Won't shift to 4Lo...cheap fix?

[salong53]

My '04 won't shift into 4lo. I am certain I am following the proper procedure. I've read about actuators and such. This vehicle was owned by my parents who I'm fairly certain only put it in 4lo maybe once in 140k miles. I have no trouble at all with 4hi or the center diff lock. The simple question: Is there a cost effective way to fix this? DIY write up maybe? A trick I don't know about?

 

[ebg18t]

cost effective and 4lo actuator are not used in the same sentence.

 

[Beastmobile]

I had an issue when i bought my 4runner and it wasnt going into 4lo. So i sat in my car and put it in 4lo and just ate my lunch. After about 1 min or more, it popped in. Now it goes into 4lo right away. Maybe give that a try

 

[Jembrmstr]

people say you can knock on the actuator with a small hammer or just keep trying to engage it over and over, doesnt work from my experience, it wont be cheap and the dealer will do it twice (rebuilding it)just to get it right. -good luck

 

[Bob J]

I have found that sometimes it helps to put it back in gear and slowly move forward after a few whacks with a deadblow hammer.... The hammer is to loosen it up and moving forward helps the splines align....

 

[c_mack9]

 

[Coveman]

I had issues with both transfer case actuator motors, here was my story with a happy ending...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/156898-transfer-case-actuator.html

 

[scw1991]

I tried whacking actuator mounted on transfer case using rubber mallet with no luck. Then I loosened the Qty-3 actuator bolts just enough to wiggle it a bit from side to side then re-tightened the bolts. 4LO engaged immediately as well as center differential lock. Whew!