Hi all, I recently had the blinking 4WD lights problem, fixed it, and figured out how to time the actuator in the process.
In this post, I want to share how I did it since I know a lot of people ask, including myself at the time. Unfortunately, I only know how to do it for my specific actuator, which is the one with the spring pins located on the cap; maybe there is a similar way for the ones with the spring pins on the big gear.
To make it easy, I made three pictures with red markings: the first is showing where the keywords are located to help follow the instructions, and the others to show the orientation of the big gear when timed.
1. Remove the small plate held by three bolts on top of the actuator.
2. Remove the small gear; it is easier when using a magnet while fiddling with it.
3. Remove the big cover to access the big gear.
You now have to choose whether you want to time it in 2WD or 4WD. I find it easier in 2WD, but I will show both timings.
4. Pull out the selector shaft by gently prying on it using a flathead screwdriver through the small gear hole. This will put it in 2WD; make the shaft go in to put it in 4WD. Make sure it's out/in all the way!!
5. Turn the big gear so that the 2WD or 4WD mark (depending on what you did at step 4) aligns with the timing bump as shown below.
6. Put the small gear back on while making sure the big gear does not turn. The small gear will fit; just try to find the orientation by turning it slowly while trying to make it fit; only a few positions work.
7. When the small gear is in, make sure the big gear is still aligned, then put it all back together.
8. Make sure the gear selector and button in the cab reflect the setting, e.g., 2WD if timed to be in 2WD and vice versa for 4WD. Then insert the key and test it.
There you go; it should be timed and ready to go. Hope this will help others stuck in the same place as I was!
Here is the thread about the problem I had, if needed:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/314917-4wd-problem-blinking-lights-aka-limbo-mode.html
In this post, I want to share how I did it since I know a lot of people ask, including myself at the time. Unfortunately, I only know how to do it for my specific actuator, which is the one with the spring pins located on the cap; maybe there is a similar way for the ones with the spring pins on the big gear.
To make it easy, I made three pictures with red markings: the first is showing where the keywords are located to help follow the instructions, and the others to show the orientation of the big gear when timed.
1. Remove the small plate held by three bolts on top of the actuator.
2. Remove the small gear; it is easier when using a magnet while fiddling with it.
3. Remove the big cover to access the big gear.
You now have to choose whether you want to time it in 2WD or 4WD. I find it easier in 2WD, but I will show both timings.
4. Pull out the selector shaft by gently prying on it using a flathead screwdriver through the small gear hole. This will put it in 2WD; make the shaft go in to put it in 4WD. Make sure it's out/in all the way!!
5. Turn the big gear so that the 2WD or 4WD mark (depending on what you did at step 4) aligns with the timing bump as shown below.
6. Put the small gear back on while making sure the big gear does not turn. The small gear will fit; just try to find the orientation by turning it slowly while trying to make it fit; only a few positions work.
7. When the small gear is in, make sure the big gear is still aligned, then put it all back together.
8. Make sure the gear selector and button in the cab reflect the setting, e.g., 2WD if timed to be in 2WD and vice versa for 4WD. Then insert the key and test it.
There you go; it should be timed and ready to go. Hope this will help others stuck in the same place as I was!
Here is the thread about the problem I had, if needed:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/314917-4wd-problem-blinking-lights-aka-limbo-mode.html
