4wd not initiating

[postaL]

i have a '94 4runner that won't go into 4-anything.

I lock the hubs, 4 high, and 4 low... nothing.

This is a "new" truck to me, so is there suppose to be a light on the dash that lets you know?

also, what are some things i should look at to see if maybe i can knock something around to fix this annoying problem.

thanks,
m.

 

[fourwd1]

Other than the lack of an indicator not lighting, how do you know 4WD is not working?

Auto or manual trans?

ADD or non-ADD front axle?

Manual hubs, auto hubs, or no hubs?

 

[postaL]

I live out here in the country.

I locked the front hubs, threw it into 4hi (even 4 low), and tried going up a dirt embankment. the back tires just sit there and spin, while the front does nothing.

it is a 3.slow automatic. and it does not have ADD.

 

[austintaco]

Sounds like its not engaging. Try putting it in 4wd and turning sharply, like a tight circle to see if it lurches. If not, yeah, its not working.

If you have auto hubs, that's probably the culprit, but if they are manual, then I am out of suggestions.

 

[postaL]

I took it over to a buddies house today to see if we could figure out what was going on with it.

We put it up on jacks so that no rubber was touching the ground. from there, we locked the hubs and put it in 4H to see if they'd spin.

... nothing.

The drive shaft that is going to the front differential is spinning, but the tires won't move.

From reading on other forums and such, noting that my 4WD light doesn't come on when in either 4H or 4L, makes me believe that the gearing in the front differential isn't clicking it (since that's where the sensor is to turn on the 4WD light).

I have my mechanic coming over tomorrow to check the hubs, and front differential to see what needs to be done.

i'll keep you guys posted. :biggrin2:

 

[n8buddy]

if the drive shaft turns but the tires dont, i think it is safe to assume you have ADD and someone converted it to manual hubs. check the vacuum lines.

 

[fourwd1]

if the drive shaft turns but the tires dont, i think it is safe to assume you have ADD and someone converted it to manual hubs. check the vacuum lines.

I agree, especially since the switch for the 4WD indicator light is in the ADD axle assembly on ADD equipped trucks, and in the t-case on none ADD.

 

[postaL]

Good call on the ADD.

This is a "new to me" '94 and i'm pretty fresh to the 4x4 scene so I wasn't 100% sure what I was looking at.

When people were mentioning ADD, I was looking for some type of switch in the cab since I have the manual hubs to switch to 4wd.

I just peaked outside before my mechanic got here and noticed the ADD unit sitting on the front of the differential. The wires connecting to the ADD Indicator Switch are pretty oiled up so I hope it didn't short anything out. Either way, i'll find out more in a few and let you guys know.

ps. Thanks for the vacuum line tip, ill have it looked into.

 

[postaL]

Turns out it was the ADD.

We permanately locked the front now so all i need to do is lock the hubs and i'm good to go.

thanks for the help guys.