ok Thai....whats goin on here

[4x4Runner09]

Ok heres the lowdown.... My 4Runner has 45k miles.

Mile 2:Since day one something was wrong the 4x4 system. The dashboard lights kept flashing and doing weird things. The dealer claimed they fixed it.

Mile 20,000: First time I took it offroading. When in 4wd (if it even was) the lights flashed on the dash flased the time.

Mile 35,000: So I pull the 4x4 shifter straight down into 4wdH none of the lights on the dash come one. How the hell am i sopposed to know if its in 4wd. The button works fine i soppose. The 4 green lights come on, and I hear it click into part time. I aslo hear disengage too.
Also around this time there is squealing noise comming from somewhere. It happens when i take my foot of the gas from 25-65mph. The dealer has looked at this 3 times and has not found a problem.

Mile 45,000today: Earlier today I went to run an errand and on the way back i decided to check out this short 300 yard dirt road.
I was stoped with the tranny in Drive. I pulled the 4wd shifter into 4wdH(no lights come on) So i decide to put it into low. I put the tranny into N and then shift to the right and all the way. When it feels like its all the way up and loud screeching sound scares me. Sounded like it came from the under the shifter. So i shift it back into 2wd cuz i dont wana force anything and hurt the system.

So I give up. Its almost like im driving a chevy. I'm taking to the dealer where I bought and Im going to explain everything.
Ill tell them dont give me car back untill it runs like a Toyota, not a chevy.

Sorry for my blabing....

 

[Thai]

4x4,

Well, i am not sure about how your transfer case lever is set up on 2000 model.

Shouldn't the transfer case lever be on 4-HI all the time (even when in 2wd)?? It is this way on my 2002. When you press the "4wd" button, then the 4Runner goes into 4-HI (no need to shift into 4-HI). At least on mine, the TC lever is never on Neutral.

If your 4wd lights don't even blink, then it is a problem. Once you're in 4wd, the lights should REMAIN on, and not blink. If it is blinking, then you're NOT in 4wd yet. If it is blinking, then you need to either apply a little more gas OR apply the brakes a little bit. If that does not work, you can shift the automatic transmission shifter into Neutral and then back to Drive.

Other than that i don't know what is going on...i need to find a 2000 model to look at the transfer case. I will ask my brother also...he used to have a 1999 4runner.

 

[4x4Runner09]

Yah my transer case is different from your 02 4Runner.

My is in 2wd all the time.
When I press the side button it goes into part time 4wd. No diffs locked. When I pull the lever straight down it goes into 4H.
For 4L I go to the right then up.

You should still look at 99-00Runner and see what it looks like though. Your design is much easier. One question about your system. Do you still have to put the tranny in N when shifting into 4L?


Any ways....I took my runner to dealer.
They said the squealing noise was the center drive shaft. He sounded pretty sure...but who knows.

I also mentioned the 4wd problem.

Well when I hear from them...I will inform you....

Thai...why are you Toyota expert?
Where did you learn everything...family, friends????

Thanks a ton
Matt

 

[Thai]

4x4,

Well, i just like SUVs in general...i read up on them as much as possible...i have brochures for most of the SUVs on the road. I do a lot of reading on them...via magazines, brochures, & internet.

Ever since my first car (Honda CR-V), i have always wanted a 4Runner. My brother had a '99 4Runner Ltd. 4wd with rear locker. He later upgraded to the 2001 Lexus LX470. For me, the 4Runner was the perfect size for off-roading, and is designed for off-roading (high rocker panel, high ground clearance, big stock tires, cool 4wd system, and great approach/breakover/departure angles).

Hopefully, your 4Runner will be back on the road soon! I am sure everything will turn out well...it is a proven SUV.

 

[EDGE]

When you drop it into 4Low try doing it with the truck turned off and in neutral like you would normally do and then turn it back on, same for when you shift out of 4Low turn it off and in neutral.

That grinding noise will not be their if you do like above

 

[4x4Runner09]

Hmmm....
I've never heard of turning it off to put it into 4L.
I am not not against you or questioning...I am neutrol about this.

Have you heard the noise while putting it into 4L. Where did you hear about turing the truck off. When you put it into 4L....right before you turn the egnition off, the truck is already into 4H, right?
Thai? Whats your opinion on this.

I already took my truck to dealer so hopefully they'll tell me whats going on.

Matt

 

[Thai]

4x4,

I am not sure about turning your car off to go into 4-LO. I just don't think that is the way to do it. My brother never had to do that on his 1999 4runner 4wd.

To go into 4-LO FOR ME, i just have to STOP, put the auto tranny into NEUTRAL, shift the transfer case to 4-LO, and then shift the auto tranny to DRIVE again. To shift back into 4-HI, just do the opposite.

Remember, your truck should be STOP and the auto tranny should be in NEUTRAL when shifting into AND out of 4-LO.

My 4-LO shifts very smoothly. Actually, Toyota transfer cases are well-known for it's smoothness and bullet-proof reliability. There should be NO grinding noises whatsoever, unless you're doing something wrong.

Hopefully, your dealer can find something out. If not, try a local reputable mechanic shop.

Good luck!

 

[Sears&Roebuck]

when is it appropriate to use 4-low?

 

[BrianSD_42]

when is it appropriate to use 4-low?

Thai in the 3rd Gen section ... how can it be? Oh wow [MENTION=164469]Sears&Roebuck[/MENTION] -- after 14 years you managed to bring this thread back to life!

I'm not sure how search brought you here but I suggest you check out this thread to answer your question. Here's a hint though ... DON'T shift 4HI <---> 4LO while the vehicle is moving. It should be in N, stopped and at this age possible with the engine off. If you hear grinding that means STOP, seriously STOP pushing, turn off the truck, with the auto in N only then move it to 4LO/4HI.

--> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...faq-tutorials-documentation-reference-v2.html

And then ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html


The answer is of course when on pavement. [just kidding, don't do this]

:bat:

 

[JayRolla]

Thai in the 3rd Gen section ... how can it be? Oh wow [MENTION=164469]Sears&Roebuck[/MENTION] -- after 14 years you managed to bring this thread back to life!

I'm not sure how search brought you here but I suggest you check out this thread to answer your question. Here's a hint though ... DON'T shift 4HI <---> 4LO while the vehicle is moving. It should be in N, stopped and at this age possible with the engine off. If you hear grinding that means STOP, seriously STOP pushing, turn off the truck, with the auto in N only then move it to 4LO/4HI.

--> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...faq-tutorials-documentation-reference-v2.html

And then ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html


The answer is of course when on pavement. [just kidding, don't do this]

:bat:

I love my Toyota. 1st older 4x4 I owned that flawlessly shifts in and out of low with zero grinding. My dad's old Jeep and my bronco not so much.

 

[sportscarfan]

I love my Toyota. 1st older 4x4 I owned that flawlessly shifts in and out of low with zero grinding. My dad's old Jeep and my bronco not so much.

Haha, yes. I bought a plow truck in Feb. A 1995 Chevy K2500 with an automatic trans. Getting it into low every time basically requires coming to a complete stop, shutting it off and then shift. The manual states you can shift to low while slowly rolling in Neutral, but that results in major grindage the few times I've tried.