4wd issue

[joe123]

Hello. I have a 2004 V6 auto transmission 4Runner. We got our first snow in a while and I cannot shift into H4. The lights on the dash just keep blinking. I have read many threads here and tried all the tips already, but the still cannot shift into H4.

I read a lot about actuator issues. It has probably been about a year since mine has been in H4. I am about 4K miles over 60K unfortunately.

Any ideas on what else to try?

Any ideas on how much to replace an actuator? I saw some higher numbers on here, like $2K, but that was for AllWD V8.

Any idea if Toyota is good about helping some for issues like this when you are just barely out of warranty?

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I don't know what to tell you other than review this post and the links contained therein. Wait for a warmer ambient temps and if you can get it to go into 4hi exercise it a few times and get the fluid changed in it for starters

 

[gm350reratliff]

Even my '08 was slow to shift into 4hi around christmas. If it didn't go into 4hi after about 20 seconds I would turn to 2hi then back to 4hi. It seemed to work every time. Temp. also seems to affect the system. It was about -20F when all this was happening. This past weekend it was 25 it went right in.

 

[flashbolt]

I too am a recent T4R adopter (06 Sport), and have to say I'm a little frustrated by the whole 4WD blinking light thing.
I used to have a Jeep Cherokee and it just had a lever you pull up when you want to switch into 4Hi. It was very mechanical and satisfying. Turning the knob and waiting while there are blinking lights on the dash just seems a little mickey mouse in comparison. I can just imagine my new T4R slipping off the road while its computer contemplates actually shifting into 4WD.

Overall I love my new 4runner, but I wish it did what I asked instead of trying to outsmart me.

 

[Nuke]

Thanks for the heads-up as I'm also a new 4th gen owner. I do exercise the system monthly although my '08 isn't my DD. I guess I need to be sure I do it monthly.

I still have my 3rd gen and used to have a 2nd gen, both of which had the lever to engage 4WD and were exercised religiously on a monthly basis. I really prefer the lever over the knob on the dash, especially since I tend to sit with my hand on the lever in bad weather, waiting for that moment that I get into trouble in 2WD and need an immediate shift to 4WD.

I don't put the truck into 4WD until I feel I really need it; people tend to lose their driving skills by depending on 4WD and engaging it at the first snowflake.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I am a warm weather guy but from what I read here it seems like parking it in 4HI when snow or severe cold is expected may not be a bad idea. gm350reratliff's experience seems to be somewhat common.

:cheers:

 

[Nuke]

... it seems like parking it in 4HI when snow or severe cold is expected may not be a bad idea...

:cheers:

Then I'd be concerned about engaging 4WD in advance, then coming out the next day and not being able to disengage it, especially if the roads were dry...

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Then I'd be concerned about engaging 4WD in advance, then coming out the next day and not being able to disengage it, especially if the roads were dry...

True but somewhat irrelevant... With the 4th gen T4R driving in 4HI all the time is fine (center diff lock 'unlocked' of course). Wet/dry, snow, it doesn't matter thanks to the Torsen differential within the t-case. The V8 guys are in 4HI (or 4LO), period. They have the same t-case minus the provisioning for 2HI. When we're in 4HI it's like (not quite the same as but like) being in an AWD drive vs a traditional 4wd mode. It's totally ok and designed to run on dry pavement.

:cheers:

 

[4runr30]

Even my '08 was slow to shift into 4hi around christmas. If it didn't go into 4hi after about 20 seconds I would turn to 2hi then back to 4hi. It seemed to work every time. Temp. also seems to affect the system. It was about -20F when all this was happening. This past weekend it was 25 it went right in.

Mine was hesitant as well over the past few days. We finally got some decent snow so it was used quite a bit. After the system had been used a few times the length of time it took to lock into 4 Hi decreased. I try to run the 4wd atleast once or twice a month to get the parts moving, but it is still slow to engage on most occasions.

 

[boostedprozac]

I've been on 4hi most of the winter. Been riding fine. I slip in and out of 4hi/2 when the weather gets better but it doesn't seem to hurt it. I just keep her under 63mph!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I just keep her under 63mph!

No need :bigok: Let her rip! Just don't try to select 4HI while going over 62-63mph...

:cheers:

 

[boostedprozac]

oh......good to know! I only put her back in 2wd to save a bit on gas. =)

 

[Redstone8]

I have an 05 Sport V6 and mine is in 4HI all the time since I bought the car 8months ago so I never had any issues like what most people are describing here. In fact my multi-mode switch needs replacement since it does'nt have the 2HI selection. The car was pre owned and I posted a thread a couple months back and most people concluded the switch was replaced by the former owner. Toyota confirmed this too after they ran the VIN. Anyway I plan to change it out in the spring time when it is warmer so I can at least have to option to switch back and forth between 2HI and 4HI the way it should be. V6 owners who use the 2HI mode most of the year should drive a few miles in 4HI mode at least one a month as the owners manual recommends.