Transfer Case Actuator Motor Replacement - OEM or Aftermarket?

[WrenchTech]

The vehicle is a 2002 runner with the four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive transfer case has the electric 4wd shift button on the side of the shifter knob. The vehicle is stuck in 4wd due to a bad actuator on the transfer case. The best deal that I can find on an OEM part is around $1300. I am seeing aftermarket actuators for as low as $130. I usually buy OEM parts, but the difference here is so huge that I am considering trying the aftermarket part. I would like to hear from anybody who’s had any experience with the aftermarket actuators?

 

[toverturf]

I don't have experience but I assume you've tested everything else before determining it's the actuator? I know on my 99 it was a bad switch in the front diff but the 2002 is different.

 

[shadow247]

The vehicle is a 2002 runner with the four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive transfer case has the electric 4wd shift button on the side of the shifter knob. The vehicle is stuck in 4wd due to a bad actuator on the transfer case. The best deal that I can find on an OEM part is around $1300. I am seeing aftermarket actuators for as low as $130. I usually buy OEM parts, but the difference here is so huge that I am considering trying the aftermarket part. I would like to hear from anybody who’s had any experience with the aftermarket actuators?

The first pic shows the ADD actuator on the front diff.

2nd pic shows the Tcase actuator. You can try manually actuating the Tcase actuator.

Are you certain the Frt Diff Actuator is working properly. Mine was stuck in 4wd with a flashing light, ended up being the Frt Diff Actuator. The Tcase unlocks AFTER the 4wd computer sees that the Frt Diff has unlocked, so if it's stuck in a half unlocked state like mine was, it will never get the Open Circuit signal to unlock the diff.

 

[WrenchTech]

toverturf

See my response to the post below. Thanks for your reply.

 

[WrenchTech]

The first pic shows the ADD actuator on the front diff.

2nd pic shows the Tcase actuator. You can try manually actuating the Tcase actuator.

Are you certain the Frt Diff Actuator is working properly. Mine was stuck in 4wd with a flashing light, ended up being the Frt Diff Actuator. The Tcase unlocks AFTER the 4wd computer sees that the Frt Diff has unlocked, so if it's stuck in a half unlocked state like mine was, it will never get the Open Circuit signal to unlock the diff.

Thank you for your detailed reply. I have a 1999 runner with the familiar mechanical transfer case. This is the first time I’ve ever worked on a runner with the electrically shifted case. The diagnosis was made by an independent shop run by a certified Toyota factory technician. He supposedly used a scanner to diagnose the actuator malfunction. He did it as a favor for my friend, who is the owner of the 2002 runner. Instead of relying on his diagnosis, I should use the information that you have provided here to do a more extensive examination, ie., to make sure that the ADD is working properly before running off and buying a transfer case motor actuator.

 

[shadow247]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I have a 1999 runner with the familiar mechanical transfer case. This is the first time I’ve ever worked on a runner with the electrically shifted case. The diagnosis was made by an independent shop run by a certified Toyota factory technician. He supposedly used a scanner to diagnose the actuator malfunction. He did it as a favor for my friend, who is the owner of the 2002 runner. Instead of relying on his diagnosis, I should use the information that you have provided here to do a more extensive examination, ie., to make sure that the ADD is working properly before running off and buying a transfer case motor actuator.

Easiest way to tell with the vehicle on the ground is to do the following.

1. Engage Parking Brake and Block the wheels
2. Transfer Case to "N" Position.
3. Turn Front driveshaft by Hand
4. Driveshaft Turns = Front Diff ADD is Unlocked - Suspect Transfer Case Actuator
5. Driveshaft does not turn = Front Diff ADD is Locked - Suspect Front Diff Actuator