4x4 problems

[justin83]

I have a 2000 4runner and the 4x4 lights are blinking. I took it to the dealership and they told me my acuator was out. I replaced it. They then told me my ECU was out and I replaced it. I then took it to a different shop and they replaced the nob on the 4x4 shifter and the indicator sensor (on the transfer case) and another sensor on the ft end by the acuator. It still does not work. I do not think that it is in 4x4, but with the lights blinking, I cannot put it in to the 4x4. I have also replaced the silonoids that run the vacume to the acuator, and I am currently geting vacume to one and vacume at the canaster and the acuator.
Any ideas?

 

[StreetKill831]

It will be a pain, but search all the wiring going to the actuator(or at least what you can access without removing everything). Look for bulges/cuts/discoloration/kinks/etc. in the wiring.

bulges= wire inside was split and has now corroded.
cuts= wire is cut(duh).
Discoloration= beginning of corrosion.
kinks= wire inside may be split and not making a connection.

If you find a spot in the wire like this, snip the bad section and reconnect. Remember to always use some sort of heat shrink to protect it.

You may have to remove whatever they wrapped around the wires in order to find the problem(usually a plastic sheath or electrical tape).

I would start at the wiring going directly into the actuator.

 

[justin83]

The only wires that go to the acuator are the wires for the senser. Which has no mechanical function.

 

[StreetKill831]

The transfer case actuator. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I had the same problem with my '00. It turned out to be a split wire connecting to the transfer case. Those wires aren't protected very well.

 

[justin83]

There are three conectors on the transfer case (counting the sensor) I have traced them up behind the transmission and they all apear (from what I can tell) to be fine. I can hear a click when I try to shift in and out of 4x4 and when shifting to low everything responds except the 4x4, I am still able to engage my dif. lock when the shifter is in 4L, which tells me that the electronics should be fine because you cannot engage dif. lock in any thing other than 4L.

 

[StreetKill831]

Do you know for sure whether or not it is in 4wd currently?

 

[justin83]

It is not in 4x4 now. I used it this am for hunting and when I shifted it out it began to blink again. There is no vacume going to the transfer case (I am not sure if there should be when in 2x4 or 4x4, but currently no vacume to that acuator. The line (what I can see) looked good and there was a tight seal.

 

[StreetKill831]

hmm.. only thing I can think would be to pull the transfer case actuator and then switch between 4x2 and 4x4 and watch if it is working.

 

[justin83]

Will I loose all my fluid in my transfer case if I pull it out?

 

[StreetKill831]

I've never pulled mine but I would expect you loose most of it. I would drain the transfer case first, pull the actuator test it, then when you figure it out just reinstall the actuator and refill with new gear oil.