I'm a dumbass...

[CrimsonTide]

Hey guys,

I posted my problem a while back and still have not resolved the issue.
Details:
2006 Sport 4x4
100k miles
6 cylinder.
I bought this truck about 4 months ago, and didn't even test the 4x4. I bought this from a "car guy" who was pretty meticulous about maintenance and keeping it clean. His wife drove the 4runner.
I got stuck in the field behind my house about two months ago and this was the first time that I tried the 4wd. It goes into 4hi fine, but when I try 4lo - all I get is a steady beeping.... I finally broke down and took it to the dealer today. He tells me that the technician isolated the problem to the transfer case actuator. He said that it is getting the correct voltage coming in, but none is coming out. His quote was $1100 for the actuator and $1400 for labor!! Yikes~!! I've heard of tapping the actuator, but if no current is coming out - will that work? Any ideas? He said that if it was him, he would look for a used transfer case and have someone swap it. Does that sound legit? If so, where do I look?
Sorry for all of the questions, I am a newbie and this is my first 4wd. I did search the posts and mostly what I read was to try and tap the actuator...
I REALLY appreciate any information that you have!
Thanks!

 

[Black4thgen05]

Was your foot on the brake and the gear shifter in neutral while trying to shift into 4Lo? Just trying to rule out the obvious...

 

[mikebontoft]

I imagine the pcm probably grounds the circuit to the actuator, in which case there should be voltage at both sides of the connector. If the tech says he has voltage to the actuator but not from it, then that means there is an open circuit (a break) within the actuator and it will need to be replaced.... assuming the problem isn't within the connector itself.

edit: trying to tap it is likely more for a mechanical failure of the actuator, but it may allow a temporary electrical connection to be made if the conditions are just right.

 

[Smobien]

03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Toyota 4 Runner Transfer Case | eBay


They are out there.

 

[CrimsonTide]

Black4th - yes sir, my foot was on the brake and I was in neutral - I tried about every combination known to man to get it into 4lo.
Mikebon - thanks for the info.
Smobien - I didn't even look on fleabay. Thanks!

This stinks, but I guess that my best bet is to just buy a used transfer case and have it replaced. Prolly looking at $1400 for parts/labor but I guess that is better than $2500!

Thanks for the replies..

CT

 

[rtuck1]

Black4th - yes sir, my foot was on the brake and I was in neutral - I tried about every combination known to man to get it into 4lo.
Mikebon - thanks for the info.
Smobien - I didn't even look on fleabay. Thanks!

This stinks, but I guess that my best bet is to just buy a used transfer case and have it replaced. Prolly looking at $1400 for parts/labor but I guess that is better than $2500!

Thanks for the replies..

CT

If i already knew that i was going to have to replace the actuator you better bet i would be out there beating the hell out of it in hopes by the grace of the big man upstairs it worked lol...Seriously, go beat on it.

 

[WXman]

Yeah keep working it in/out of 4-LOW and get under and smack it with a hammer a bunch. Worth a shot.

I was looking at buying one that had a stuck shift motor. I found that I could buy entire transfer cases in good condition for half what it would cost to replace the shift motor. Hit up the local salvage yards.

Thankfully the one I ended up buying has a fully functional t-case. Do the V6 models have the button that locks/unlocks the center differential also? Make sure that one works too while your'e at it.

 

[ghostridr]

The 4lo beep happened to me last week as I was in the mulch pit giving my 4x4 system a work out.

At a stand still, wheels straight, in neutral, in 4lo.
Switched back to 2w, let the lights turn off.
Switched back into 4h, let the lights lock.
Switch to 4l, let the lights lock and beeping stop.

Might want to try in park if the above doesn't work, hope it's just a simple fix for ya.

 

[Benjamn88]

Ive had customer's come in with this problem before and after cleaning out the transfer case and lubing the actuator (Atleast thats what my tech told me he did) the 4x4 worked fine. When people don't use the 4x4 it gets stuck and won't move around. I'd imagine the tech would love to replace your transfer case rather then try and clean it up.