4wd

[ljshein]

Guys,

My 99 Limited 4x4 seems to not be shifting in and out of 4WD as easily as I would expect.

Using the button on the 4WD lever, the sensor on the dash just flashes after a bit, if I used the lever and lock the diff, it usually goes right away. The button by itself will still engage the 4WD but less than 50% of the time.

I always hear a little clunk shifting out of 4WD with either method. Kind of like using the button is not fully engaging the 4WD.

Any thoughts / suggestions?

The vehicle has 64K miles and it is due for a trans / diff fluid change.

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[lee]

the clunk is normal.

you have to be in motion to engage 4wd.. you know that right?

 

[ljshein]

thanks for confirming the clunk is normal.

yes, I'm aware the shift is made while in motion. I've also found I need to let off the gas for a moment and step again after the shift to get it to engauge.

The concern is that it doesn't seem to fully engauge using only the 4WD button. When I press the button (moving, let off and on the gass) it takse a few seconds and the 4WD indicator starts to flash instead of just the wheels turning steady green. Doesn't happen all the time but it seems more often than not.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Jeff

 

[4x4Runner09]

Ha i know exactly what you mean. I have the same 4x4 system as you. The button is "all-wheel" where you can drive on pavement and be fine. I use this for rainy days, but mine use to flash at me. Just try shiting into PARK and DRIVE and even try driving in REVERSE. But remember keep the wheels straight because I noticed even when it flashes it feels like its 4wd so you dont want to bind up the parts if your on pavement.

This system is a pain in the ass, but when it works it AWESOME!! I took to the dealer multiple times because I thought something was wrong, but they could not find anything. Just have patience with it.

 

[ljshein]

Thanks for the advice!

It's interesting to hear that I'm not the only one.

When I bought the truck 8 months ago it seemed to behave differently, that's why I thought a problem had developed.

I'll just keep an eye on it and be patient.

Thanks!

 

[bamaman]

I had that same problem. I put up with it for several months but noticed it getting worse until one day it would not shift at all. It turned out that the 4wd actuator was bad- a very expensive repair. but if you get the dealer to look at it before it gets as bad as mine did they might be able to stop it from going completley bad