4WD won't click in.

[Kafka15]

My 98 SR5 4WD four runner wouldnt click into 4wd. I can shit in and out of it, green light comes on saying its engaged but wouldn't get the fronts going.

 

[jgue467]

And you know the fronts are not engaged because you can make the rears slip alone? Change the center diff fluid? Check any fuses on 4wd system?

 

[rigtec]

My 98 SR5 4WD four runner wouldnt click into 4wd. I can shit in and out of it, green light comes on saying its engaged but wouldn't get the fronts going.

Hi kafka,

I had a 98 sr5 (4x4) before I got the truck I have now. I rmbr reading the '98 repair manual regarding the 4wh drive controls, and it was controlled by a couple of electric solenoids located under the hood, on the driverside wheel well, near the fuse/Rly box.

The guide advised that you drive the vehical in 4 hi once a month to keep the actuators (in the transfer case) lubricated. Try working them by moving the truck fwd and backwrds several times to see if they'll engage on their own, before going crazy troubleshooting.

It seems that the system is energized as indicated by the green light on the instrument panel. If that doesn't work, you can check the solenoids (mentioned above) to see if they're getting an electrical signal (12vdc), using a multimeter or test light.

If they are getting 12v then... (I think that system is E/P electric/pneumatic; been awhile) you'll need to check the lines (hoses) that go down to the x-fer case to see if they're all still connected and supplying vacuum down below. If they're not getting 12v, check the fusebox. Beyond that point, I don't know how comfortable you are taking the box apart...

I think there are a couple of threads/ tutorials on this very subject with pictures of the actuators being replaced; you may want to check or get the 1996 thru 2002 4Runner, Tacoma/T-100 manual to do it right.

rigtec, best to you!

 

[flyinbrick]

First, are you sure it isn't going into 4wd? My understanding is that the 4wd light is triggered by a sensor at the ADD on the axle when it senses that the front driveshaft and axle is engaged. So if the light is switching on when you put it in 4wd, the solenoids should be working and the problem should be further down stream at the ADD or the drivetrain. Hope this helps.