4x4 not working

[campinglab]

Hi everyone,

New to this forum and new to 4Runners also.
Been reading around and found very good info but have not been able to find the answer to the problem I am having.
Just bought my brother's 2000 SR5, excellent condition with full service records, etc, etc.
but the 4x4 is not engageing.
He did not wheel the truck but used the 4x4 in the Michigan winters, and eventhough he told me that it sometimes took a little while to engage it always did.
I drove the truck home to Miami, Fl and the 4x4 does not work.
I searched and found a thread on the subject but the info on it is pretty vague. Some talk about dirty sensors other about switches malfunctioning and other about vacuum lines, and all of it is second hand experience, so I am wondering if there is anyone that has fixed the problem themselves and could point me in the right direction?
I will greatly appreciate any help since I really can't spare the cash to take the truck in to the repair shop.


Regards

Fernando

 

[4reak]

i have a 2000 limited 4wd and my 4wd didnt engage for a while either. i read around and what i found to work was, if you engage your 4wd, and then put the car in reverse, and reverse for a little bit, then drive forward, it should engage. it worked for me.

 

[Andrew_I]

If the vehicle is rolling forward in gear it should engage. I find just putting the car in neutral. Do you have a stick shift 4WD? If you do, to start locating your problem you should attempt putting the truck in 4wd with the stick and see f it works.

 

[4reak]

If the vehicle is rolling forward in gear it should engage. I find just putting the car in neutral. Do you have a stick shift 4WD? If you do, to start locating your problem you should attempt putting the truck in 4wd with the stick and see f it works.

what do you mean by stick 4wd? do you mean manual shifting 4wd? or a manual transmission with 4wd? if you mean manual shifting 4wd, thats what i have. and i tried to engage it again yesterday, and still, i engaged it on the fly, and after 15 mins, the lights were still flashing and nothing was engaging. even at a complete stop, i tried to engage the 4wd and nothing. until i put my car into Reverse, and backed up for about 5ft, and then back forward, did the 4wd engage.

 

[campinglab]

I have tried mine going forward, in reverse, stopping, going, etc. and the light doesn't even flash, it does nothing. I was told to check the vacuum lines that go to the front diff. and they seem to be ok, don't know what else to check, any sugestions?

 

[4reak]

I have tried mine going forward, in reverse, stopping, going, etc. and the light doesn't even flash, it does nothing. I was told to check the vacuum lines that go to the front diff. and they seem to be ok, don't know what else to check, any sugestions?

i know this might sound a little dumb, but can you tell me how you are engaging the 4wd, or trying to engage it? what are you doing exactly?

 

[campinglab]

Generally I just pull the lever to the 4HI position while driving straight ahead. I have tried pressing the clutch, without pressing the clutch, with the transmission in neutral and in gear.

 

[4reak]

Generally I just pull the lever to the 4HI position while driving straight ahead. I have tried pressing the clutch, without pressing the clutch, with the transmission in neutral and in gear.

sorry, but i have nothing else to say. i have no clue whats wrong with it.

 

[chad99]

damm man if the lights don't even flash, sounds like its not even trying to engage, problem sounds electrical