Yikes!!

S

Seawolf

New member
Hi guys,

I was trying to sell my 4Runner, and the prospective buyer noticed that the 4WD wasn't working. So I took it to the dealer, and they said it was the Tranfer Case shift actuator. They quoted me... >$2200!! :eek:

I'm not really interested in spending that much. Any suggestions? It's a 2004 4Runner Sport, V6 with 61000 miles. Should I try to tackle this myself? Is it hugely complicated? They said the part alone was $1200, and labor is $1030.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

B

PS - Is it too late to get an extended warranty?
 
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Seawolf said:
Hi guys,

I was trying to sell my 4Runner, and the prospective buyer noticed that the 4WD wasn't working. So I took it to the dealer, and they said it was the Tranfer Case shift actuator. They quoted me... >$2200!! :eek:

I'm not really interested in spending that much. Any suggestions? It's a 2004 4Runner Sport, V6 with 61000 miles. Should I try to tackle this myself? Is it hugely complicated? They said the part alone was $1200, and labor is $1030.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

B
Click to expand...

You are implying you did not know the transfer case had gone south? I would try finding a small truck shop to give another quote on what is needed to fix it. Unless you really know a lot about working on Toyota transfer cases, I don't think just jumping into fixing it would have a happy ending. Just my thoughts others might see it in a better light. Anyway I hope it get fixed so you can make the sale.
 
riverider said:
You are implying you did not know the transfer case had gone south? I would try finding a small truck shop to give another quote on what is needed to fix it. Unless you really know a lot about working on Toyota transfer cases, I don't think just jumping into fixing it would have a happy ending. Just my thoughts others might see it in a better light. Anyway I hope it get fixed so you can make the sale.
Click to expand...

No, I had no idea. It was working just fine last winter. It gave no indication whatsoever that it was going bad.

MikesToy said:
getter done. Spending $2200 sucks but you get your rig up and running unless you wanna sell it "As is".
Click to expand...

I could try to do that, but I don't know if there are many people out there that are willing to take on such a project. I'd rather fix and sell...
 
riverider said:
You are implying you did not know the transfer case had gone south? .
Click to expand...

He didn't say that the transfer case had "gone south", he just said that the shift actuator is faulty. It's not like his transfer case is toast.

No big deal, really, and I could see how someone might not even know there's a problem, especially if he didn't use 4wd since last winter.
 
Teqeeler said:
So how did the prospective buyer notice it wasn't working?
Click to expand...

If you switch it into 4wd and it doesn't go in, well, there's a problem. In his case, turning the switch to 4wd and you shouldn't see the 4wd indicator lamp go into 4wd mode.
 
I know I can be off with my suggestion, but I think your problem is related to a lack of “exercise” of shift actuator. I believe if you read owners manual you will see that you need to turn 4x4 mode and drive for at least 10 miles monthly… but of course most of people never do that thus creating this issue on V6 model (selectable 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive modes )….. maybe that why Land Cruisers and 4ruuners with V8 always had fulltime all wheel drive…
Nevertheless, I would recommend trying to turn on and off 4 wheel drive (many many times) …. maybe you will get lucky and it will start working again.
 
ToyTech99 said:
He didn't say that the transfer case had "gone south", he just said that the shift actuator is faulty. It's not like his transfer case is toast.

No big deal, really, and I could see how someone might not even know there's a problem, especially if he didn't use 4wd since last winter.
Click to expand...

If when you put a 4wd in 4wd and it don't work, it has gone south. A shift actuator part at $1200 man what a BIG ripoff. and $1020 labor oh yeah another BIG ripoff. and you call this no BIG deal? You must be a money guy huh?:zoom:
 
progress4m said:
I know I can be off with my suggestion, but I think your problem is related to a lack of “exercise” of shift actuator. I believe if you read owners manual you will see that you need to turn 4x4 mode and drive for at least 10 miles monthly… but of course most of people never do that thus creating this issue on V6 model (selectable 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive modes )….. maybe that why Land Cruisers and 4ruuners with V8 always had fulltime all wheel drive…
Nevertheless, I would recommend trying to turn on and off 4 wheel drive (many many times) …. maybe you will get lucky and it will start working again.
Click to expand...

Maybe all 4wd owners of Toyota 4Runners, new to enroll their 4Runners at a Gold's Gym. And make them “exercise” their shift actuators.:bluejump:
 
Seawolf,
mine did the same thing, my research found only one other person that this happened to, so your the 3rd. and yes, without the Extended warr. it will cost over $2K, the actuator in located inside of the transmission, so they have to pull the tranny, take it apart to replace the part/actuator.
Stinks that you didnt get the ext. warr. I also bought my 04 used, but it was "certified" and I got the ext. warr. thats good to 100K it cost me a grand total of $50 to get it fixed.
I wouldnt try fixing it myself, but that me, lol

I feel your pain..
 
riverider said:
If when you put a 4wd in 4wd and it don't work, it has gone south. A shift actuator part at $1200 man what a BIG ripoff. and $1020 labor oh yeah another BIG ripoff. and you call this no BIG deal? You must be a money guy huh?:zoom:
Click to expand...

The TRANSFER CASE hasn't "gone south", just the shift actuator. If you think that's an expensive fix, just hope and pray that you don't have to replace a busted transfer case. The labor alone would be more than that total job.

I'd fix it myself for a fraction of the cost. It's really no big deal.
 
Teqeeler said:
So how did the prospective buyer notice it wasn't working?
Click to expand...

He switched it to 4WD and nothing happened. He even tried 4Lo, but no dice. It beeped in 4Lo, but didn't shift.

ToyTech99 said:
If you switch it into 4wd and it doesn't go in, well, there's a problem. In his case, turning the switch to 4wd and you shouldn't see the 4wd indicator lamp go into 4wd mode.
Click to expand...

The indicator lamp was flashing the whole time the switch was in 4WD (the Diff light was also flashing along with it).

progress4m said:
I know I can be off with my suggestion, but I think your problem is related to a lack of “exercise” of shift actuator. I believe if you read owners manual you will see that you need to turn 4x4 mode and drive for at least 10 miles monthly… but of course most of people never do that thus creating this issue on V6 model (selectable 4 wheel drive and 2 wheel drive modes )….. maybe that why Land Cruisers and 4ruuners with V8 always had fulltime all wheel drive…
Nevertheless, I would recommend trying to turn on and off 4 wheel drive (many many times) …. maybe you will get lucky and it will start working again.
Click to expand...

Wow, really? I'll definitely give that a shot. Yeah, I used it maybe 3 or 4 times last year, and never since. I'll definitely be exercising it tonight. Thanks for the tip! :cheers:

ric said:
Seawolf,
mine did the same thing, my research found only one other person that this happened to, so your the 3rd. and yes, without the Extended warr. it will cost over $2K, the actuator in located inside of the transmission, so they have to pull the tranny, take it apart to replace the part/actuator.
Stinks that you didnt get the ext. warr. I also bought my 04 used, but it was "certified" and I got the ext. warr. thats good to 100K it cost me a grand total of $50 to get it fixed.
I wouldnt try fixing it myself, but that me, lol

I feel your pain..
Click to expand...

Warranties are nice, aren't they? :) Thanks for the kind words, sir.
 
go to a big dirt parking lot and do slow, lazy big figure 8's while repeatedly turning the switch.

It's a longshot but it's free.
 
This thread made me realize I'd never tried 4LO before, not even before I bought it (dumb). I have the V8 so full time 4WD.

Thankfully everything engages properly.
 
Well, just to provide an update for anyone who might encounter similar issues:

I ordered a used (from a junkyard, online) transfer case electric motor from a V6, 2005 4Runner, and got it yesterday. Took it to the Toyota mechanic today. He called me back and told me that the part I got was missing the rods - the actuator rods that go into the xfer case. So I called a bunch of junkyards to see if I could get them to send me the rods, and apparently, no one disassembles these things from the xfer case. So, now I have to buy the whole transfer case, which is significantly more expensive.

I'm going Friday to pick up the xfer case from a used part place.

To summarize, if this happens to you, save yourself the trouble and just order the transfer case.

We'll see what happens when I get the part in to the mechanic :snacker:
 
Seawolf said:
Well, just to provide an update for anyone who might encounter similar issues:

I ordered a used (from a junkyard, online) transfer case electric motor from a V6, 2005 4Runner, and got it yesterday. Took it to the Toyota mechanic today. He called me back and told me that the part I got was missing the rods - the actuator rods that go into the xfer case. So I called a bunch of junkyards to see if I could get them to send me the rods, and apparently, no one disassembles these things from the xfer case. So, now I have to buy the whole transfer case, which is significantly more expensive.

I'm going Friday to pick up the xfer case from a used part place.

To summarize, if this happens to you, save yourself the trouble and just order the transfer case.

We'll see what happens when I get the part in to the mechanic :snacker:
Click to expand...

WTF? Just tell them to use the rods from your 4Runner. Do you know exactly why your 4Runner isn't going into 4wd? Does it have anything to do with these "rods" that you're talking about? If not, then have them reuse yours when they make the swap.
 
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