4x4 ?s

[SRSRunner]

Hey fellas, I'm not sure if its my own short comings or what but I'm having some issues with my 4x4.. 2000 limited-3.4

push the button on the stick- all 4 tire lights light up, and the center light stays orange.(nothing flashes or beeps) I'm not used to an auto 4 wheel system, something clicks underneath the truck, but I can not get the front wheels to spin, nor does the truck feel like its engaged while turning.
What am I doing wrong? Any help or pointers on this would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Crzyrzr]

not sure on the 2000's but the click you here is the transfer case kicking into 4wd. Have you tried backing up a little, or are you doing it on the fly? I know on most 4wds I have had sometimes you have to give it a little free movement to engage. Note: this is only in some cases.

 

[Dagobah]

The truck doesn't feel like 4wd is engaged while turning, because you have put it into AWD. That is to say, the center diff is not locked. To put the truck in 4-hi, you still have to actually move the t-case shifter to the 4-hi position.

 

[SRSRunner]

Crzyrzr:
From what I've read on here aswell as some other sites- you have to have the truck moving to engage the 4h. The transfer case def. sounds like its clicking in though. I've tried alot of different thing- reverse- going from nuetral to drive etc. Yet I have still been unable to get the front tires to break loose.

Dagobah:
The shifter was in the 4-hi position- thats why I dont understand what is going on.. Like I said, sounds like its clicked in- all the dash lights indicate that its in, just no tire spin, nor difficulty turning.

 

[sonjason]

2000 Limited models have "multi mode" 4WD. When you use the push button on the side of the lever, it acts similar to an AWD mode. When you actually pull the lever down, the true "locked" 4x4 is engaged in 4H. I can't remember right off what the lights are in these modes, but that is my best explanation of the 4WD system on our trucks (I have a 2000 Limited too). This link from another T4R site has a more thorough technical explanation than I gave above Toyota 4Runner History 2000.

 

[jay1981]

I have a 2000 limited. If you push the button, only the 4 green lights should come on (all the lights may flash first) then the orange light should stay on only after moving the shifter back to H4L. according to the owners manual you have to press the button first, then if you need more traction, pull the lever back. You can drive on any surface with just the button pressed, but do not drive on dry pavement with the lever pulled back. Definately shift while moving but try letting off the gas while making the shift, mine seems to work better when I do that. hope this helps

 

[SRSRunner]

Thanks everyone for the answers- I figured out how to use it lmao, even went as far as to put it up on jack stands.. got another issue now tho, system worked on the stands, however on the ground- lights flashed, then went solid, it clicked in- drove about 30 feet maybe- and the case started screaming at me- atleast I assume it was the transfer case. Any of you know how to go about diagnosing that problem- or any ideas on cost of replacement?

 

[scuheckler88]

When I pull my lever on my 99 limited the Orange light doesn't come on, I don't think the center diff is engaging either. No lights come on in L4L either but i can tell its engaged for sure. If I press the 4wd button in those two positions the green lights will go off. Also in H4L, if the button and lights are off, I'm left in 2wd.