Transfer Case Grinding w/ Flashing 4LO and 4x4 Light

[4boer2]

If you can't watch the video for whatever reason, here's the rundown: I went to drive it one day and I have the ABS, BRAKE, and slip indicator solid on, and 4LO and 4x4 light flashing. There is no ABS or traction control, the car still stops though (duh). I can shift the transfer case from H2 to H4 just fine, but going to 4LO is rough and coming back contains heavy grinding. Everything engages and drives just fine.

So after some research, I've read that grinding is semi-normal for lever actuated 4x4 systems, and to not linger in transfer case neutral, but that's never been a problem and it can't explain the lights. We are having a large melting right now, so maybe some ice melted into a place it shouldn't be?

Thanks and here is a picture to make up for all the words:

 

[mo_mo]

So after some research, I've read that grinding is semi-normal for lever actuated 4x4 systems, and to not linger in transfer case neutral, but that's never been a problem and it can't explain the lights. We are having a large melting right now, so maybe some ice melted into a place it shouldn't be?

Don't linger in N on the Tcase shift...pull/push straight through. The cold may be magnifying it due to thicker oil.

I don't know diddly about your lights, the manual might give you some ideas.

 

[1engineer]

Check your wheel sensor wires. Ice might have stretched or broken one of them.

 

[3wbdriver]

Check your wheel sensor wires. Ice might have stretched or broken one of them.

I concur. Something very similar happened to mine after a front lift installation. It ended up being the right front ABS sensor wire. Or yours could be a sensor due to the weather. A trip to the dealer and diagnostic should narrow it down. It is drivable, you just won't have ABS brakes.

 

[4boer2]

Don't linger in N on the Tcase shift...pull/push straight through. The cold may be magnifying it due to thicker oil.

I don't know diddly about your lights, the manual might give you some ideas.

Noted for the future.

Check your wheel sensor wires. Ice might have stretched or broken one of them.

I concur. Something very similar happened to mine after a front lift installation. It ended up being the right front ABS sensor wire. Or yours could be a sensor due to the weather. A trip to the dealer and diagnostic should narrow it down. It is drivable, you just won't have ABS brakes.

K.

Does anyone think disconnecting the battery might help? Just to clear things?

 

[3wbdriver]

Does anyone think disconnecting the battery might help? Just to clear things?

Couldn't hurt, but probably won't help. They tried that on mine. No joy.

 

[wfo9]

You need to scan it, lights don't flash like that unless there is a code. You will need a Toyota specific scanner. Look into a TIS Techstream cable... They are cheap, but require windows XP or some hacking...

If you need it done in a timely manner, just stuck it up and go to a dealer or any automotive repair shop that has Toyota specific equipment for scanning.

Speed sensor wire is a good possibility, but it would take some time to test each wire. if you have that time, do it with a multi-meter and verify resistance and connection on each wire. The scan should tell yo which one, if that is the problem.

This is one thing I really hate about Toyota. Most brands support a diagnostic mode on the dash, but Toyota wants to keep it closed to dealers... .

 

[Intruder]

Check your wheel sensor wires. Ice might have stretched or broken one of them.

Yup, definitely this. Just have to figure out which one now. The good news is once you know it's easy enough to replace yourself. I did my passenger side one without even having to take the wheel off.

 

[wfo9]

If I had to guess which wire... it would be passenger front. It is problematic on that side, but that is just a guess I would start there if I was going to manually test each one.

 

[4boer2]

I checked each sensor and they're all plugged in with no visible damage. I'll take it to the dealer after spring break.

 

[wfo9]

I checked each sensor and they're all plugged in with no visible damage. I'll take it to the dealer after spring break.

Visual check won't really tell you much. You have to unplug at wheel and back at frame and test each wire (2 per connector). Start with the passenger front as that is usually the problem one.

 

[4boer2]

fixed

Just thought I'd update. All of the sensors were good, however the drivers rear wire was bad (.3 out of 6K ohms). All of the lights are off now, which is much less exciting. I didn't try to put it into 4LO, but the grinding had nothing to do with this anyway. I'm beating myself up for not doing it myself as this would have been easier than an oil change, but they told me that is was an ABS wiring harness and I assumed that meant complicated engine bay stuff, not three plug-n-play connectors. I'm going to sell my cargo cover to try and make up for the labor cost. Here are pics of the part and number:

Update: The t-case is butter smoother when you don't wait. Go right through.