Difficulty with engaging 4wd??

[CJ3Flyr]

I hava an 06 4 Runner, and the darned light stays on and the 4WD does not engage. I have tried just about everything to get it to engage. What does it cost to get the vacuum actuator replaced? My 4 Runner is off warranty!
It is my wifes vehicle and it goes all summer without getting the 4WD engaged! So it sounds like the actuator has failed. Is the actuator on an 06 an electric motor, or a vacuum device!

How many miles? The powertrain warranty lasts 60k. The actuator is electric. A few folks have had similar issues to yours.


Having said that I am confused, you say the light is on but the 4wd isn't working. Is the light on steady? How do you know it's not working?

 

[jmorabito25]

I hava an 06 4 Runner, and the darned light stays on and the 4WD does not engage. I have tried just about everything to get it to engage. What does it cost to get the vacuum actuator replaced? My 4 Runner is off warranty!
It is my wifes vehicle and it goes all summer without getting the 4WD engaged! So it sounds like the actuator has failed. Is the actuator on an 06 an electric motor, or a vacuum device!

I have the same issue. Did u ever figure out what was wrong?

 

[PeteOB]

In the User Manual it says to use the 4WD once a month consistently to keep it lubricated.

 

[sr5owner?]

I'm seeing mostly 4th gens with this issue. Do the 3rd gens have this problem? Curious because I'm looking for a 3rd gen.

 

[Mobius]

Help

Guys,

My wife has a 2007 sr5 v6. I've tried a few times to engage 4hi, the green 4x4 indicator light flashes as well as an orange differential lock indicator. Both flash, and it doesn't feel like 4x4 is engaged. I've tried to do this from a rolling start, at a stop, from drive, from neutral, tried driving a few feet, tried reversing a few feet...nothing. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

 

[Knollie81]

4WD Now Only Engages/Disengages If I Go In Reverse

Yesterday the 4WD on my 2006 V6 4.0L started acting up and would not engage to 4H despite driving slow on a straight stretch of road for several miles. I then tried to turn it back to 2H while driving but the 4WD indicator light just kept blinking and wouldnt shut off.

...At this point I am fuming because just 2 years ago I had to have the actuator motor replaced for a small fee of $3000...the transmission shop told me the part that they replaced looked like it had been marked as if it had been replaced once before I bought it which would make it the 3rd actuator motor in the vehicle that has died.....GRRRRRRRR!!!!

After a 30 minute drive home, I tried shifting in reverse and only then did the 4WD indicator light stop blinking and finally shut off. It appears that my 4WD will now only engage and disengage if I stop and drive in reverse for a few feet. Just a few weeks ago I was able to shift it from 2H to 4H "on the fly" with no problems....any ideas why it wouldnt be able to do that now? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as the warranty from the previous repair has just barely expired.

 

[Knollie81]

The actuator motor that operates the transfer case may have gone bad and might need to be replaced...I speak from experience since the same thing happened to me a few years ago and cost me $3000 to fix. Most of the cost is in the labor since the whole thing will need to be disassembled and then reassembled.

I hope this isnt the case with you but figured it might be the cause. Recommend exploring every other possible causes as this can be one of the most expensive things to fix.

 

[earthrealm]

ENGAGing 4wd on the fly never works for me..the lights blink n blink..i simply put it in neutral ,the 4wd lights blinks..then i put it in drive and the blinking stops...and the 4wd sytem is engaged..all this takes les than 6secs

 

[Mobius]

Took the wife's '07 to the dealer yesterday. It was the accuator. Waiting on the part to come in. Luckily I bought the extended warranty or I'd be out $1900 plus rental fees.

 

[TRevsRunner]

I have one for you guys... I own an 02' sport edition and I experience some of the same issues. I can only engage my 4x4 when my truck is in neutral. The center diff locking mechanism will also only engage when in beau trial but does take a little longer. However I don't think that the system is operating correctly when the I take the VSC off. When I press that button the vehicle acts as if the front and the rear are not working together. Feels as if the front diff is binding up and causes the vehicle to slow down. Any suggestions?

 

[RJF00]

2010 4Runner 4wd Issues

I am new to this forum and have a 4wd question / issue. We had a snowstorm last week and I put the vehicle into 4wd, drove and shifted fine. Shifted out when 4wd was no longer needed and parked the truck.
The next morning the following lights were flashing, and still are, 4wd icon and Lo icon. ABS and brake lights are on steady.
Other than that it drives and responds fine. Will not shift into 4wd.

What do I need to due to fix this? Oh, and it is well over for an oil change! Not sure if that matters.

Thank you folks!
Russell

 

[JClay]

In the User Manual it says to use the 4WD once a month consistently to keep it lubricated.

You seriously expect these brats to actually read the owner's manual? Easy fix: You engage 4wd for the first time in a year and a taser come out of the dash and gives a full force jolt for 30 seconds.

 

[Justin Case]

Problem solved for me, maybe.

I followed NorCal 4Runner's instructions and swapped the the two vacuum hoses. Now the 4 x 4 light stays on and the 4 x 4 works when it is selected and doesn't when it is diselected. Before there was just a click or two and the light flickered; no 4 x 4. Should I asume the machic accidental mixed them up? He left several vacuum hoses off and minor nuts and bolts here and there (no I won't be using him again).

 

[Daluvian]

A good tip is to always actuate the 4wd system a couple times a month this helps them not get stuck

 

[Daluvian]

I followed NorCal 4Runner's instructions and swapped the the two vacuum hoses. Now the 4 x 4 light stays on and the 4 x 4 works when it is selected and doesn't when it is diselected. Before there was just a click or two and the light flickered; no 4 x 4. Should I asume the machic accidental mixed them up? He left several vacuum hoses off and minor nuts and bolts here and there (no I won't be using him again).

Check the vacuum valve. Remove the valve apply 12 volts if you can hear a click it’s working also blow threw it with 12 volts applies if you can pass air threw then they are good if not replace. It’s possible that they are mixed up

 

[earthrealm]

Check the vacuum valve. Remove the valve apply 12 volts if you can hear a click it’s working also blow threw it with 12 volts applies if you can pass air threw then they are good if not replace. It’s possible that they are mixed up

COULD YOU POST A Picture of the vacuum valve, i hv a pal with this problem

 

[toy3rdgen]

In service shop at Toyota Dealer for this fix

I have a 2001 4Runner 3rd gen. 173,000 miles. All services and maintenance up-to-date. It operates great. After about a week, I started it up on a flat surface, pushed the "4WD" button on the shifter, and then drove slowly forward. As a result, I have the same issue as noted above in this thread above; the "blinking CDL and 4WD" icon light, and then all the others. I looked underneath and found the black rubber hose disconnected from the front center differential actuator housing. Then, I looked closer, and I found a slightly frayed wire on one of the actuator sensor's. I looked over everything and fixed what was needed.

So here is the BEST part of this story! I tried to fix the blinking light issue and I never could find the cause. I had to take into a local Toyota (stealership) Dealer. (Yes, they will try to screw us over every time. It's true.) They're like politicians.

The Toyota Dealer's service department here in Williamsburg, Va. has officially kidnapped my 2001 Toyota for a month now. For a month! All for a blinking light problem. :wtf: (I contacted Toyota corporate but I doubt I will get action on a 2001 Toyota. I was even thinking about buying a new Toyota soon. Not now.)

I am a very patient and reasonable person having worked in Emergency Medicine ER's for years which helps to strengthen a person's character to deal calmly with such situations. I am getting close to :toilet3:

Mind you, I can, and did work on my Toyota extensively before taking it into the dealer. When I showed them pictures and videos of what I had all done they didn't care, or listen to me.

They told me initially: 1) We're not sure what it is after having the truck for several weeks. 2) We found "metal shavings" in your transfer case (me: that's weird, as I never had any issues with my gearing or drive-ability) and we'll have to replace it. {I got screwed here! } 3) After the getting a rebuilt transfer case they told me, " still not finding the problem". The mechanic thinks it is the " Skid control module". We're gonna have to find one.

People, friends, this is a legitimate, officially franchised "Toyota" branded "Dealership". WTF. (I will be sending all my photos and recordings to the corporate office when this is over. Yeah, I know. They will file it in the "TRASH" bin file) I will be making an awesome You-Tube video about this debacle!

So, here it is almost one month later to the day. I know we are all in a Covid lock-down but this service by the Toyota dealer here in Williamsburg, Virginia, is so insanely BAD!!! HINT!: They should have named their dealership "Massey's".

 

[RD9146]

2007 4runner v6 4 wheel lights (green&yellow) flash when switched to 4h

Newby here I just got a 2007 v6 4runner a few days ago. When I switch to 4h the lights just flash and it does not appear to engauge. I tried 4l, stopped shift to netural then to 4l and it flashed a beeped. If I lock the center diff when in 4H both lights (green&yellow) stop flashing and the VCS light comes on. It however does not feel like it is in 4 wheel drive. I did not have a owners manual yet its on order. Help Thanks Rick.