Stuck in L4 won't go back to H4

[808g19]

Like the title says. Need help please. I have a 2004 SR5 V8 AWD. I turned the switch to L4 just to check if its still functioning and drove around the parking lot at work, put it in neutral and switched back to H4 but L4 keeps blinking and won't disengage. I turned off the ignition with switch still in H4 in neutral and started it back up after a few seconds, L4 went off, put it in drive and still drives like I'm in L4 still. I need your expertise.

 

[808g19]

Is my actuator bad? If so how much are they?

 

[jimithing]

Could just be stuck. Sometimes you can work them loose by either just trying to cycle the switch or a light tap from a mallet. Check out this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62382-new-guy-fixed-4lo-my-runner.html

If the actuator needs to be replaced it won't be cheap. Somewhere in the $1500 range.

 

[KingPrat]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/130952-center-diff-lock-issue.html

Just went through this myself. First was the Center diff lock, then it stuck in 4Lo.

Mine was a $2200 repair, the actuator itself is a $1000+ part.

I hope that you can get it figured out without having to go to the dealer, but it's a tough situation. I tried cycling the switch and rubber mallet trick, and it made things worse! So to each his own.

Good luck!

 

[808g19]

Could just be stuck. Sometimes you can work them loose by either just trying to cycle the switch or a light tap from a mallet. Check out this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62382-new-guy-fixed-4lo-my-runner.html

If the actuator needs to be replaced it won't be cheap. Somewhere in the $1500 range.

Thanks for the response jimithing, guess I'll have to give it some light taps before anything else.

 

[808g19]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/130952-center-diff-lock-issue.html

Just went through this myself. First was the Center diff lock, then it stuck in 4Lo.

Mine was a $2200 repair, the actuator itself is a $1000+ part.

I hope that you can get it figured out without having to go to the dealer, but it's a tough situation. I tried cycling the switch and rubber mallet trick, and it made things worse! So to each his own.

Good luck!

$2200 ouch! How long did the repair take?

 

[BURNINGAIR]

Try backing up, or going forward for a bit first.. In dirt or sand.. It could be something as simple as the drivetrain binding. If you are in 4low on pavement it tends to happen, as pavement wont let the drivetrain unload. Really you shouldnt use 4low on dry pavement for that reason.

 

[08T4R]

4lo is fine on any surface, as is 4hi so long as the center differential is NOT locked. Its in the manual, as well as the operating instruction card that goes in the drivers visor.

It sounds like the actuator may be hung up, as others have said. Try driving back and forth slowly in 2, 4hi and cycle the switch. It wont shift from 4L unless youre stopped and in neutral though.

 

[JB.]

Also try rolling very slowly - 1-3 mph - in neutral.

With what it costs to fix, it's worth trying everything you can over and over. I'd expect there to be a very good chance it will eventually unlock. Then you have to decide if you want to let it alone and never use it or immediately engage it again a few times and then frequently exercise it for as long as you own it.

If there's any chance you locked the center diff and aren't aware of it, that could affect it too.

 

[808g19]

Thanks for all of you input fellas. I got my 4Runner out of L4 mode. Hoped in this after noon and warmed her up for a good 15-20min. Put it L4 ran the gears back and forth to P-L then neutral, switched to H4 waited a few minutes then heard a thump. Reversed out the garage and she drove like normal again.

 

[jimithing]

Thanks for all of you input fellas. I got my 4Runner out of L4 mode. Hoped in this after noon and warmed her up for a good 15-20min. Put it L4 ran the gears back and forth to P-L then neutral, switched to H4 waited a few minutes then heard a thump. Reversed out the garage and she drove like normal again.

Glad to hear. If you intend on ever needing L4 make it a habit to put it in L4 once every month or so and drive around the block or something.

 

[KingPrat]

$2200 ouch! How long did the repair take?

It was about 3 days. They didn't have the part in stock, and it's about 12 hours of labor. They have to drop the transfer case and etc.

Glad to hear yours worked out.