Delay in 4 wheel drive engagement

[Runner Up]

I tend to engage my 4-wheel drive quite often, especially during the winter months, but lately I find it takes a long time to engage and disengage. The 4x4 lights will blink for about 45 seconds before it will engage, and almost the same amount of time to disengage.

This is quite annoying, and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to decrease this delay?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

when you turn to engage 4x4, put the trans in neutral, reverse, and then drive and it should engage faster, mine usually will engage immediately when i do that

 

[Runner Up]

Ok, I'll give that a try. I normally shift on the fly, but I'll try stopping and trying your suggestion.

BTW, I see you took the running boards off yours. Looks a lot better with them off. Been thinking about doing that with mine, but I like the fact they help protect the paint. Maybe when I get a few more scratches I'll bite the bullet and take 'em off.

 

[having fun]

Change the fluid in the transfer case also.

 

[Runner Up]

Change the fluid in the transfer case also.

I wonder if there is a thread on here on how to change the fluid...

 

[having fun]

I wonder if there is a thread on here on how to change the fluid...

Yep, just do a search, will pop right up. Easy and basic.

 

[Runner Up]

Thanks. I found this link which I think will be very helpful, but unfortunately I can't see any of the pics...not sure why.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ntial-transfer-case-fluids-pics-included.html

Can anyone send me a pic of the drain and fill plugs on the transfer case?

 

[CookieRoe]

i agree on the putting it in neutral method. My "on the fly" engagement is also slow. Yes, sometimes 40-50sec. I wouldn't worry much about it. Changing the transfer case oil I don't believe will help in engaging it, the actuator has it's own lubrication (unless you are a mechanical GOD, don't take it apart and try to lube it............ been discussed a million times.)

 

[having fun]

Correct on the actuator has it's own section that is greased. The transfer section is like the use it or loose it thread, and tends to help if you change the gear oil for some reason. Tends to spline them gears easier.
Seems to help speed up/ easier for the actuator to slide in. Been helping mine kick in faster,but it has it's times when it decides to go slower.

Coming to a stop and neutral is the fastest of all.

 

[kevinpt]

i have no problems shifting on the fly if i coast when i let it lock in. if you are on the gas its not going to lock in as quick if at all

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I wonder if there is a thread on here on how to change the fluid...

heres one
https://www.4runners.com/threads/how-to-differentials-and-transfer-case-fluid-service.1464/

 

[2003-4x4runner]

I noticed the lag when shifting on the fly as well. I found when I do shift to 4 High, I would just ease off the gas pedal and that would help shift into 4 high a lot quicker. Also noticed it would work if I speed up.

 

[metramm]

I changed out the transfer case and diff fluid in my 06 4runner and I noticed that it shifted into and out of 4wd much faster. used Mobil 1 75w-90 LS as many users on this forum suggested.
Also if it doesn't engage right away, I sometimes need to put it into drive and roll forward just a tiny bit and it will kick in. Hope this helps!