Stuck in 4 wheel drive

Tiny
MARIANNE02189
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
I was told that I needed a new transfer case at the end of the winter as my 4wheel drive was broken. Last night I was driving and my car was flashing 4Lo, vsc trac on and vsc trac off and check engine and suddenly my 4 wheel drive high is engaged. Puzzled because I was told it was broken and needed to be fixed, which I did not do. Anyone else have this problem and how do I fix it
Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 3:45 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a transfer case actuator that has gone out here is the location so you can check it out. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
SLAUGH009
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this problem and got a new transfer case actuator cost $239.00 fixed it
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
HKLAUSING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
When I try to put my truck into 4WD, the gold and green lights in the gauge cluster flash, but won't stop. The truck won't ever engage into 4WD. I've atrempted this several times on several different days, as well as at different speeds, neutral, and park. I have checked the fuse, and it's fine. I did notice an electronic beeping noise from around the left drivers side wheel. The truck won't go into 4Lo either. Any ideas?
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+3
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
You need to check the transfer case shift actuator on the back of the transfer case. I can not find a test procedure but when the light just flashes that is usually the problem. Hope this helps Thanks
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIKITRAVIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
My 2001 4 Runner is stuck in 4WD. I engaged it as per the procedures listed in the owners manual. All 4 hubs feel engaged but the gear ratio is still 2WD. It binds and pinches during tight radius turns and the engine is working harder. The Toyota repair place suggested a new actuator but it just feels stuck. Any ideas?
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
If you're binding up, you are for sure stuck in 4whl high. Can you hear the actuator move, or try to move when you switch ranges? If no, check the fuse and the switch. If ok, you need to test for power to the actuator unit when switching ranges. If you have power, ohm test the actuator itself so see if the motor is good. If the motor tests good, you have a linkage problem in the T case.
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN83
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 230,000 MILES
I have a 2000 4runner and the 4x4 lights are blinking. I took it to the dealership and they told me my acuator was out. I replaced it. They then told me my ECU was out and I replaced it. I then took it to a different shop and they replaced the nob on the 4x4 shifter and the indicator sensor (on the transfer case) and another sensor on the ft end by the acuator. It still does not work. I do not think that it is in 4x4, but with the lights blinking, I cannot put it in to the 4x4. I have also replaced the silonoids that run the vacume to the acuator, and I am currently geting vacume to one and vacume at the canaster and the acuator.
Any ideas?
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-1
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Basically they replaced everything. The fact that the light is blinking indicates there is a trouble code present. Have the computer scanned to identify what the code is and let me know.
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-1
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
I hope you can help. I just purchased the 4 runner listed above. I live in Colorado but it came from Florida. Long ways from home. Anyway, Car runs perfect but I don't think it has been engaged in 4 wheel drive for a long time. When I press the button on the side of the lever, the lights just blink and do not engage. Sometimes they actually do engage and when I try to depress the button the lights blink again and it will not disengage. I have check all connection to the transfer case and checked oil in the transfer case. I do not feel it is electrical but maybe the engagement mechanism has failed?

Please help.

THANK YOU!
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
OVERALL SYSTEM CHECK 1. Raise vehicle off ground and support with jackstands, so all 4 wheels can rotate. Start engine and place transfer case shift lever in "L" position on Land Cruiser, "L4" position on Tacoma, and 4WD position on 4Runner. On Land Cruiser, turn differential lock control switch to "RR", on all other models turn differential lock control switch on. Ensure indicator light turns on. Go to next step. 2. If light indicator light is blinking, rotate tires to engage differential gears. Turn differential lock control switch off, and ensure indicator light turns off. Go to next step. 3. Turn differential lock control switch on. Locate 4WD control unit. See Fig. 1, Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. With wheels turning at 5 MPH, measure voltage between 4WD control unit terminals No. 2 and 3 by backprobing connector. See Fig. 4. Voltage should be 0.5 volt or less. If voltage is not as specified, check wiring harness for short to voltage. See WIRING DIAGRAMS. Repair as necessary. Turn differential lock control switch off. Stop engine and lower vehicle. Fig. 4: Identifying 4WD Control Unit Terminals Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A, INC.
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DIFFERENTIAL LOCK CIRCUIT 1. Ensure battery voltage is 10-14 volts. Disconnect 4WD control unit connector. Turn ignition on and go to next step. 2. Check differential lock actuator circuit. Using ohmmeter, measure resistance between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminals No. 2 and 3. See Fig. 5. Resistance should be less than 100 ohms. If resistance is as specified, go to next step. If resistance is not as specified, go to step 9. 3. Check ground circuit. Check continuity between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 7 and ground. Continuity should exist. If continuity is as specified, go to next step. If continuity is not as specified, go to step 9. 4. Check vehicle speed sensor circuit. Check continuity between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 10 and ground. Move vehicle slowly (at least 5 MPH). A pulse of continuity should exist for each 15.8" (401 mm) of movement. If continuity is as specified, go to next step. If continuity is not as specified, go to step 9. 5. Check DIFF fuse circuit. Measure voltage between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 5 and ground. If battery voltage is not present, check and replace fuse as necessary. If fuse is okay, go to step 9. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. 6. Check differential lock position switch circuit. Measure voltage between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 1 and ground. When differential lock indicator light is on, no voltage should be present. When differential lock indicator light is off, 10-14 volts should be present. If voltage is as specified, go to next step. If voltage is not as specified, go to step 9. 7. Check 4WD position switch circuit. Measure voltage between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 8 and ground. With 4WD shift lever in "N" or "H" position, no voltage should be present. With shift lever in "L" position on Land Cruiser, "L4" on Tacoma, and 4WD on 4Runner, voltage should be 10-14 volts. If voltage is as specified, go to next step. If voltage is not as specified, go to step 9. 8. Check differential lock control switch circuit. Measure voltage between 4WD control unit wiring harness connector terminal No. 4 and ground. With control switch off, no voltage should be present. With control switch on, 10-14 volts should be present. If voltage is as specified, go to step 10. If voltage is not as specified, go to next step. 9. Check components and wiring harness. Check appropriate component (if necessary). See COMPONENT TESTS. Replace as necessary. If appropriate component is okay, check harness and connectors for terminal damage, corrosion or pins pushed out. Repair or replace as necessary and retest system. 10. Check circuit with control unit connected. Turn ignition off. Connect 4WD control unit connector. Turn ignition on. With differential control switch in specified positions, check voltage at 4WD control unit by backprobing connector.
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 5:50 PM (Merged)

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