 4Runner is stopped and the hubs are not aligned properly, you must move forward or backwards slightly to allow the 4wd to engage. Cycling the gear selector will not help in that case because it will not correct the alignment of the hubs.

 

[Mike07SE]

Sometimes sawing the wheels back and forth helps (when at a stop). Also the hub disconnects are air actuated. If the system is hardly used or the truck is cold I believe it can take longer.

 

[banker1]

No, normally you do not need to move forward or backwards to engage 4wd. I was talking about the rare instance that the splines on the hubs are not aligned properly. If your 4Runner is stopped and the hubs are not aligned properly, you must move forward or backwards slightly to allow the 4wd to engage. Cycling the gear selector will not help in that case because it will not correct the alignment of the hubs.

Ah... misunderstood your original post. My apologies.

 

[GMZ]

Ive found that the op temp as well as ambient temp will affect the time it takes to do the switch, albeit slightly. No where near minutes/miles though. I did notice that after I swapped the diff fluids and greased the zerks it was near instantaneous, like 2-3 seconds. I try not to make the switch while its under load.