4x4 low gear problem

[toyota4]

hi whats up evry one i'm newly registered on the site-its a good one!!!

i got a 4runner 04 recently (the v-8) and 4 some reason i can't shift it to low (i stop the car completely, put it on neutral, turn the knob to 4L, and put it on drive) the 4L light blinks and makes a beeping sound. (It does not feel like it shifted to low gear) Any ideas why? Thanks

 

[Acidmeld]

You need to wait in neutral til it shifts to 4l before shifting to drive. The light will blink and then turn solid when its shifted. If it hasnt been used often it could take a while to actuate. Good mainenance is to shift in and out of 4lo a few times a week. That will keep the actuators from freezing up. As the old saying goes "use it or lose it"

 

[EvilMonkey]

You need to wait in neutral til it shifts to 4l before shifting to drive. The light will blink and then turn solid when its shifted. If it hasnt been used often it could take a while to actuate. Good mainenance is to shift in and out of 4lo a few times a week. That will keep the actuators from freezing up. As the old saying goes "use it or lose it"

You don't need to shift into 4low a few times every week. Every couple of months or even 2 times a year will work.

 

[teampwr2]

You don't need to shift into 4low a few times every week. Every couple of months or even 2 times a year will work.

LOL... You make it sound Like its a tough thing to do or too time consuming ? Like the man Said .. Use it or Lose ...It

Its take 15 seconds to do and should be exercised regular.
I Go wheeling every week so mine get a work out ,but do to the amount of threads on here regaurding this problem I would advise at least once a week if your vehicle is out of warranty

Just my .02

 

[sandp500index]

hi whats up evry one i'm newly registered on the site-its a good one!!!

i got a 4runner 04 recently (the v-8) and 4 some reason i can't shift it to low (i stop the car completely, put it on neutral, turn the knob to 4L, and put it on drive) the 4L light blinks and makes a beeping sound. (It does not feel like it shifted to low gear) Any ideas why? Thanks

You sound liike me about 2 months ago. I bought the same 4R. I had the same exact problem. It was under warranty. They tried to replace the 4WD computer first. It didn't work. They then needed to replace the actuator in the 4WD that shifts into 4WD Low. It was no cost to me. However, I asked them what the cost would have been. He said the repair was a few thousand dollars. (Hate to break that to you) The part is something like $1500 and the repair takes 6+ hours.

I hope this is covered under a warranty because it is likely expensive to repair. I can tell you that I love the 4WD Low. I swear you could drive up the side of a building in 4WD Low.

I hope it works out well for you.

 

[toyota4]

You need to wait in neutral til it shifts to 4l before shifting to drive. The light will blink and then turn solid when its shifted. If it hasnt been used often it could take a while to actuate. Good mainenance is to shift in and out of 4lo a few times a week. That will keep the actuators from freezing up. As the old saying goes "use it or lose it"

I tried this, the light never went off.

sandp400index, I appreciate your info. I hope I'll find some other options, since I'm not under warranty.

 

[EvilMonkey]

LOL... You make it sound Like its a tough thing to do or too time consuming ? Like the man Said .. Use it or Lose ...It

Its take 15 seconds to do and should be exercised regular.
I Go wheeling every week so mine get a work out ,but do to the amount of threads on here regaurding this problem I would advise at least once a week if your vehicle is out of warranty

Just my .02

Really, how did I make it sound tough???? I bought my 4runner in Texas and I'm pretty sure 4low was never engaged. Works just fine. Every time I've needed it.

 

[wpsharpshooter]

Had this issue last week... I put it in neutral and kept switching back n forth between low and high... finally went in...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

We tap the transfer case with a hammer while trying to shift it into 4th if the actuator get sticky.

 

[JB.]

We tap the transfer case with a hammer while trying to shift it into 4th if the actuator get sticky.

The aluminum case or the black plastic box?

 

[redx]

I have a serious issue with my 05 V8 4x4 sportEd. I tried shifting into L4 and got the 4Lo light blinking but funny thing was I couldnt shift back into H4 and was stuck for a few hours.
kept trying and finally got it into L4 and drove to a garage. the shift actuator had a bad crack right across and now the car wont go back into H4.

Mech recommends i buy a new transfer assembly (case + actuator) as he believes we can't hook a hook a new actuator to the case. He says the rods are out of setting and would likey damage a new actuator. actuators cost about $1000 so i don't want to experiment. any ideas?

should I just go ahead and get a new transfer assembly?

 

[cabowally]

LOL... You make it sound Like its a tough thing to do or too time consuming ? Like the man Said .. Use it or Lose ...It

It takes 15 seconds to do and should be exercised regular.
I Go wheeling every week so mine get a work out ,but do to the amount of threads on here regarding this problem I would advise at least once a week if your vehicle is out of warranty

Just my .02

Right.... My experience has been the same, if it's not used at least a couple of times a month it's going to be a little cranky the first couple of times.

Also, the OM gives this little piece of troubleshooting advice:

If the “4LO” (low speed four–wheel drive)
indicator light continues to blink when you
operate the four–wheel drive control
switch knob to the “H4” or “L4” position,
drive forward or backward in a short distance,
then stop the vehicle completely,
shift the automatic transmission selector
lever securely into “N” and operate the
switch knob again.
If the indicator continues to blink even if
doing so, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. There may be a trouble
in the four–wheel drive system. (i'd try it a BUNCH of times before I went looking for a dealer...)