Roommate went to move my truck and apparently shifted the 4wd lever instead. Now I can go into 4hi and 4lo, but when I shift into neutral, my dash lights for the 4wd system just blink and wont shift back to 2. At this point I am about to replace the actuator, but wanted to get ideas and opinions. I am driving a 2002 limited 4runner
Stuck in 4wd
- Thread starter ccurrans
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
frodiesel
New member
Youve tried tapping the gas a lil in forward or reverse?
Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
SpidermanGeek
New member
This might sound like a dumb question, but did you depress the 4WD button?
for 2WD you have to have the lever in 4HI with the 4WD button depressed (off).
I ask this because your post makes it sound like you are just moving the lever between 4LO, N, & 4HI and expecting it to be in 2WD with the transfer case in the Neutral position.
for 2WD you have to have the lever in 4HI with the 4WD button depressed (off).
I ask this because your post makes it sound like you are just moving the lever between 4LO, N, & 4HI and expecting it to be in 2WD with the transfer case in the Neutral position.
I tried with and without engaging the 4wd button in hopes it would unstick but with no luck. I haven't checked the fuse, not that it would be the problem since it will engage, but I will try the battery terminal disconnect. My thing is, I would like to NOT have this happen again and things to work as they should. It sounds like the actuator to me, but if you guys think differently, feel free to chime in. All help is welcomed and I have found this is a somewhat common issue for the '00-02 models since they are electronic and not vacuum, so it may help someone else with the same problem.
St Runner
Member
Try removing the plug from the forward actuator and spraying the contacts with cleaner. With the windows open you should be able to hear both the 4wd actuator on the transfer case and the 4wd button on the dash work. If you cannot hear the 4wd dash button engaging and disengaging the actuator it might need to be replaced. A somewhat common problem for the 01-02
SJC4Runner
Member
I had a similar problem on my 4runner. On mine it ended up being a switch/sensor on the front diff that tells the ecu if 4x4 front diff was engaged or not. It's simple to test. Remove the switch, hook up an ohm meter to it, push the switch in, see if it changes. If it doesn't change you know what the problem is and replace it. After I replaced mine it worked awesome and much faster than it had.
jgue467
Senior Member
I think it's common 4wd isn't used much, that is the cause of this issue.
Have you changed the diffs and tc fluids?
A stuck actuator needs a little help like the note under the driver's visor says to sort of jar it into action.
This is what worked for me: Drive under 10mph, hit the 4wd button then turn (try a road that isn't really smooth), this goofy process worked for mine. I did this over and over for several months until finally it works smoothly. Sometimes it still blinks, just keep moving forward, give it some gas, let off the gas and poof you'll hear the moderately loud 'click' of the actuator. Luck. :cowboy:
I JUST moved to Michigan for a job last week and then this happens. All of my mechanic friends are back home in Kentucky. I can still do my own work for the most part, hut never hurts to have an extra set of eyes. As far as the "hitting a bump" method, I creeped a concrete mound to hopefully jar it, but was in 4hi at the time. I currently have the negative terminal off the battery and see how that works for me. I'll reconnect it and if it doesn't work, I'll give your method a try. Though I did have it in 4hi/lo at around 10 mph and shifted to neutral (no bump to help) and my 4wd dash light just blinks at me. I just remain in neutral though and can't accelerate when I go back to drive.
tystaco
New member
As a few others are alluding to, how often do you go into 4wd?
When I got my 2000 limited, the mid 20 year old female I bought it from never used 4wd...took a couple weeks of shifting in and out to get it to go in and out smoothly....by that, I mean I would press the 4wd button and the indicator would blink for a long time before going solid, moving back and forth and driving while blinking is fine. Currently if you are locked in, you are in AWD and aren't hurting anything driving like that....so I suggest driving in 4hi and hitting the 4wd button to try and release it and give it a little time.
Again, your issue may be more than this, but this is the easy start people are pointing you towards, which you may already know but haven't outright called out on here.
When I got my 2000 limited, the mid 20 year old female I bought it from never used 4wd...took a couple weeks of shifting in and out to get it to go in and out smoothly....by that, I mean I would press the 4wd button and the indicator would blink for a long time before going solid, moving back and forth and driving while blinking is fine. Currently if you are locked in, you are in AWD and aren't hurting anything driving like that....so I suggest driving in 4hi and hitting the 4wd button to try and release it and give it a little time.
Again, your issue may be more than this, but this is the easy start people are pointing you towards, which you may already know but haven't outright called out on here.
Yeah sorry... new on the job and trying to bounce between work and wrapping my brain around this issue has my attention in all directions. I haven't used the 4wd myself. I purchased the truck a few months back from a kid in college who's parents bought it for him, so I would say it never got used. I however plan to wheel it as I hunt and fish as well as like to play and being in the north, will be getting snow. Thanks for all the help. I'll keep you all updated tonight when I get off work and see what I can get done.
tystaco
New member
Where are you in MI? I am a native and may be able to point you somewhere if you need help...but it is a big state. As stated above, your stick should be in 4hi and you press the 4wd button to engage/disengage....so 2wd occurs while the stick is in the 4hi position with the button off.
I am confused how your buddy shifted into 4lo, because I am pretty sure you need to engage 4hi by pressing the button, waiting for it to lock in, and then pulling back to neutral then pulling to 4lo.
I am confused how your buddy shifted into 4lo, because I am pretty sure you need to engage 4hi by pressing the button, waiting for it to lock in, and then pulling back to neutral then pulling to 4lo.
SpidermanGeek
New member
ccurrans said:
ccurrans said:
ccurrans said:
You seem to be very focused on having your Transfer Case do something in Neutral.
I'm not saying that you don't have a problem with your 4WD system, but I am not so quick to rule out user error, especially since you have not owned your 4Runner for that long and have never made use of the 4WD system.
Your Transfer Case (4WD lever) should always be in 4HI for day to day driving (even in 2WD). You simply switch between 4WD (multi-Mode) and 2WD with the button on the T-Case Lever. You can do this on the fly at speeds up to 50MPH if I'm not mistaken.
If your t-case is in Neutral, your truck won't and can't move under its own power, no matter what gear is selected on the transmission. Your 4WD light will (and should) blink in the dash.
Do you have a Center Diff Lock button as well?
Here's a good reference about 4runner t-cases and all the different 4x4 modes: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html#post669885
Last edited:
SpidermanGeek
New member
If I recall correctly, in my '97 at least, putting the T-case in 4LO overrides the 4WD button. 4WD will automatically be engaged in 4LO. Because concurrently, you cannot switch out of 4WD when in 4LO (there is no 2LO).
tystaco
New member
Interesting...I'll have to try tonight on my 04 taco with the straight stick. Maybe I just assumed you couldn't as the write up on the door states to go to 4hi first....might just be for people that don't know what 4lo is for and want them to use 4hi first.
Thank you! I think with owning a '96 4runner and an '02 tacoma and the differences with the shifters are what is causing my confusion. I could have swore that my shifter lever was in neutral since I bought it though. Sounds like it was just the 4wd button that got pressed and I assumed she grabbed the lever and pulled down for whatever reason. I'm also dealing with a shit ton of stress and anxiety of uprooting my life of 36 years and transplanting to Troy, MI. Thanks for not busting my balls to much on this guys, lol. The help is appreciated.
Similar threads
