Help me understand my 4wd system?

[jrm27]

Okay.. I know this is going to sound really really noobish, but I'd rather ask then screw up my truck! With the winter coming, I want to make sure I've figured out my 4wd system before I really need it in the snow. It's an 02 sr5 sport.

So, last night I was out driving and figured I'd try to throw it in 4wd to see how it responds on the road. I reached down to the 4wd shifter and hit the button. The lights on my dash started blinking (the 4 tires and the center diff). Is that right? Are they supposed to blink? Or should they stay lit consistently? It felt like I was in 4 and the front started to pull kind of funny. I think that is probobalby because I have crap tires on the front (nearly bald).

Also, I'm having trouble shifting out of 4wd. When I hit the button again nothing happens. I'm finding if I park, then drive in reverse or give the sterring wheel a good jerk, I can hear the 4wd disengage and the lights stop blinking. Is there something wrong? Should I be able to shift out of 4wd while moving, or is parking the only way?

Sorry for the noobishness. My last truck was all time 4wd, and I never really needed to do anything else! So I want to make sure I've got this down before I get stuck somewhere.

 

[Pikeman]

Ok you should be able to push the button and that gives you AWD setting, which is what you want for driving around with possible loose conditions. Then you should have a button "Center Diff Lock". Push 4wd and center diff lock, this locks front and rear driveshafts and sends equal power to each. This setting is for off-road and not for use on the street. You should be able to switch while moving, but if you havnt used in a while then it might take a few times to get things lubed and moving again. There are some speed limitations though. You might also want to check fluid levels in the transfer case and diffs.

The lights on the dash should be as follows: Blinking while engaging, solid once fully engaged. Also in AWD mode four tires light, 4wd with diff locked is 4 tires and then center light. On your drivers side sun visor there is usually 4wd instruction card.

 

[jrm27]

Thanks Pikeman. How long should it take for the awd mode to fully engage? I drove about 3 miles with all the lights blinking last night? I'll know awd is succesfully engaged when just the tires stay lit up in a solid manner, with no center diff light on... cool.

Thanks for the reminder about speed restrictions. From what I've read it sounds like I should keep it under 65mph (which is fine... loose conditions where awd is needed shouldnt see me going 75!).

 

[cfranck1]

Here is one of the best 01-up 4wd write up explanations on the system.

It's a good 4 pages long read, but full of info.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/12-01-up-4wd-system-trac-vsc-torsen-t-3-a.html

 

[LINY4Runner]

Thanks Pikeman. How long should it take for the awd mode to fully engage? I drove about 3 miles with all the lights blinking last night? I'll know awd is succesfully engaged when just the tires stay lit up in a solid manner, with no center diff light on... cool.

Thanks for the reminder about speed restrictions. From what I've read it sounds like I should keep it under 65mph (which is fine... loose conditions where awd is needed shouldnt see me going 75!).

It could be immediate or it could take 10 minutes...it all depends on when the motor sees the "opportunity" to lock the t-case/front diff. It'll wait until it can lock into place without grinding.

I find you can usually get it to lock or unlock quickly by pushing the transmission shifter into neutral...you'll feel the click, the lights will go solid and you'll be in AWD...then just drop it back into Drive (foot off the gas, of course).

 

[Gerdo]

Typically the more you use electronic actuated transfer cases and diffs, the easier and quicker they engage.

Keep them moving.

 

[twitchee2]

Ive found the trick for getting it in and out almost instantly is to be moving, push the button and let the car coast, so there is minimal load on the drive train. that works most of the time for me, engaging or disengaging. As stated before, flashing 4 wheels + center means it trying to engage or disengage. once engaged the wheels will be solid. To engage the center diff lock, the lights will flash till it engages and will go back to solid.

Hopefully that help.