on the fly 4x4 engagement... NOT

[pipspeak]

Every time I go to engage 4wd in my 2004 SE I get the blinking light and have to stop, put the car in neutral and back into drive for it to engage properly. Once or twice I could deal with. But this happens every time, which means I have to pull over and stop. Not exactly what I expected from an "on-the-fly" 4wd system.

Has any one else experienced this repeated failure to engage properly? Is there something I should have the dealer look at?

 

[Neil]

I don't have to do that to get it to engage. However, I do have to let off the gas while it is in gear for 1-3 seconds or it will not engage in a timely fashion. I have learned that if I think I will need 4wd then I will engage it before I actually need it. So far, doing it this way has caused no issues for me.

 

[mtnracer]

Trade it in for a V8 - Full Time 4WD

 

[DarksideSurf]

Where does it say in the manual or in the ads that the 4Runner was "on the fly" ?

 

[pipspeak]

On page 164 of my manual it says that vehicle speed only need be below 62mph to shift from H2 to H4. That's "on the fly" IMO. However, I always need to be at 0mph to change mine apparently.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

Every time I go to engage 4wd in my 2004 SE I get the blinking light and have to stop, put the car in neutral and back into drive for it to engage properly. Once or twice I could deal with. But this happens every time, which means I have to pull over and stop. Not exactly what I expected from an "on-the-fly" 4wd system.

Has any one else experienced this repeated failure to engage properly? Is there something I should have the dealer look at?

Take it to the dealer if it's still under warranty.

 

[pipspeak]

It is still under warranty but I was hoping someone might have a suggestion as to what specifically I should have them look at. In my experience, taking a car to the dealer and saying something like "the 4wd does not engage properly at speed" is a recipe for a response like "sorry guv, the 4wd system appears to work and we couldn't find anything wrong with it".

However, I have already added it to my list of issues for the next service. I guess I'll just try my luck.

 

[toto]

I would imagine the truck has auto-locking hubs on the front wheels, and if so it sounds like they aren't locking properly.

 

[Falls]

Trade it in for a V8 - Full Time 4WD

LOL , I really did'nt want to have a full time 4x4 but after having one I love the secure feeling.

 

[Northof49]

Provided it's working correctly, the system kinda waits for the opportune moment to engage the 4wd. Some 4R's are slightly pickier than others as to when this is, but generally speaking they don't like to switch when:

- Wheels are turned
- Under acceleration
- Engine braking
- Wheel slip, etc

So if any of that, or any combination of that is going on....it may be reluctant to switch. If everything is good and you're driving straight not hard on/of the gas and it doesn't switch after awhile, I'd say something's up and I'd have the dealer look at it.

 

[nated05]

If it really bothers you that much why not leave it in 4wd the entire time. Its not like it will hurt anything. Mine takes a bit to switch, so i usually vary my speed and that does the trick.

 

[TechWrench]

Just to be certain, you are talking about 4-High, and not 4-low, right? I shift mine into 4-High while driving quite often, and as others have stated already, I works just fine as long as I'm not turning, accelerating, or braking. The manual does state you should not try it if above 60 MPH, I have done it with no problem at 50. If you are standing still when shifting, it can fail to complete the shift until you start to move sometimes. Usually, I just back off on the gas for a couple of seconds, and it shifts just fine.

 

[boston_kevin]

I would take it to the dealer... You should be able to shift on the fly into 4WD under 60 MPH without backing up or going into neutral. I leave mine in 4WD from November 1 to April 30, then back to 2WD in the spring and fall. No damage and no worries about getting stuck.

 

[Baba Booey]

Like others have said, I really need to be sure that I am driving down a straight piece of road before my 4WD will engage "on the fly." When traveling at speed, I often get the blinking light for a pretty good distance, so I need to wait until I see a fairly long stretch of straight road until I make the switch.

However, by doing the above, the 4WD always engages, but it does take longer than I would like it to. I seem to notice that the more often I use it, the less time it takes to engage. I'm not sure if this is real or perceived, but you may want to check it out.

 

[Spaceman]

ADD (automatic disconnecting differential)

Can someone please explain to me what ADD is and what it does.
Manual not clear at all.

Thanks

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Worst case is put the tranny in neutral while still rollin'. That will usually work when nothing else will. Once it engages, drop it back into drive. Just make sure you're on a relatively flat stretch when you do this, and don't touch the gas or brake pedals while in neutral.

 

[AlphaQup]

North said it as plain as can be. You can switch while you're not in motion, but like you said, you'd have to reverse or pull forward to engage/disengage. Now remember, doing this you're using the throttle (not good). I found it much easier to switch while the rig is in motion, foot off throttle, below 60mph, and wheels straight.

 

[NCSCOTT]

I have had almost the identical issue as the very first post short of the backing up with my 08. I switched from 2HI to 4HI and it took well over 3-4 minutes for it to finally be happy and switch. I was on a relatively straight road, dry conditions, well below 60 & coasting, 35-50mph, came all the way to a stop, then all the way up to 35mph and coast, flipped it to neutral and coasted some more, back into drive, then I just egnored it and looked down about 30 secs latter and it was a solid green light. It flashed for a good 3-4 minutes. With just over 2000 miles on the OD. It seemed very excessive to me. I feel it should be less than 10 sec from the switch turn. It fact I would be happier with a lever. No question with a lever.

It never did chime at me like the manual said it would do if there was an error. Actually I think it said a buzzer.

I considered taking it in but have not made the time yet. I also wanted to experiment with it a little more.