Transfer case, actuator and water

[sknightjr1]

Over the weekend, I backed my son's 4th Gen 4Runner (2005) into the bay to drop our duckboat in the water. There wasn't a boat ramp so we did it from a sandy beach. Water was up the bottom of the car but the door could open without water coming in so not crazy deep. I had the car in simple 4WD and the time, not 4LO, however, the 4LO light came on along with Engine, VSC OFF and a whole slew of others..... 4LO is now blinking and beeping after I reset ECU, most lights went away but the 4LO blinking and beeping. The 4WD drive dial does nothing now, except it stops the beeping if I set dial to 4LO, but again it doesn't activate the actuator to set transfer case in 4LO. Drove it home from trip (about a 100 miles) and aside from not having 5th gear, it drove fine. I threw my code reader on it but nothing is coming up. Just wondering what folks think, I'm thinking the actuator is fubar and water got inside and I'm looking at a potential $$$$ repair. I'm very mechanical and can do all the work myself if folks think this is the issue. Would love some feedback to do some simple diagnostics before I drop the money. Appreciate any help!

 

[TRDCal]

Seems silly that the 4lo actuator would fail after that. We've had members darn near submerge their entire 4runners without having actuator issues. I'd double check the wires going to the actuator, maybe some water got into the connector...i don't know.

How often do you use 4lo, the actuator might just be seized, try cycling it in and out of 4lo multiple times to see if you can free it up, you could also try giving it some light taps with a hammer to see if that helps.

Good luck

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I think its more coincidental that its started to fail/trigger codes now than it failing due to the water. It is possible that it could have failed do to that, but many members do water crossings, have flooded their 4Runners, and over all there have been few failures of the actuator due to this. I would try what TRDCal suggested and see if that helps your situation.

 

[having fun]

I've had mine submerged and the 4lo wouldn't engage due to water and conections. Bad signal to component. Might get under it with a air hose and blow out your connections,, remove of course.

 

[sknightjr1]

Reply

I tried bOth suggestions aand still the same. I need to try once more to dry them. we use the 4wd al the time so it not locked up.

 

[sknightjr1]

I sprayed contact cleaner on both connectors. I will try blowing out the water if there is any left. I tried the rubber mallet. Do I need to reset ECU after I clean contacts?

 

[aha2988]

I sprayed contact cleaner on both connectors. I will try blowing out the water if there is any left. I tried the rubber mallet. Do I need to reset ECU after I clean contacts?

also put dielectric grease in the connectors so that water won't harm them again. It's also a good Idea to put this in all electrical connections to prevent shorts. (I.E head light connectors, throttle body connectors, coil packs etc.)
..which reminds me of something else I need to do dang it.

check all your fuses and relays to make sure if water did short out a connection none of them have gone bad if simply cleaning the connections doesn't work.

I know for fact my entire transmission and transfer case have been submerged in mud, muck, water you name it and I've never had and issue so this is new and weird to me.

I just want to make sure you do know you have to have the vehicle in neutral to switch from 4hi to 4lo or it will beep at you as well as have it in neutral to switch from 4lo to 4hi or it will beep at you again. it seems silly to post this but you never know some sales reps for toyota don't even know how to engage 4lo properly I've heard some salesmen have said "it beeps at you to let you know its in 4lo" lol

 

[sknightjr1]

I'm still having the same issue. I'm wondering if water could have gotten in the t-case. Have not checked that but it is possible. The light that is troubling me is the diff lock is blinking. Maybe the issue I'm having is with the differential locker. I included a picture of the dash lights, the one below the LO is the one I mean. Wondering if this could be it.

I performed everything you suggested, dielectric greased the connections after thoroughly cleaning contacts on the t-case actuator. Checked all the fuses, the ones I thought it might be. Does anyone know which fuse to check? I have no idea how to check relays, so that information could prove useful.

Picture of all the lights I have that are either on or blinking

Getting close to bringing it to the dealer for a diagnostic of the problem.

Appreciate the help to date guys!

 

[TRDCal]

Picture of all the lights I have that are either on or blinking

You mean to say that all those lights in the picture stay on or blink at all times? Even the door ajar and seat belt one? That's very strange. On an unrelated note, whats that green 4x4 light above the 4lo one, I've never seen that one before.

Do you still have no 5th gear? Maybe a connector on the transmission got wet. I find it funny that the dash lights are on but no codes are thrown? Maybe bring it to autozone or some place that checks for free just to try a different code scanner.

I would be wiery of bringing it to a dealer, they'll probably find a really expensive part that may or may not need to be changed.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Holy crap... You sure you didn't get any water in a module or two? That's a Christmas tree alright.. :jaw:

 

[sknightjr1]

Sorry I should clarify a few things, first I had the drivers side door open when I took that picture so the door ajar was on. Maint light needs to be reset from last oil change (hate that one). Seat belt was on because I was parked in the driveway. Low tire pressure because one of the tire sender batteries died but the remainder (I assure you) are valid. The green light is normal 2WD light and is on all the time, not worried about that one. All the others came on even after I reset the ECU 10 minutes before taking picture.

No 5th gear! talk about burning through a tank of gas quickly.

If I bring it to dealer, it would only be for a diagnostic...nothing more or less. Should be less than $100 because I always tell them "TAKE NOTHING APART", "disassemble NOTHING"... That's standard Op for dealers to take crap apart and tell you well it will cost more to put it back together , blah blah... been there and not getting suckered again.

I have an ORB II reader but no codes are being thrown from the ECU but I guess there 4WD ECU, not sure. Check out this diagram, looks like it has its own ECU.

I can check the transmission connections, need to locate them first, hahaha.

 

[TRDCal]

I have an ORB II reader but no codes are being thrown from the ECU but I guess there 4WD ECU, not sure. Check out this diagram, looks like it has its own ECU.

When you say "reset the ECU". What are you doing, unplugging the battery or?

It doesn't make sense that check engine light among others is on and no codes are being thrown, I don't think that's possible. I mean I believe what your saying but maybe you have a faulty code reader or maybe its not capable of reading 4runner codes. The 4wd does have its own control unit but all codes are stored in the same spot, I believe.

Personally, I would track down every connector on the t-case and tranny, clean them up as aha2988 suggested. If no dice then take it for the diagnostic.

A 2wd light? I thought you had a V8 on account of your low redline I thought the V6 redline was above 6000.

 

[sknightjr1]

When you say "reset the ECU". What are you doing, unplugging the battery or?

It doesn't make sense that check engine light among others is on and no codes are being thrown, I don't think that's possible. I mean I believe what your saying but maybe you have a faulty code reader or maybe its not capable of reading 4runner codes. The 4wd does have its own control unit but all codes are stored in the same spot, I believe.

Personally, I would track down every connector on the t-case and tranny, clean them up as aha2988 suggested. If no dice then take it for the diagnostic.

A 2wd light? I thought you had a V8 on account of your low redline I thought the V6 redline was above 6000.

I just ran the code reader again since the ENGINE light came back on, didnt put 2 and 2 together. P2772 and P2772 p/d. I reset my machine but those codes look like they came from my Infiniti. They look too familiar and are not showing anything remotely close to the problem. I need to get out there in the morning and recheck the codes after another reset. I have a V6, should have clarified. Also I disconnected the battery to reset, unless there is another way using a series of foot taps on the gas peddle like my Infiniti. Not sure.

I really appreciate the help! Its a puzzler but your making me think. Thanks!

 

[jdkilroy]

I'm not so sure that the green light above the 4LO light is meant to indicate 2WD mode, that normally indicates that the transfer case is in 4WD mode. When the transfer case is in 2WD, the green light should go out.

 

[sknightjr1]

You're probably right but honestly the green light is not the issue here. I'm working mostly from memory but I seem to remember the green light on when I'm just driving around.

 

[zonianbrat]

You're probably right but honestly the green light is not the issue here. I'm working mostly from memory but I seem to remember the green light on when I'm just driving around.

I'd say the green light may be part of the issue. I also have a v6 and when it is in 2wd mode the light is off. So if it is on when you have the selector in 2wd mode then you or your son might actually be driving around in 4x4. So do you know why you do not have 5th gear? I'd be checking on that first and foremost then working my way down from there. You obviously have an electrical gremlin cause you wouldnt be making a 100 mile trip with the diff locked if you had to make any turns or you would have crattered something. I'd take it to someone who has a tranny code reader. I'm not an expert of course but my old tahoe would throw a code once in a while and a standard obd II reader wouldnt read anything but general error. So I stopped by my mechanics shop and he had some fancy expensive reader and it read transmission component slipping. Just a thought and good luck.

 

[sknightjr1]

After reviewing the codes I found this article.

http://4runnerclub.com/i/4r_files/fsm/ToyManuals-2007-4Runner/toyfsrm/trans/auto%20trans%20system%20for%202uz-fe/A750F%202UZ-FE%20P2772.pdf

anyone know which switch this might be? or better yet, where it might be located. Going to run this test if its valid for my vehicle.

 

[TRDCal]

I really appreciate the help! Its a puzzler but your making me think. Thanks!

Not a problem, let us know if you find anything.

EDIT: Oops, forgot to check the page 2 for replies haha. Altho that link you posted says its for the 2uzfe (v8) it's worth a try. Hopefully water didn't cause a short circuit which could have fried the 4wd ECU.

 

[sknightjr1]

Popped the actuator case open slightly and it was full of water...FULL. Anyone know where I can pick one of these up or can i clean it out and get it working? I need to locate diagrams for the shift assembly it they exist. Any suggestions?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Oooh... Uhmm...Eh, You MIGHT be able to rebuild the unit.. but honestly I'm not a 100% sure. First I have no clue i it is even serviceable (probably not) and second If its been waterlogged it may have damaged circuits and such...

I will try and get you a diagram of that stuff Saturday when I have time at work.