Newbie question -- Beeping in 4Lo

[CrimsonTide]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a 2006 sport 4WD. I have never owned a 4D. I live in south Alabama and we have had massive amounts of rain over the last week or so. I got stuck today in the field behind my house. I was able to put it in 4wd and get out (barely) but when I put it in 4Lo, I get a beeping sound. I scanned the owner's manual but did not see anything about this. Can one of you experienced owners help a brother out and explain to me what this means?

Thanks a lot~!
CT

 

[bvc]

Be in neutral with foot firmly on the brake. When its not properly engaged it beeps. Do the same when disengaging.

 

[CrimsonTide]

Thanks bvc. I thought that I had done that properly. I'm going to go and try it again and see what happens. Thanks for responding.
CT

 

[CrimsonTide]

Houston, I may have a problem....

I went out and put the transmission in N. With foot firmly applying the brakes, I switched to 4Lo -- all seemed good. I then switched to Drive and imediately the beeping begins... ?? I did this several times with the same result.

Dang -- do I have to do to the dealer now? Any ideas?

Thansk,

CT

 

[KingPrat]

There should be a light on your dash that comes on indicating that it has shifted into 4Lo. If it is shifting and doesn't complete it, it'll blink. Is it blinking, or is it solid?

 

[toyota4]

you can try tapping on the actuator while attempting to switch to 4lo. That sometimes frees it up

 

[CrimsonTide]

Crap.. I can't remember. Let me go check. Be right back.

 

[CrimsonTide]

4Lo indicator is blinking... And beeping. This means that it is not engaging in 4 lo, right? does this mean that 4H is working or not?


Toyota4 - thanks for the repsonse. I have no idea where the actuator is. I can probably find it in a thread and maybe try that tomorrow.


Thanks guys. This sux..

 

[Jester4kicks]

The card in your visor has the instructions for getting into 4L.

IIRC, it sounds like you're not shifting into L or 2. With the car in 4W-HI, stopped and your foot on the brake, shift to N, then to L, then turn the 4wd selector to 4w-Low.

That, or check the card.

Edit: Might have the last part backward, might need to change to 4L while in N, then shift to L or 2.

 

[CrimsonTide]

Never heard of needing to shift into L or 2

Thanks for the info Jester, although I have never heard that you had to shift into L or 2, just N.

Needless to say, I just tried shifting into 4Lo in N, L, and 2. No dice. Still blinking and beeping.

Like I said earlier, I have never used the 4wd -- maybe its "stuck" like toyota4 mentioned, beating on the actuator..

Crap -- prolly have to take it to the stealership...

Thanks for all of your time everyone that replied.

CT

 

[Derek G]

Mine doesn't like to go into 4LO unless I'm in neutral and rolling forward a "shuffle pace", very slow. It gives the gears in the transfer case the opportunity to mesh.

 

[jimithing]

Thanks for the info Jester, although I have never heard that you had to shift into L or 2, just N.

Needless to say, I just tried shifting into 4Lo in N, L, and 2. No dice. Still blinking and beeping.

Like I said earlier, I have never used the 4wd -- maybe its "stuck" like toyota4 mentioned, beating on the actuator..

Crap -- prolly have to take it to the stealership...

Thanks for all of your time everyone that replied.

CT

You're trying to go from 4Hi to 4Lo, right? I don't think you go to from 2wd all the way to 4Lo without pausing to get into 4Hi first. I would try the tapping the actuator trick before taking it to the stealership. They're probably going to suggest replacing the actuator, which will cost a couple thousand dollars.

If you can get by without it for now (which you probably can since you never used it) I would just keep trying to cycle it every once and a while. It will probably eventually kick in. If you ever get it to 4Lo just drive it around for a mile or two before trying to go back to 4Hi.

 

[LOSTR4]

I had the the same issue...like tapping an old starter...tap the actuator and it'll pop. Once working, engage it every month or so...it likes to be used otherwise it gets sticky when you really need it.

 

[toyota4]

Is it the v6 or v8? If its the v6 than make sure to do what him jimithing said if its the v8(4 hi all time) than try what I told u... And yes there is a thread with pic's of actuator regarding ur issue- I'm on my phone now I can try to find u the link to it when I'm next to a computer or take a pic of my own and send u if ur not don with it yet....)

 

[TFJ-4runner]

The manual says to have the car at a dead stop in Neutral to switch from 4 Hi to 4 Lo. You can do this with the engine off and the key in the on position. Listen for it trying to engage this way to see if its seizing up.

 

[CrimsonTide]

Thank-you guys..

I will try the items that you guys suggested this evening - hopefully the tapping on the actuator will do the trick. I'll report back and let you know what I find out.

Thank-you guys for taking the time to respond~!

CT

 

[CrimsonTide]

A little more info...

I got home too late to remove the skid plate and try "hammering" the actuator. I did however, turn the ignition key on without starting the engine. I put the selector knob in 4H and I could hear it engaging. I then put the trans in N and selected 4Lo. No noise of engaging, but in addition to the beeping inside the cab, there is also a beeping noise coming from under the vehicle. Does this mean anything to anyone? Should I still try the hammer trick?

Thanks guys --
CT