Very Strange Actuator Behavior- HELP

[David61]

05' 4 Runner, 6 cyl. Was stuck in 4WD, it would go in but not out. I did the forward backward thing with no change. By chance with the car in 4WD, I stopped, put it in park and turned off the engine / restarted and 4WD disengages every time. I would switch back to 4WD and it engages, but wont engage until I restart. This happens from forward or reverse.............please dont say I need a new actuator. What's going on? are there any tests? cleanings..................Thanks for your wisdom!

One more thing, the 4WD status lights are always blinking when in 4WD mode.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I think there are vacuum lines doing some work that need tested?

 

[Brandon H]

Your front Actuator is going out. There is probably some moisture inside the actuator causing it to go bad. I replaced 3 of them on my 07 Tacoma. I had the exact same problem you did

 

[jwkilgore]

One more thing, the 4WD status lights are always blinking when in 4WD mode.

Have you confirmed that you're actually going into 4WD? Turn off traction control and try to spin the tires on dirt to see if both front and back are getting power.

My guess is that it's trying to work the actuator but failing and throwing a code. The code stays active until you restart the engine and reset the code.

 

[David61]

Further testing reveals =
Drive to Park+ 2wd to 4wd and 4 to 2 = audible disengage.
Neutral to park, 4 to 2 = audible disengage
P 4 to 2 and 2 to 4 engage /disengage = audible
P 2 to 4 = audible engage.

I hope this helps, I'll check the vacuum lines (any secrets) Thanks again for helping me out.

 

[David61]

I'll try spinning on dirt. Going out of town for a week and will let you know what happens. So the actuator is trying, but failing and "throws a code" to indicate the failure........how and where do I find the code?

 

[David61]

t-case diagnosis, what's up??????

OK, Got the 4R off the ground.
4H - 4L Actuator sound, engine off to reset.
4L - 4H Actuator sound, no sound returning to 4H

Otherwise I heard no other sounds. The front tires never turned, the front drive shaft engaged, but no front wheels turned. The left front wheel is a little more difficult to spin than the others........what do ya think? I'm hoping its the front.

I saw another post about taking the cover off the t-case actuator to inspect the gears for corrosion etc. There was also some talk about cad electrical contacts on the actuator motor. Thanks!