4WD issues..

giguchan

giguchan

Senior Member
Hey all,
I went to use the 4WD the other day-but it didn't engage. I was able to physically get the Gear selector into position but still no 4WD.I was hearing the relay from the kick panel when i was shifting from 2H to 4H but still nothing.

Then after playing with it for about 25 min the Light came on and i was in business. I had fun in the snow for about 30 minutes never exceeding 35-40 MPH.. I then switched out of 4WD and back into 2WD and then back to 4WD still working.I switched it back to 2WD when i got home.

I went to use it the next day- Same thing shifter engaged no light and no 4WD. About 20 min went by shifter still engaged orange light popped on and the 4WD started to work. I know it might sound crazy but does the light actually dictate when it's supposed to work? Maybe the Fluid has to heat up or something? xfer case?

If anybody has any ideas. Please share.
Thanks.
 
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How long since activating? On my 5th gen, it was really a struggle to get in and out of 4wd when I first got it at 35,000 miles. Made sure to cycle it several times a month and now it engages and disengages quickly.

Also, old fluid may contribute to shifting issues.
 
Hey there,
I will have to admit...i dont exercise the 4wd as i should.. I was also thinking that might have a lot to do with it.
As for the fluid I'll bet it could use changing. it's going in for an oil change shortly.. i will have them look at it if i dont figure it out before then.
Thanks for the reply!
 
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giguchan said:
... does the light actually dictate when it's supposed to work? ...
Click to expand...

No, the light only reports if the 4WD is engaged, it doesn’t cause anything.

Not sure what could be causing this though.

I would definitely check the fluid and do a drain & fill.

Just off the top of my head, I’d check the vacuum hoses near the 4WD VCV (under/near the evap system). Make sure those are holding vacuum consistently and are not torn or have little holes or cracks in them.
 
Last edited:
giguchan said:
Hey there,
I will have to admit...i dont exercise the 4wd as i should.. I was also thinking that might have a lot to do with it.
As for the fluid I'll bet it could use changing. it's going in for an oil change shortly.. i will have them look at it if i dont figure it out before then.
Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...

There is a wire connector on the actuator underneath on the driver side . Sometimes the contacts get dirty. Spray it with electronics parts cleaner and see if it helps.
 
Bad Luck said:
What year is your 4Runner? Is it a limited trim?
Click to expand...

It's a 97 SR5... No Limited here!!

Thanks Guys.. I'll have a look for that Wire Connector and also have the Fluid in the Xfer case Drain/ filled.. and check the Hoses too.
I'm going in for a oil change and a few other things also.. i'll add this on the list. Sooo.. Just so i am clear regardless if i hear the relay clicking or not
If i dont see the orange light... there isn't any 4WD.
 
Last edited:
giguchan said:
regardless if i hear the relay clicking or not
If i dont see the orange light... there isn't any 4WD.
Click to expand...

Correct. Unless there’s a problem with your sensor/indicator light.

On my truck (2000 SR5), I could hear the relay clicking, but had no 4WD indicator light, and no 4WD, despite my front propellor shaft locking up correctly. I found vacuum leaks in both hoses for the 4WD VCV. When I fixed those leaks, my indicator light worked and all four wheels were spinning again.

FWIW, my 4WD indicator light is green, not orange.
 
Thank you,
I'll have a look at the Hoses.. it would be wonderful if it were this simple.
I'll report back.

*VCV stands for what?( i know i'm going to hate my self for asking.)
 
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cl4Rk said:
Correct. Unless there’s a problem with your sensor/indicator light.

On my truck (2000 SR5), I could hear the relay clicking, but had no 4WD indicator light, and no 4WD, despite my front propellor shaft locking up correctly. I found vacuum leaks in both hoses for the 4WD VCV. When I fixed those leaks, my indicator light worked and all four wheels were spinning again.

FWIW, my 4WD indicator light is green, not orange.
Click to expand...
I was just watching a YT Video and HIS light was green also. Maybe i just had a Case of the stupid and mine is Green too.. dunno why i thought it was orange. after i get it fixed i'll know for sure.
 
cl4Rk said:
Vacuum control valve
Click to expand...
Toyota normally calls them VSV = vacuum switching valve... but same thing.

On the '96-'00 non-Limited, the only actuator is the vacuum ADD actuator on the front diff. A switch on the transfer case activates the relay in the passenger footwell, which powers the VSV's to swap vacuum direction on the ADD actuator. When the ADD actuator moves, it hits a switch that turns on the dash light.

Since you hear the ADD relay working, the transfer case portion of the system is working. Check the ADD vacuum lines. Check the VSVs themselves. If 4WD *feels* engaged but the light is off, it could just be the indicator switch on the front diff.

Also, things could just be sticky due to non-use. The system should be actuated at least 1 a month. Toyota says 5-10 miles every month. Just pick a straight section of road and engage 4WD every so often. I just do a couple of side streets every month (put it in 4WD at a stop light/sign - then disengage next time I have to turn).

-Charlie
 
Thanks Guys...
I'm going to try to check myself before we get another snowfall. I had way too much fun the other day before this happened. It would be nice if i could get this fixed myself.
 
phattyduck said:
Toyota normally calls them VSV = vacuum switching valve... but same thing.

On the '96-'00 non-Limited, the only actuator is the vacuum ADD actuator on the front diff. A switch on the transfer case activates the relay in the passenger footwell, which powers the VSV's to swap vacuum direction on the ADD actuator. When the ADD actuator moves, it hits a switch that turns on the dash light.

Since you hear the ADD relay working, the transfer case portion of the system is working. Check the ADD vacuum lines. Check the VSVs themselves. If 4WD *feels* engaged but the light is off, it could just be the indicator switch on the front diff.

Also, things could just be sticky due to non-use. The system should be actuated at least 1 a month. Toyota says 5-10 miles every month. Just pick a straight section of road and engage 4WD every so often. I just do a couple of side streets every month (put it in 4WD at a stop light/sign - then disengage next time I have to turn).

-Charlie
Click to expand...

Thanks again Charlie
I am indeed guilty of not exercising the system as i should... However i have done it in the past but not nearly as what is recommended.I'll start tomorrow looking things over. Oh.. 4WD does not feel engaged due to fishtailing all over the place.. when it was working that day all i had to do was tap on the throttle and all 4 Duratracs pulled me where i wanted to go.. when it stopped- so did i!
Again thank you.
 
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**An Update Not a big one but one just the same.

I crawled under the truck and check for everything
that i was advised to from Members on this board.I
could not find any wiring issues nor any vacuum hoses
that messed up either. I had to bring the truck in for it's
Oil change and while there i asked them to have a look.

The dealer struck out also.I received a lot of excuses from the Service advisor is all i got. The only excuse i am buying is that while i was there on a Saturday GET EM IN GET EM OUT! they could not spare one tech to actually DO any trouble shooting.. What is needed is a Tech who works on these old trucks..
Luckily i think i found one. More next time.
 
Another quick update

Hey all,
It has been determined that the Front diff actuator is indeed bad.
Has anyone had any success in replacing this(with limited tools and know how) or is this better left to the Dealer? I was quoted out the door $800 minus the diag service Fee.The Part itself isn't too bad@$375.
Thanks.
 
giguchan said:
Hey all,
It has been determined that the Front diff actuator is indeed bad.
Has anyone had any success in replacing this(with limited tools and know how) or is this better left to the Dealer? I was quoted out the door $800 minus the diag service Fee.The Part itself isn't too bad@$375.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
The worst part will be dropping the front diff. Here's a video of the front diff removal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_gPiDvh9v4
 
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