Changing from 2WD to 4HI question

[4Runner168]

This has happened to me like three times in the past 18 months so I am not sure if it's normal or not so I wanted to ask around and see if anyone else has experience this before.

The other day I was driving in 4HI in order to lube the system since I have not used it in a over 45 days, I made a full stop to drop off some groceries (engine still running), once I was done I then switched it back to 2WD and proceeded to driveoff and make a turn while the transmission light was still blinking (I am referring to that icon with the x in between the four wheels in the dash that blinks when switching between 2WD and 4HI/4LO). When I made the turn the vehicle felt that it was "stuck", the vehicle barely moved and it felt like something was holding it back. I tried slightly pressing on the gas pedal but it still barely moved so I eased off, I then decided to turn the front wheels to a straight/forward position and the issue corrected itself after a clunk noise.

Is there something wrong with my transmission that I should be concerned about? Has anyone else had a similar issue with this?

 

[offshorebear]

I don't have a V6, but from what I've read that should be normal. Part of the process to shift from 4 to 2 or 2 to 4 is to temporarily lock the center differential. This means that while it is shifting the front and rear axles have to spin at the same speed. This is fine in straight driving, but in a turn one axle wants to spin faster than the other. When they are locked together it won't want to turn just as you described. Everything sounds like its fine, but I wouldn't make a habit of doing sharp turns while the center differential is locked like that.

I hope that gives you some peace of mind for now and hop fully an expert will be around to confirm that everything is fine.

 

[BC4Runner]

You should drive in a straight line until the lights stop flashing both when engaging and disengaging 4HI.

I've also found I can engage and disengage 4HI when stopped with the wheels straight by going from Drive to Neutral and back again.

 

[4Runner168]

Thanks for your replies, feel better now that I know it's the way it's supposed to be.