How to properly engage 4WD

[4RUNNERTMAN]

I checked mine when I purchase the truck when I got the oil changed. On the lift I engaged the 4wd and could see the tires all spinning so if your ready for a oil change or rotation, anything where they need to put the truck on a lift you can check it that way and also hear the diff engaging when you push the button or have someone else do it.

 

[4Running29]

So I took it to some dirt to test if the front tires were getting power and it does not look like they are getting power at all!

everything seems to happen like it should....I press the button...hear the click coming from the transfer case...i get 4 solid green lights on the dash...but its not engaging into 4 wheel drive. it feels like maybe its partially engaged hence the 4 solid lights and the clicking noise but not enough to engage power.

A Toyota mechanic told me about how the actuator can get stuck if not used enough and recommended I lubricate the actuator and slightly tap it with a hammer to loosen the parts and try to get it back into working order.

does anyone know where I can find some pictures or diagrams of taking the actuator apart to get into it to see if I could possibly find the source of the problem?

 

[alumarine]

So I took it to some dirt to test if the front tires were getting power and it does not look like they are getting power at all!

everything seems to happen like it should....I press the button...hear the click coming from the transfer case...i get 4 solid green lights on the dash...but its not engaging into 4 wheel drive. it feels like maybe its partially engaged hence the 4 solid lights and the clicking noise but not enough to engage power.

A Toyota mechanic told me about how the actuator can get stuck if not used enough and recommended I lubricate the actuator and slightly tap it with a hammer to loosen the parts and try to get it back into working order.

does anyone know where I can find some pictures or diagrams of taking the actuator apart to get into it to see if I could possibly find the source of the problem?

I don't think you're in true 4WD. Sounds more like AWD.

You say you have 4 lights, one at each wheel. You need 5 lights.
When the center diff is locked you should get a 5 light in the middle of the 4 lights. This is true 4WD.

On the left side of the dash there should be a button with 4 wheels on it.
Push it and the VSC OFF light should come on.

 

[4Running29]

Excuse me for my ignorance, I am a new 4Runner owner, but I always thought that the vehicle didn't have AWD only 4WD.

From what I've read, people have stated that engaging the 4x4 button on the side of the shifter engages 4WD and applies power to all four tires and shows the four green lights on the dash.

Locking the rear diff and getting that 5th light on the dash (the orange one) was only to be used when you lose traction while in 4WD. For example when you're stuck in mud and need to spin the tires even without traction in hopes of gaining traction in order to get out.

 

[4Running29]

I just find it out that I'm getting the four lights which most people have stated is the standard 4WD but it doesn't seems to actually be engaged.

All the problems I've read with the system are either the lights and blinking and never engaging or people can't seem to disengage the system.

My problem seems to be an outlier in the sense that EVERYTHING seems to be in order except for the fact I'm not getting power to the front tires

 

[PWD4R]

I just find it out that I'm getting the four lights which most people have stated is the standard 4WD but it doesn't seems to actually be engaged.



All the problems I've read with the system are either the lights and blinking and never engaging or people can't seem to disengage the system.



My problem seems to be an outlier in the sense that EVERYTHING seems to be in order except for the fact I'm not getting power to the front tires

The button is more of like an AWD but the center diff/xfer case isn't engaged. Don't off road in that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WallyWest]

Excuse me for my ignorance, I am a new 4Runner owner, but I always thought that the vehicle didn't have AWD only 4WD.

It has both, more or less.

When you press that button it connects the front driveshaft. The transfer case is still in limited slip mode, so what you have now is generally called AWD. You can do this on pavement no problem, you can drive around like that all the time if you want to. If you're getting the four green lights on the dash it's engaged. I haven't heard of a situation where those lights will be on solid and the system isn't actually functioning. Not sure if that's possible, generally the lights will blink and not go solid if there's any problem. The only way they go solid is if all the sensors report everything is engaged and working, and I don't *think* that's even possible if there's a malfunction.

You won't feel much of a difference, I had the same thoughts when I first bought mine. But testing it on a hill in snow where I couldn't get up it in 2WD but there was no problem in AWD cleared it up for me.

For true 4WD you have to lock the transfer case, with the button on the lower dash, to the left side of the steering wheel. It's has a little diagram of four wheels with a X in the middle of them. When this engages there's an amber light in the middle of the four green lights that comes on. With my '02 it has trouble locking while in gear, so I come to a stop and put it in neutral and it locks right up. Then you're in 4WD, which you shouldn't do on pavement.

Best way to test for sure that it's working properly is get it on a lift and cycle through the various modes. No resistance will make engaging the system easy and you can clearly see all four wheels spin or not.

 

[csp]

Excuse me for my ignorance, I am a new 4Runner owner, but I always thought that the vehicle didn't have AWD only 4WD.

It depends on the year and transfer case installed.

Some years are 4WD only. Those won't have a button to push for 4WD, only a shifter to engage the transfer case.

 

[4Running29]

Wallywest and csp, I appreciate your responses. I am going to try and get the vehicle up on a lift and try all the different modes just to make sure everything is in order.

Also, once we get some snow later in the year I'll revisit the issue and try locking the rear diff on the snow to activate the true 4x4 just to make sure everything is working.

Thanks for the help!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Wallywest and csp, I appreciate your responses. I am going to try and get the vehicle up on a lift and try all the different modes just to make sure everything is in order.

Also, once we get some snow later in the year I'll revisit the issue and try locking the rear diff on the snow to activate the true 4x4 just to make sure everything is working.

Thanks for the help!

You have an 02 so unless you've added a rear differential locker, you do not have one.

To activate the "true 4x4" you'll have to lock the CENTER differential.

(I imagine you just "misspoke" but wanted to be clear...)

 

[4Running29]

Yes, I meant centre diff. Sorry about that