Stuck in 4hi

[Floki251]

Hey everyone, I just recently became the owner of 2007 4wd Sport Edition V6. While trying to get 4lo to engage today (tried moving the control switch back and forth between 4hi and 4lo) at some point it seems the truck has gotten stuck in 4hi.


Now no matter what position the control switch is in the dashboard shows I am in 4hi and the 4lo light blinks. It is indeed in 4wd as I have jacked the truck up off the ground and all 4 tires are spinning.


As a note, when I was first trying to put it in to 4lo I could hear a faint long beep followed by shorter beeps coming from under the truck. I could also hear the movement when switching from 2hi to 4hi. Now I do not hear anything when I move the control switch.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edit:

** Well, Ended up having the work done under warranty and it was the 4wd actuator. Nearly $2,500 repair (Of which I only paid $60). Wish it was better news.

 

[Floki251]

Update-

Left the battery unplugged over night. Tried again to take it out of 4H with no change.
However there is a humming like sound that I don't recognize. It sounds like its coming from the transmission oil pan. It seems to have replaced the beeping coming from the actuators.

Prior to all this happening yesterday the 4Hi and Diff lock worked fine. Not sure if that helps.

Edit - Just scheduled an appointment with a local dealership to take a look at it tomorrow. Will post any results.

 

[aaronfro17]

If you feel like pulling back some pieces of the dash, you could check to see if the wiring harness is firmly connected to the switch. I think the system defaults to 4Hi when the switch is unplugged.

 

[Floki251]

That may be an option, although I believe the switch is working correctly because I can hear the 4WD ECU respond to moving the selector from 4hi to 4lo. Pretty stumped here, I can only assume this is a problem related to the actuators.

 

[aaronfro17]

Others have tapped the Transfer case actuator with a hammer while it is attempting to engage/disengage with some success. I'm thinking you're probably right...its an actuator problem.

 

[Floki251]

Just got back from a toyota dealership and the service advisor says it is the center diff lock motor. He also suggested the tap with a hammer cure. Unfortunately have already tried that and am worried the motors are crap.
He pointed out a silver box towards the front, not the one on the t case though. I thought the diff lock motor was located on the t case?

 

[scw1991]

The actuator located on the transfer case houses two motors. One motor moves a shift rod to engage 4HI to 4LO. The other motor moves a shift rod to lock the center differential.

No clue as to what the silver box towards the front they are referring to.

 

[Robs08Runner]

If it was mine I would keep driving it in 4hi for a week or two. I would keep trying to go from 4hi to 2wd and locking the case frequently before I tried to get it repaired.

 

[ZiaMan]

While it is concerning, being stuck in 4Hi is the end of the world. Remember, the V8s are ALWAYS in 4Hi unless moved to 4Lo (no 2wd mode). As long as the center diff lock is off, you are only taking a hit on the mpg.

 

[Floki251]

SCW - Could he have been pointing to the A.D.D actuator or something of the like? It was dead center between the front tires maybe a bit towards the firewall.

Rob - I've driven it lightly in this condition so far. No changes. I have a warranty that's good for only another 400 or so miles, so I'm going to try to get it done on their dime for obvious reasons .

Zia - oh no I agree lol I can still drive it which is great, but like said above, I'm going to try and get it fixed under warranty.

I just wanted to reach out and ask incase it was something dumb I over looked perhaps. Will keep updating through the process.

Thanks everyone!