Four hi stuck on?

[Winstondvm]

Today I used my 4hi for a brief time this afternoon (off road, no pavement, shift at about 5mph both ways). When I shifted out of 4hi back to 2hi, my green 4wd light stayed on, flashing. I tried backing up, tried shifting into 4lo then back to 4hi, then back to 2hi, (using neutral and appropriate shifting techniques), and attempted to resolve it using the techniques outlined in the manual. (page 223, and I have used my 4wd system frequently), but the green light stays on, flashing. Again, I have driven straight forward, straight back, and have accelerated and decelerated in reverse while shifted into 2hi.
The manual says "...the indicator flashes rapidly...then have it inspected by your toyota dealer immediately." But What is rapidly? it isn't flashing intently...

I am about 30 miles away from a dealer, drove 5 miles to home, and the front end smells like it's cooking. I drove under 40mph, avoided sharp turns, but it was night and I was off road when it happened. I didn't have much choice....

Any suggestions?

Eric

 

[harper7]

The TE's and SR5's have the VF2A transfer case.

If you smell something cooking I would call the dealership and have them tow it. It's only supposed to be flashing if it is in the middle of locking in or there's a problem with it. Once it locks in it should stay steady lit.

In the repair manual under problems/symptoms table ....it gives these 5 suspected causes and how to troubleshoot for each. I suspect ADD actuator or 4x4 ECU.
VF2A Problem....Shift from 4WD (H4) to 2WD (H2) is impossible

Transfer indicator switch (for 4WD position)

A.D.D. actuator

Harness or connector

ECM

Four wheel drive control ECU

 

[Winstondvm]

Thanks for the reply Harper7. The smell of overheating mechanical gear is disheartening.
When I got home, I put it back off the pavement, the 4runner actually was in 2hi (verified with wheel spin and turning), and the light continued flashing. It would engage into 4hi (again verified with wheelspin on a steep hill), and it would engage into 4lo. Out of curiosity, I started playing with A-Trac, and the locking diff. A-trac fine, but the locking diff would not engage no matter what I tried (again reading the manual and I have had it on a half dozen times), but the crawl control would engage as normal.

Also, the multi-terrain select would not engage-- it kept telling me to shift into neutral, then accelerate or decelerate, and it would never engage, just kept telling me the same thing. (I don't ever use it in the real world but I am familiar with how it engages in either 4hi or lo)

I will get Champion toyota on the phone in the morning and try to get a tow truck out asap.