Weird 4WD Problem!!!

T

T4Running

New member
I have a 97 T4R limited with 191xxxkm everything thing works great but recently the 4wd is acting up. I can activate the 4wd fine and it works perfect driving straight, when I come to a stop and release the brake (while in drive) it seems to "creep" forward much slower than when in 2wd but when given gas it seems fine. The main issue comes when I turn close to or full lock to the right the car will actually stop moving (while in drive). If I give it gas the car will move but it is not smooth, almost like a jumping/slipping feeling.

If I switch the car back to 2wd when the steering is hard right it begins to move forward as normally expected. It seems very weird that turning hard is the only time this happens and I'm fairly new to the 4Runner so not sure, but it makes me think something is wrong with the front diff....?

Read a bunch of old threads/googled stuff but never seen this issue before
 
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The 'symptoms' you describe are fairly normal for these 4wds. Because extra parts are engaged and turning on each other there is extra friction which you feel as creep/not as smooth/slower moving in gear.

I would avoid the tight turns if you can, that causes extra stress on the overall 4wd system. Make very sure you do not engage the center differential lock on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete, that can cause real damage on tight/locked turns. This could feel like binding or even 'slipping' as the front/rear are forced to turn at the same rate.

I'm guessing your dash lites up w/4 green lites when in 4wd and not when its not?
 
T4Running said:
I have a 97 T4R limited with 191xxxkm everything thing works great but recently the 4wd is acting up. I can activate the 4wd fine and it works perfect driving straight, when I come to a stop and release the brake (while in drive) it seems to "creep" forward much slower than when in 2wd but when given gas it seems fine. The main issue comes when I turn close to or full lock to the right the car will actually stop moving (while in drive). If I give it gas the car will move but it is not smooth, almost like a jumping/slipping feeling.

If I switch the car back to 2wd when the steering is hard right it begins to move forward as normally expected. It seems very weird that turning hard is the only time this happens and I'm fairly new to the 4Runner so not sure, but it makes me think something is wrong with the front diff....?

Read a bunch of old threads/googled stuff but never seen this issue before
Click to expand...

there are a few recent threads on this subject, do a search. lots to read.

that said, stay out of 4wd on pavement. you need a low traction surface, snow, ice, mud etc..

even wet pavement will have too much available traction for traditional 4wd.

check the placard under the visor, if its still there. it should tell you when you should/should not use 4wd.
 
jgue467 said:
The 'symptoms' you describe are fairly normal for these 4wds. Because extra parts are engaged and turning on each other there is extra friction which you feel as creep/not as smooth/slower moving in gear.

I would avoid the tight turns if you can, that causes extra stress on the overall 4wd system. Make very sure you do not engage the center differential lock on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete, that can cause real damage on tight/locked turns. This could feel like binding or even 'slipping' as the front/rear are forced to turn at the same rate.

I'm guessing your dash lites up w/4 green lites when in 4wd and not when its not?
Click to expand...

Yes the green light is on, that seems to function as its supposed to. I have been avoiding those turns, but it mainly happened when turning into a parking spot and as id be turning the wheel while backing out (if the turn was sharp enough) the car stops moving...
 
nevada said:
there are a few recent threads on this subject, do a search. lots to read.

that said, stay out of 4wd on pavement. you need a low traction surface, snow, ice, mud etc..

even wet pavement will have too much available traction for traditional 4wd.

check the placard under the visor, if its still there. it should tell you when you should/should not use 4wd.
Click to expand...

Yeah I did do a search theres just a TON of 4wd not working threads to sift through. Im pretty sure it is supposed to be fine to drive in 4wd in the wet at any speed
 
As was already mentioned by nevada .... PLEASE HEED THIS ADVICE.


4WD should not be used on just WET / RAIN conditions on the street.

If you do so it will act up as described above.

It is ok to use it when driving on a legitimate coverage of SNOW and ICE.

Rain soaked pavement does not qualify. That would be for vehicles with AWD instead of the 4Runner's part time full 4WD system.
 
Last edited:
BrianSD_42 said:
As was already mentioned by nevada .... PLEASE HEED THIS ADVICE.


4WD should not be used on just WET / RAIN conditions on the street.

If you do so it will act up as described above.

It is ok to use it when driving on a legitimate coverage of SNOW and ICE.

Rain soaked pavement does not qualify. That would be for vehicles with AWD instead of the 4Runner's part time full 4WD system.
Click to expand...

Your speaking or pre-01's right? The (mult-mode?) system on 01 and 02's is fine for wet roads given the center is not locked right?
 
T4Running said:
Yeah I did do a search theres just a TON of 4wd not working threads to sift through. Im pretty sure it is supposed to be fine to drive in 4wd in the wet at any speed
Click to expand...
not if its a part time transfer case. if it has a solid 50/50 split, you aren't supposed to drive on pavement in 4wd. is the warning placard still there on there visor? what does it say?

brian4t said:
Your speaking or pre-01's right? The (mult-mode?) system on 01 and 02's is fine for wet roads given the center is not locked right?
Click to expand...
yes, correct.
 
T4Running said:
I have a 97 T4R limited with 191xxxkm everything thing works great but recently the 4wd is acting up. I can activate the 4wd fine and it works perfect driving straight, when I come to a stop and release the brake (while in drive) it seems to "creep" forward much slower than when in 2wd but when given gas it seems fine. The main issue comes when I turn close to or full lock to the right the car will actually stop moving (while in drive). If I give it gas the car will move but it is not smooth, almost like a jumping/slipping feeling.

If I switch the car back to 2wd when the steering is hard right it begins to move forward as normally expected. It seems very weird that turning hard is the only time this happens and I'm fairly new to the 4Runner so not sure, but it makes me think something is wrong with the front diff....?

Read a bunch of old threads/googled stuff but never seen this issue before
Click to expand...

You have Part-Time 4wd. Nothing weird is happening, it is working as designed. It is intended to be used only in slippery conditions.

When you are turning while in 4wd in non-slippery conditions, and the 4Runner doesn't want to roll, it is because the driveline is binding.

Keep using your Part-Time 4wd in high-traction conditions where the driveline binds because the tires can't slip, and at the least you will wear out parts much faster and decrease your MPG. At worst you will break something.
 
02SE said:
You have Part-Time 4wd. Nothing weird is happening, it is working as designed. It is intended to be used only in slippery conditions.

When you are turning while in 4wd in non-slippery conditions, and the 4Runner doesn't want to roll, it is because the driveline is binding.

Keep using your Part-Time 4wd in high-traction conditions where the driveline binds because the tires can't slip, and at the least you will wear out parts much faster and decrease your MPG. At worst you will break something.
Click to expand...

Appreciate all the info :) like I said I'm new to this vehicle (used to drive a subaru sti which is a completely different awd set up)

On another note I'd like to hear if anyone has mechanical input on how I could improve my MPG? I understand all the general things (driving <rpm, city, weather, better gas, fuel injectors etc..) and there is lots of debate/threads about mpg comparisons but I think something needs major cleaning or replacing?

I have been averaging 250km (155miles) per tank!!! I ran it almost empty last time to fill up a full tank of 93octance and so far have done 100km (62miles) on half a tank! This can't be normal :(
 
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