How to test out 4wd on 2002 for buying

[ranchdog]

Help,

I have done a ton of searching and reading on this site thinking I knew what all to check for and today I went to test drive an 2002 SR5 4wd Auto transmission 4Runner.

Well it is in pretty good shape and I asked the guy if the 4WD worked and he said yes. Well neither us knew ( I thought I did as I have an F250 4WD) much about how to check it out.

How do I do a basic test. I am taking it to my mechanic tomorrow to check it out. When we put it in 4Low and hit the button on the left side of the dash the Orange light flashed and the green lights on the 4 wheels flashed on the instrument panel. I could not tell when we eased it forward and reversed it that it felt like the front wheels were under power. But it was on dry cement. We only moved it back and forth maybe 15 foot. I was also not sure how the button on the side of the 4WD stick functioned for 4High

I would appreciate someone telling me how the buttons and lights should work for 2wd, 4Low and 4High. :sorry: I am so new to a 4Runner

Thanks, Ranchdog

 

[PWD4R]

Help,



I have done a ton of searching and reading on this site thinking I knew what all to check for and today I went to test drive an 2002 SR5 4wd Auto transmission 4Runner.



Well it is in pretty good shape and I asked the guy if the 4WD worked and he said yes. Well neither us knew ( I thought I did as I have an F250 4WD) much about how to check it out.



How do I do a basic test. I am taking it to my mechanic tomorrow to check it out. When we put it in 4Low and hit the button on the left side of the dash the Orange light flashed and the green lights on the 4 wheels flashed on the instrument panel. I could not tell when we eased it forward and reversed it that it felt like the front wheels were under power. But it was on dry cement. We only moved it back and forth maybe 15 foot. I was also not sure how the button on the side of the 4WD stick functioned for 4High



I would appreciate someone telling me how the buttons and lights should work for 2wd, 4Low and 4High. :sorry: I am so new to a 4Runner



Thanks, Ranchdog

The button will light up the tires only and 4WD lever will illuminate those tires and the center diff orange light in the same diagram.

You can always hear it engage the tires if you put the lever in 4WD. If it's blinking that means it's not engaged - sometimes that's due to stress on the drivetrain. Hope that helps some.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PWD4R]

I will take pics.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Niteghost]

When you put the car in 4wd high, when you drive it in a full lock circle you should feel the wheels binding (trying to turn and sort of lurching). When you put it in 4wd low you will know because the vehicle will not accelerate fast and you will feel all the torque. Hope this helps!

 

[PWD4R]

2WD

Just the button

4WD

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ranchdog]

I did found this on YouTube so this is what it looks like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9zX3JLMl8Y


Ranchdog

 

[theesotericone]

When you put the car in 4wd high, when you drive it in a full lock circle you should feel the wheels binding (trying to turn and sort of lurching). When you put it in 4wd low you will know because the vehicle will not accelerate fast and you will feel all the torque. Hope this helps!

Do not do that. Full lock on pavement while in 4hi or low is a sure fire way to break a CV or worse.

The easiest way to check 4hi is to pull over in some dirt. Mash the gas and the rear wheels will spin. Put it in 4hi and back up a few feet. Mash the gas again. If the rears don't peel out 4hi is working.

I've only ever tested 4lo by going somewhere that needs it. Find a trail and do it that way. Usually if 4hi is working lo will also be working.

 

[TravisM]

Do not do that. Full lock on pavement while in 4hi or low is a sure fire way to break a CV or worse.

The easiest way to check 4hi is to pull over in some dirt. Mash the gas and the rear wheels will spin. Put it in 4hi and back up a few feet. Mash the gas again. If the rears don't peel out 4hi is working.

I've only ever tested 4lo by going somewhere that needs it. Find a trail and do it that way. Usually if 4hi is working lo will also be working.

I second that. Read that guys post and cringed

 

[PWD4R]

Do not do that. Full lock on pavement while in 4hi or low is a sure fire way to break a CV or worse.



The easiest way to check 4hi is to pull over in some dirt. Mash the gas and the rear wheels will spin. Put it in 4hi and back up a few feet. Mash the gas again. If the rears don't peel out 4hi is working.



I've only ever tested 4lo by going somewhere that needs it. Find a trail and do it that way. Usually if 4hi is working lo will also be working.

Ok no lol. Don't do that either. Go to gravel and just turn in a circle then. Don't mash down on anything. You will feel the front wheels spinning on a dirt road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[theesotericone]

Ok no lol. Don't do that either. Go to gravel and just turn in a circle then. Don't mash down on anything. You will feel the front wheels spinning on a dirt road.

Not unless you've got a bigger motor in it. lol I "mash" on dirt all the time and have never had my front wheels spin out. Just a really quick off the line feeling. It's the easiest way to tell if 4hi is working.

 

[PWD4R]

Not unless you've got a bigger motor in it. lol I "mash" on dirt all the time and have never had my front wheels spin out. Just a really quick off the line feeling. It's the easiest way to tell if 4hi is working.

I meant you'll feel them spinning if you just turn. It's just easier on your vehicle than flooring it is all. Plus these motors don't have enough umph to spin all 4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ranchdog]

Can my auto mechanic put it on a rack and lift it off the ground a few inches and test 4H and 4Low ?

I am going to have the seller drop it off for a general test of all systems.

Thanks

 

[PWD4R]

Can my auto mechanic put it on a rack and lift it off the ground a few inches and test 4H and 4Low ?



I am going to have the seller drop it off for a general test of all systems.



Thanks

Yeah that'll work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Niteghost]

Do not do that. Full lock on pavement while in 4hi or low is a sure fire way to break a CV or worse.

The easiest way to check 4hi is to pull over in some dirt. Mash the gas and the rear wheels will spin. Put it in 4hi and back up a few feet. Mash the gas again. If the rears don't peel out 4hi is working.

I've only ever tested 4lo by going somewhere that needs it. Find a trail and do it that way. Usually if 4hi is working lo will also be working.

If you do this at idle speeds with just your foot of the brake it will not do any harm to the vehicle whatsoever. Yes it is not the optimal way to test 4wd but it will work in a pinch.

 

[ranchdog]

ok so what function is the switch on the left side of the dash, I know its center differential lock, but is required to be used in any 4wd high or low or is it an optional use thing. In other words do you have to push it to get the vehicle into 4wd high or low ?

Thank, Ranchdog

 

[Hepar]

ok so what function is the switch on the left side of the dash, I know its center differential lock, but is required to be used in any 4wd high or low or is it an optional use thing. In other words do you have to push it to get the vehicle into 4wd high or low ?

Thank, Ranchdog

It is an optional use thing. You can drive it on pavement when that is disengaged. For a more traditional 4wd, hit the button and lock it up. Make sure that works too.

 

[Sean K.]

Do not do that. Full lock on pavement while in 4hi or low is a sure fire way to break a CV or worse.

The easiest way to check 4hi is to pull over in some dirt. Mash the gas and the rear wheels will spin. Put it in 4hi and back up a few feet. Mash the gas again. If the rears don't peel out 4hi is working.

I've only ever tested 4lo by going somewhere that needs it. Find a trail and do it that way. Usually if 4hi is working lo will also be working.

I wouldn't say it's "sure fire". Anyone who's been to Moab can attest you will be driving around in 4WD low range and having to do full lock turns. Slickrock is about the same as pavement. Provided one isn't mashing the pedal to the floor or being stupid, you should be able to tell it's binding with only very mild throttle input.....just sayin'.

 

[Sean K.]

Can my auto mechanic put it on a rack and lift it off the ground a few inches and test 4H and 4Low ?

I am going to have the seller drop it off for a general test of all systems.

Thanks

Best solution.

 

[Majindan]

Just pressing the 4WD button engages AWD mode essentially, that is meant to drive in "slick conditions". And yeah, you'll need to engage actual 4WD HI and LOW periodically just to keep everything lubed, even that means on the pavement for a few minutes. Don't be a retard when in real 4WD and you'll be fine.