Help Help Help Help - Transmission??

[Cape 4RUNNER]

I bought a 2003 4Runner LTD V8 4WD last July with 70K miles. The car was from a Toyota dealership and was certified used (or whatever it is they call it). I have the limited power-train warranty still in effect so I am hoping (praying) that I am covered).

So heres what happened..

I have never had a problem with the truck and have driven it very reasonably (you would too at 17MPG!) since purchase. Currently the car has 89k miles. I just came back from college which is a 2 hour drive and was without incident. When I went to go to the store tonight I got it the car started it, put it and drive, and made it roughly 6 feet before I heard/felt a slight bump and my VSC Off light immediately turned on and my center diff lock light came on solid. I tried to drive 25 feet or so and the car wouldnt move when sitting in drive (usually goes about 3mph when just sitting in drive) and felt like I was very constricted in power when trying to slowly drive forward. When I tried to make a sharp turn to park the car again the car stuttered a lot while trying to go forward and turn. When I put the car in reverse it seemed to be unaffected from what I could tell but drive was still very impacted. The engine sounds fine running as well.

I honestly am at a loss and have no idea whats going on here. Id take a guess that its a drive train/tranny issue. Please help guys, I would greatly appreciate any input.

Thanks for all future responses!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The center-diff locked for some reason. Are you sure you didn't push the button?:bash:

Are all the fuses good?
:cheers:

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Fuses are all fine and the button was not pushed in. When I do push it in now it goes from steady to flashing.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Something is going on in t-case... Don't know what though.

I hope it's a bad switch or something that's easy and cheap.
:cheers:

 

[eskimochaos]

Fuses are all fine and the button was not pushed in. When I do push it in now it goes from steady to flashing.

Not the 4low knob, the CDL button located to the lower left of the steering wheel.

 

[eskimochaos]

Something is going on in t-case... Don't know what though.

I hope it's a bad switch or something that's easy and cheap.
:cheers:

I agree, I dont like all these electronic controls. I wish Lexus had the electronic 4lo and the 4R have the manual shifter.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Not the 4low knob, the CDL button located to the lower left of the steering wheel.

Yeah thats the one I was talking about. The light stays on steady now when the button is not pressed, once I press it the light starts flashing (the one with the car diagram and the X in the center of it).

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Something is going on in t-case... Don't know what though.

I hope it's a bad switch or something that's easy and cheap.
:cheers:

Is the transfer case a drive-train component? This would make it covered under the warranty I think..

 

[eskimochaos]

Is the transfer case a drive-train component? This would make it covered under the warranty I think..

Yes it is a drive train component. You can only use the CDL button while rolling in a straight line under 20mph. Hitting it while standing still isnt going to do anything.

If you are going to press it on pavement, make sure your going in a straight line.

 

[JB.]

You can only use the CDL button...under 20mph. Hitting it while standing still isnt going to do anything.

Hmmm, where ya gettin' this?

There's no established speed limit to locking the center diff and it can be engaged while stopped or in motion. Sometimes being in motion helps.

 

[eskimochaos]

I'm almost 100% sure that you have to be under 20. Furthermore, how can you lock 2 drive shafts together if they are not rotating? You can't just have you car sitting and hit the lock button hoping it will engage. The only time that kind of works is if youe stuck and press the cdl switch. You light press the gas and the front and rear should lok.

I could be wrong; however, I'm not going to try it lol.

 

[JB.]

I'm almost 100% sure that you have to be under 20.

Not unless something has changed since 2005.


You can't just have you car sitting and hit the lock button hoping it will engage. I could be wrong; however, I'm not going to try it lol.

Your choice but I've done it a hundred or more times.

 

[JB.]

Cape 4RUNNER, what you've described matches the behavior when the center diff is locked if the 25 feet forward you described was with the wheels turned some. When you turned more sharply to park it got worse as the binding increased. In reverse, with the wheels still turned, the binding would tend to unwind so it would feel better. Perhaps when the button is pushed now and flashes, it's actually attempting to unlock but can't because it's bound up. If the truck is parked in a place where you can do so, I'd try putting it in reverse and then get the wheels straight. Push the button to make it flash and then drive straight very gently using as little throttle as possible, either in reverse or forward (try both), while very slightly moving the steering a little from side to side. Just a few inches of steering wheel. If the center diff is locked and is trying to unlock, you'll eventually hear the somewhat loud clunk of the pressure releasing when it unlocks.

I sure hope it's that simple. Good luck.

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Re: Re: Help Help Help Help - Transmission??

Cape 4RUNNER, what you've described matches the behavior when the center diff is locked if the 25 feet forward you described was with the wheels turned some. When you turned more sharply to park it got worse as the binding increased. In reverse, with the wheels still turned, the binding would tend to unwind so it would feel better. Perhaps when the button is pushed now and flashes, it's actually attempting to unlock but can't because it's bound up. If the truck is parked in a place where you can do so, I'd try putting it in reverse and then get the wheels straight. Push the button to make it flash and then drive straight very gently using as little throttle as possible, either in reverse or forward (try both), while very slightly moving the steering a little from side to side. Just a few inches of steering wheel. If the center diff is locked and is trying to unlock, you'll eventually hear the somewhat loud clunk of the pressure releasing when it unlocks.

I sure hope it's that simple. Good luck.

I am pretty sure that this fits the bill. I have an appointment at the dealer today to have it looked at and I am praying, being the college student I am, that this is covered under my warranty. I will be royally screwed if it is not.

Thanks for all the input and informative posts guys, I will post back later tonight the official diagnosis :bash:

 

[EH007]

Not unless something has changed since 2005.



Your choice but I've done it a hundred or more times.

Nothing has changed. You can lock the center diff. at a standstill all day long without damaging anything.

 

[JB.]

Re: Re: Re: Help Help Help Help - Transmission??

I have an appointment at the dealer today...I will post back later tonight the official diagnosis

Knock, knock

Looking for that follow-up. Your post count suggests you're not a drive-by poster.

Hope that's true.