Newby just purchased a 2007 v6 very clean 100K. When I switch to 4H both green &yellow lights flash and is not in 4wd. If I push the diff lock (take a little bit to come on) it turns both lights solid and turns off vsc (light comes on). It looks like the transfer case accuater is brand new. It also appears the lock switches to 4wd. I don't have a qwners manual yet. Any help would be great. Thanks Rick
4wd problem 4th Gen
- Thread starter RD9146
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montijo505
Senior Member
If it's going into 4hi when you lock the diff then it works. Try letting it roll slightly forward when the lights are blinking. Usually helps. Sometimes if it's taking too long I'll put it in drive and very slowly ease off the brake and then it'll clunk into 4hi.
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
Thanks for the reply, It does not appear to engauge when I switch to 4H while driving. I have tried it from a dead stop and same thing both lights just flash. The last time I tried 4L from a dead stop in netural they flashed and it was beeping. It looks to have a new transfer case accuater I could not see if the front one was replaced.
If the lights are blinking, then it isn't engaging correctly.
Try shifting from 2wd to 4wd high with a slight roll.
Mine takes a few seconds to engage.
For 4wd Low, you need to be completely stopped before shifting. If it is beeping, then there is a problem and the 4wd isn't fully engaged.
There should be no beeping and you should have the 4wd indicator on the dash (when shifting into 4wd high).
Sometimes the actuator gets stuck so shifting from 2wd to 4wd and back again multiple times frees it up.
try this and let us know how it goes.
Try shifting from 2wd to 4wd high with a slight roll.
Mine takes a few seconds to engage.
For 4wd Low, you need to be completely stopped before shifting. If it is beeping, then there is a problem and the 4wd isn't fully engaged.
There should be no beeping and you should have the 4wd indicator on the dash (when shifting into 4wd high).
Sometimes the actuator gets stuck so shifting from 2wd to 4wd and back again multiple times frees it up.
try this and let us know how it goes.
MrSeth
Member
IF the new unit cogs aren't timed correctly, then the little shafts that engage the 4wd system won't engage all the way. A dealership or Toyota specialty shop should be able to verify that tho.
I only have the AWD model, so my 4wd option is either hi or low. :llama:
Try rolling the vehicle in Neutral then go from 2H to 4H. Mine intermittently doesn't want to go into 4H while I'm in drive. It sure doesn't help when I'm at higher speeds but it normally works well for me. 2L requires the vehicle to be at a dead stop.
CameronMagee
New member
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o9T4R
New member
Having same issue with mine. 2009 V6 4x4 with only 82k miles....:rant:
I noticed at around 75k miles when trying to engage into 4h/4LO that it was taking a bit more time than usual to switch over, but would eventually go with doing the normal forward to reverse method....but now it wont engage at all no matter what.. Pretty disappointed for this to be happening at fairly low mileage. I dont have the time or space to be able to work on it so I took it to a local Toyota/Lexus shop near me and dude was telling me its the actuator in the rear not up front? Anyways , he quoted me 800 to get it fixed. Will probably end up going this route cause I refuse to take it to the stealership.
I noticed at around 75k miles when trying to engage into 4h/4LO that it was taking a bit more time than usual to switch over, but would eventually go with doing the normal forward to reverse method....but now it wont engage at all no matter what.. Pretty disappointed for this to be happening at fairly low mileage. I dont have the time or space to be able to work on it so I took it to a local Toyota/Lexus shop near me and dude was telling me its the actuator in the rear not up front? Anyways , he quoted me 800 to get it fixed. Will probably end up going this route cause I refuse to take it to the stealership.
m3y3rRunner
New member
This is a very common issue with the 4th gen design. With lack of use the mechanism gets "gummed" up and will get stuck. Many people on the board subscribe to the process of putting the truck into the different modes, 4HI, Diff Lock and 4LO once a month to make sure all the actuators stay exercised.
There is a bunch of threads on here on solutions. Replacing, manually moving with force or electricity, etc.
I bought a 08 Limited V6 with a bad timing chain and had been sitting for quite some time. I had the same issue and followed the electricity thread and was able to get it back to functioning.
Fixed my T-Case actuator w/ electricity and logic.
Good luck, hopefully it doesn't cost you too much money to get it sorted. Replacing can be expensive as the part is not cheap $500-1000 and involves removing and splitting the transfer case.
Matt
There is a bunch of threads on here on solutions. Replacing, manually moving with force or electricity, etc.
I bought a 08 Limited V6 with a bad timing chain and had been sitting for quite some time. I had the same issue and followed the electricity thread and was able to get it back to functioning.
Fixed my T-Case actuator w/ electricity and logic.
Good luck, hopefully it doesn't cost you too much money to get it sorted. Replacing can be expensive as the part is not cheap $500-1000 and involves removing and splitting the transfer case.
Matt
Heffernan
Member
Yeah, mine seems finicky at times as well. I have the best luck switching from 2H to 4H while moving, either at a crawl or ~35mph going down the road. I believe the manual says you can engage it up to 60mph.
Most recently it didn't want to disengage. The lights just kept blinking. Came to a stop, switched the dial back to 4H, starting driving slowly down the road and switch it back to 2H and it switched almost instantly.
I think the only thing is that you need to keep the wheel straight while it's engaging/disengaging, is that correct?
Like someone said above, I try to use the system once a month just to keep thing lubed up, but it does seem to be a finicky system.
Most recently it didn't want to disengage. The lights just kept blinking. Came to a stop, switched the dial back to 4H, starting driving slowly down the road and switch it back to 2H and it switched almost instantly.
I think the only thing is that you need to keep the wheel straight while it's engaging/disengaging, is that correct?
Like someone said above, I try to use the system once a month just to keep thing lubed up, but it does seem to be a finicky system.
Brentcollins
New member
Yea manual says you can engage 4hi up to 65 MPH. 4hi you need to be rolling a little bit to engage. 4lo needs to be stopped in neutral. Mine always takes a little longer to engage the first time but after running all day on the trails it will go between 2wd, 4hi, and 4lo in a second. Just needs to get warmed up a little bit.
