ATRAC is not working

[Wesdan13]

SR5 model with 4WD. I got myself in a little predicament the other day in the snow/rocks and for some reason ATRAC was not coming on for me, rig was in neutral, 4LO, pressed the button and… nothing. From what I understand, all 4WD 4Runners have the ATRAC option? I’ve never had to use it so I’m not sure if I officially have it (the light on the button is lit up). Is there a possibility that I don’t have it? Bad switch/button? Is there possibly a fuse blown?
Not seeing a whole lot of solutions out there in older threads (most are previous gens) other than to “put yourself in a situation where you would need ATRAC and test it”.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I could be wrong but you may need to be in gear. You could definitely tell it's working because of the noise and there is a light in the dash.

 

[Humble Leader]

some questions that might help determine the problem. all 5th gen 4runners have ATRAC

- does the light in the dash light up when you press the switch
- do you have a CEL light on
- was 4lo actually engaged or just blinking light
- does your DAC work
- any wiring near the switch recently done that could have resulted in improperly connecting the switch back up
- any codes in the computer that haven't self cleared
- have you engaged ATRAC before your lift and confirmed it also worked after the lift. On an FJ forum someone noted that they had ATRAC problems after a lift

it's unlikely the switch is defective

 

[mbm112]

You need to be in neutral to engage 4LO, but you need to be in gear when you hit the ATRAC button.

ATRAC is something you can toggle on and off at will while driving in 4LO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Tried it and it lets you select ATRAC in neutral in low range.

 

[Jetboy]

Just to make sure your first question is answered - yes, all 4x4 4Runners have ATRAC standard.

It won't make any noise when there's not a tire slipping, but you'll know when it does as others have said. And the ATRAC light should illuminate.

This should cover the sequence of turning it on.
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[Dorobuta]

ATRAC actually wants you to be a little aggressive on the gas, but do not go above 4 or 5 mph. it works by sensing tire slippage. if tires aren't slipping, it has nothing to do...

 

[Wesdan13]

some questions that might help determine the problem. all 5th gen 4runners have ATRAC

- does the light in the dash light up when you press the switch
- do you have a CEL light on
- was 4lo actually engaged or just blinking light
- does your DAC work
- any wiring near the switch recently done that could have resulted in improperly connecting the switch back up
- any codes in the computer that haven't self cleared
- have you engaged ATRAC before your lift and confirmed it also worked after the lift. On an FJ forum someone noted that they had ATRAC problems after a lift

it's unlikely the switch is defective

I’m definitely going through the correct sequences to turn it on.
No CEL light, 4LO is engaged with a solid icon on the dash, I’ve never used DAC but the light does come on when pressed and it also has an audible click to it whereas the TC and ATRAC do not, no wiring near the switch, haven’t plugged a computer up to it, I never used it before the lift so I’m not sure it worked then or not. Having the airbag recall done at the dealership, I may just have them take a look at it and hope they don’t take my limbs in return.

 

[Wesdan13]

I failed to mention the light icon doesn’t even show up on the dash upon startup. In the “Christmas tree” so to speak.

 

[BobsTrail]

To test ATRAC find a wet road or a dirt road. Hit the gas and if it's working it will brake the spinning wheel(s) and make noise from the brake controller under the hood. You may also hear and feel the slipping wheel stop and start as ATRAC applies the brake to stop the spinning wheel.

You can do the same thing in 2WD with the built in traction control , one rear wheel will stop and start.

If it's not working, you will get good wheel spin with no braking.

Pick a safe place and have a little fun.

 

[Wesdan13]

To test ATRAC find a wet road or a dirt road. Hit the gas and if it's working it will brake the spinning wheel(s) and make noise from the brake controller under the hood. You may also hear and feel the slipping wheel stop and start as ATRAC applies the brake to stop the spinning wheel.

You can do the same thing in 2WD with the built in traction control , one rear wheel will stop and start.

If it's not working, you will get good wheel spin with no braking.

Pick a safe place and have a little fun.

Ok, but, don’t I have to physically turn it on to test it? Neutral, 4LO, push the ATRAC button, drive… etc

 

[Humble Leader]

Ok, but, don’t I have to physically turn it on to test it? Neutral, 4LO, push the ATRAC button, drive… etc

yes you need to turn it on and the light will remain on when ATRAC is activated. I don't believe the ATRAC lights up on the dash when you startup the vehicle, only when you engage it. I believe DAC light comes on during startup but I'm going from memory here and a quick due diligence on youtube

I think you need to have the dealership read the codes and see if anything is lingering in there that would not be cleared and preventing ATRAC from being turned on

 

[Wesdan13]

yes you need to turn it on and the light will remain on when ATRAC is activated. I don't believe the ATRAC lights up on the dash when you startup the vehicle, only when you engage it. I believe DAC light comes on during startup but I'm going from memory here and a quick due diligence on youtube

I think you need to have the dealership read the codes and see if anything is lingering in there that would not be cleared and preventing ATRAC from being turned on

Yea I think that’s where, I’m at it’s gonna be there anyway and if it’s broke it can’t be too terribly expensive to fix… unless of course…. It is. Haha.

Will update soon

 

[downshift]

To test ATRAC find a wet road or a dirt road. Hit the gas and if it's working it will brake the spinning wheel(s) and make noise from the brake controller under the hood. You may also hear and feel the slipping wheel stop and start as ATRAC applies the brake to stop the spinning wheel.

You can do the same thing in 2WD with the built in traction control , one rear wheel will stop and start.

If it's not working, you will get good wheel spin with no braking.

Pick a safe place and have a little fun.

A good way to do a test like this is to fine a safe place where you can have the left side on tarmac and the right on dirt (or vice versa).

Start in 2WD and turn off the default traction control (press the VSC button - you should see yellow Trac Off warning). You should be able to spin the tire that's in the dirt easily.

Next, turn the default traction control back on. This time you should hear and feel the clunking of the traction control. If you don't, if you just spin a wheel again, something is wrong.

Finally, continue testing in the various 4WD modes - Trac on/off, MTS, Atrac, 4HI, 4LO, etc.

 

[Humble Leader]

Yea I think that’s where, I’m at it’s gonna be there anyway and if it’s broke it can’t be too terribly expensive to fix… unless of course…. It is. Haha.

Will update soon

Please post when you have an update. Let's hope it's a stored code or even better, user error

 

[DAW89446]

When out hunting in a canyon near my home, I switch on ATRAC after engaging 4LO. I just leave it on until I shift back into 2WD. Along the trail there is one particular section that avoids a washout by climbing straight up the canyon side about 200 yards (climbing you often see only the hood and sky), then laterals off camber along it for about a quarter mile, then drops back down and rejoins the original route. That detour is littered with basketball size loose rocks, skid plate crunching bedrock and loose dirt. It is only here that I hear ATRAC kicking in.

I’ve attempted it without ATRAC engaged and it’s difficult to make the climb successful without having to gas it and hope for the best. ATRAC simply works. When I had my 2002 Tacoma TRD, I used the rear locker through here with similar results.

I am of the type that prefers to just idle along slowly off road and use the tools my rig provides, not crash and bash my way at high speed. Better for my nerves, T4R and the environment. And leaves my eyes free to find and shoot that waskley wabbit and have him for dinner instead of scaring him away.

 

[Wesdan13]

UPDATE:

So, it’s working.

Went to the dealship for the airbag recall and had them check to make sure the ATRAC wasn’t jacked up.

I had the mechanic go through the same sequence that I went through. Neutral, 4LO, let it engage, then ATRAC. It all came on. Not sure what the deal is/was. I was sorta thinking it was user error since I rarely need atrac and forgot the sequence but that wasn’t the case. I guess the rig just needed a little scare to get it to work or maybe when he ran diagnostics on it, it triggered something. Who knows…
That said, I’ve also never seen the 4LO light and the traction control(off) light come on while in 4LO either.

Anyway, good news!

 

[Humble Leader]

UPDATE:

So, it’s working.

Went to the dealship for the airbag recall and had them check to make sure the ATRAC wasn’t jacked up.

I had the mechanic go through the same sequence that I went through. Neutral, 4LO, let it engage, then ATRAC. It all came on. Not sure what the deal is/was. I was sorta thinking it was user error since I rarely need atrac and forgot the sequence but that wasn’t the case. I guess the rig just needed a little scare to get it to work or maybe when he ran diagnostics on it, it triggered something. Who knows…
That said, I’ve also never seen the 4LO light and the traction control(off) light come on while in 4LO either.

Anyway, good news!

possibly user error, the best kind of diagnosis - unless the tech cleared lingering codes. thank you for updating. perhaps you weren't letting 4LO engage before hitting ATRAC