sport2004
Member
Thanks for the comment. I hope I didn't screw anything up.
4x4 PSA: Use it or lose it monthly reminder
- Thread starter Kmvreter
- Start date
sprocketus
New member
Hopefully not, it is a pretty stout system. Keep at it, and perhaps it will free up and engage like mine did.
sport2004
Member
Thanks, just tried it, no go...at least it goes into H4 normally.
sprocketus
New member
This is a previous post in this thread:
"Honestly I just drive my V8 4WD a hundred to a few hundred feet or so in a straight line (important to keep it straight on pavement) at least once a month with the center differential locked to exercise it. While its an oft not used function, there is a mechanical linkage to lock-up the planetary gearset that makes up the central differential.
As for V6 4WD vehicles, it wouldn't hurt to do the same in 4Lo to exercise the ADD and Transfercase. We used to see quite a few 4WDs that were "fixed" by just tapping on the transfer case and then exercising the actuator a few times (easy diagnostic work )"
Yes, any time while you are stopped or moving in a straight line. There might be a max speed at which it will switch (like 55), but there's no max speed for driving with it on.
sport2004
Member
Thank you...
sport2004
Member
Well, been leaving it in H4, trying 4Lo on and off, hoping something will give. Have to say I find the mystery surrounding the effort to cajole the switch into 4Lo is just a riot.
Today, I turned off the radio and listened to the soft audible (not the warning beep heard from within the dash) go a for a few seconds, then can hear it quietly beep, I'm sure you guys know where it comes from, so I know it's trying to decide whether to cooperate.
Meanwhile, will remain patient, non-judgmental and loving (LOL)...
Today, I turned off the radio and listened to the soft audible (not the warning beep heard from within the dash) go a for a few seconds, then can hear it quietly beep, I'm sure you guys know where it comes from, so I know it's trying to decide whether to cooperate.
Meanwhile, will remain patient, non-judgmental and loving (LOL)...
sprocketus
New member
I forgot to mention that I drove mine around for a bit in H4 before the last attempt to put it in 4LO, then it worked just and has been working since. Maybe it needed a little warmup before deciding to engage, definitely worth trying if you haven't already.
sport2004
Member
Thanks, been driving it around a lot in H4, then when stopped in a parking lot somewhere, going through the process. Getting desperate, it's almost deer season.
Last time I was actuating both the CDL and Lo on my '03 V8 I had to shut the truck off and start it again for the shift to complete. Otherwise it would just beep and not shift back to the previous mode. Everything works, just not really how it is supposed to. I would think it would take less than 200' or so of straight line driving for it to switch back over. That's all the room I have to work with on my street and wanted to be close to home if something happened since that was right after I bought it 10 mos ago. Ever since just left in in 4Hi...
sprocketus,
If you haven't changed out your diff fluid (front, rear and center) I would do that.
When I did mine, it came out black as tar. I don't think it was ever changed in its life.
Very simple to do and there is a forum link with detailed pictures to guide you through the change. I used it to guide me and it worked like a charm.
I exercised mine yesterday and 4HI engaged in I'd guess 6 seconds, and 4LOW in 1 second. It is nearly instant now.
It used to take upwards of a minute to engage the 4HI before the fluid change.
The fluid is about 12 bucks a quart. Mobil1 75w 90. Plus you need the plug gaskets from the dealer but they are only a few dollars each.
Good luck!
metramm
If you haven't changed out your diff fluid (front, rear and center) I would do that.
When I did mine, it came out black as tar. I don't think it was ever changed in its life.
Very simple to do and there is a forum link with detailed pictures to guide you through the change. I used it to guide me and it worked like a charm.
I exercised mine yesterday and 4HI engaged in I'd guess 6 seconds, and 4LOW in 1 second. It is nearly instant now.
It used to take upwards of a minute to engage the 4HI before the fluid change.
The fluid is about 12 bucks a quart. Mobil1 75w 90. Plus you need the plug gaskets from the dealer but they are only a few dollars each.
Good luck!
metramm
Is is normal to have some noise going from 4HI to 4LOW or back to 4HI? It's hard to describe, not exactly a grinding noise. It just lasts a short time, then there is a bit of a clunk after the noise which is fine.
So does it do that for everyone? I tried it twice this morning, once before it was warmed up (1000 rpm idle), and once after it just barely warmed up (~500 RPM idle). I didn't notice much difference in noise, but there was maybe a bit less when it was warmer. I try to turn the knob quickly after I shift it into neutral.
So does it do that for everyone? I tried it twice this morning, once before it was warmed up (1000 rpm idle), and once after it just barely warmed up (~500 RPM idle). I didn't notice much difference in noise, but there was maybe a bit less when it was warmer. I try to turn the knob quickly after I shift it into neutral.
sport2004
Member
I guess this will be my next step. I have tried getting into 4Lo many times with no success. Other than waiting for Summer and hot weather, not sure what else is to be done.
sport2004,
Yep I would do the diff fluid change for sure. Only takes like an hour for all three.
Get yourself a fluid transfer pump like this one off amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Plews-55001-...FKPED6YGS3EQBG0K0&ie=UTF8&qid=1479232263&sr=1
worked a treat for me. Just had to pump it like a zillion times lol.
Let us know if this improves your switches after the fluid is changed.
metramm
Yep I would do the diff fluid change for sure. Only takes like an hour for all three.
Get yourself a fluid transfer pump like this one off amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Plews-55001-...FKPED6YGS3EQBG0K0&ie=UTF8&qid=1479232263&sr=1
worked a treat for me. Just had to pump it like a zillion times lol.
Let us know if this improves your switches after the fluid is changed.
metramm
sport2004
Member
Thanks. I will def post here whatever the result, keeping my fingers crossed it will be good news. Now, I have to call my brother to see if he will help with this...LOL
northstarmaine07
New member
Toyota junk/4runner junk !!!!!!!!!!!!
I test drove five used 4runners and they all had 4wd/actuator motor issues (I needed a new vehicle). I finally found a 2007 with 57k on it in beautiful shape. I took it for a test-drive to a gravel parking-lot and it went into 4wd low as it should have. I thought I had found a good one, so I bought if for $15k in Sept 2016. I took it home and took it to a dirt road near my house and again, put it into 4wd low and exercised the TC and...it worked. Fast-forward a couple of months to our first snow-storm and I went hunting out in the country. Twenty attempts to engage 4wd low and it did all of the things all the other ones I test-drove did -blinking lights, beeping, grinding noises coming from the TC - no combination of putting my middle finger from my left hand up my ass and holding my breath -- in and out of 4wd, back and then forward, 2wd high, 4wd high - - - - nothing. I was deep in the woods and all I had was 4wd high. I was so f'ing pissed; I kept trying and it finally locked into low, with lights still flashing and the beeping, but you could tell it was in low. Well...guess what ??? It then wouldn't come out of low. I had a two hour interstate drive to get back to my house and the switch was in 2wd high...with the lights still blinking and the beeping and I couldn't do anything to get it out of 4wd low. I did every f'ing thing you can do to try and get it out. The truck doesn't even have 60k on it. UNBELIEVABLE !!!! HOW CAN TOYOTA GET AWAY WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT ???!? DO NOT EVER BUY A USED TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2005- 2009 !! DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE 4WD SYSTEM. HAS ANYBODY HAD ANY LUCK WITH OUT OF WARRANTY, WARRANTY REPAIRS ? TOYOTA JUNK. 4RUNNER JUNK. KNOWN DEFECT. NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN. TOYOTA JUNK.
I test drove five used 4runners and they all had 4wd/actuator motor issues (I needed a new vehicle). I finally found a 2007 with 57k on it in beautiful shape. I took it for a test-drive to a gravel parking-lot and it went into 4wd low as it should have. I thought I had found a good one, so I bought if for $15k in Sept 2016. I took it home and took it to a dirt road near my house and again, put it into 4wd low and exercised the TC and...it worked. Fast-forward a couple of months to our first snow-storm and I went hunting out in the country. Twenty attempts to engage 4wd low and it did all of the things all the other ones I test-drove did -blinking lights, beeping, grinding noises coming from the TC - no combination of putting my middle finger from my left hand up my ass and holding my breath -- in and out of 4wd, back and then forward, 2wd high, 4wd high - - - - nothing. I was deep in the woods and all I had was 4wd high. I was so f'ing pissed; I kept trying and it finally locked into low, with lights still flashing and the beeping, but you could tell it was in low. Well...guess what ??? It then wouldn't come out of low. I had a two hour interstate drive to get back to my house and the switch was in 2wd high...with the lights still blinking and the beeping and I couldn't do anything to get it out of 4wd low. I did every f'ing thing you can do to try and get it out. The truck doesn't even have 60k on it. UNBELIEVABLE !!!! HOW CAN TOYOTA GET AWAY WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT ???!? DO NOT EVER BUY A USED TOYOTA 4RUNNER, 2005- 2009 !! DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE IF YOU PLAN TO USE THE 4WD SYSTEM. HAS ANYBODY HAD ANY LUCK WITH OUT OF WARRANTY, WARRANTY REPAIRS ? TOYOTA JUNK. 4RUNNER JUNK. KNOWN DEFECT. NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN. TOYOTA JUNK.
TrueBlue
New member
I think you need to step back and take a breather buddy. Coming on here trying to preach to a bunch of DIY 4x4 Enthusiasts about how junk the vehicle we know and love is, it's not gonna get you anywhere.
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4Reak Show
New member
Had a buddy with a 4th gen 4.0 V6 and his 4WD did the same thing. Did research and to pull the shifting motor requires TC disassembly according to what I read in FSM.
I was able to remove TC fill plug and sprayed some penetrating lube all around inside. Not a WHOLE whole bunch, but aiming for the shift forks. 30 minutes later it shifted in 4WD and has worked ever since. Lucky? Or stupid? Fine line I suppose.
I was able to remove TC fill plug and sprayed some penetrating lube all around inside. Not a WHOLE whole bunch, but aiming for the shift forks. 30 minutes later it shifted in 4WD and has worked ever since. Lucky? Or stupid? Fine line I suppose.
