4 wheel drive not engaging

Hi all, I've searched these forums and didn't find my issue/solution, so I decided to join and make a post. Awesome place you have here, hopefully at some point I will be able to contribute as so many here do...

I have a 98 SR5 4x4 with manual hubs and auto trans. The transfer case will shift back and forth from 2WH to 4WH while on the move, and I can feel the gears meshing, which means the hubs are locking and the front diff is spinning at the same speed as the transfer case. (I know this to be fact because i have tried to make this shift without the hubs being locked and it isn't possible)

What isn't happening is, normally after making the shift from 2WH to 4WH I would ease up on the gas to relieve pressure on the drive train and the connection between the transfer case and the front diff is made, then the 4WD light appears. Now at this point nothing happens, and I can't determine what makes this final connection mechanically happen, or what components have to be functioning to allow it to happen...

Any help will be appreciatted!

Ray

 

I had this problem with my 04, different part and system, but sounds like the same problem. If your hubs are locked, and your transfer case is shifted, and your not spinning your front wheels, the actuator that locks the differential/axle's so they spin is not working. This is the part number/info that I pulled from toyodiy.com, from what I assumed was your truck (98 V6 SR5 ExtraCab). Replace that and your 4wd should start working.

41400 ACTUATOR ASSY, DIFFERENTIAL VACUUM
41400‑35020 RZN161, 171, VZN160, 1701 $188.03

 

This is helpful since I recently bought my truck and discovered yesterday that the front drive is not engaging. I'll check the linkage and then the vacuum line to the actuator. It's an old, high mileage truck that I'm having to give quite a bit of TLC so I won't be surprised if I have to replace this part too.

 

I'm having a problem with my tacoma. when you shift into 4wd, it doesnt always engage. then randomly it will engage and the green light comes on. then if you shift it out of 4wd it may disengage but the light will stay on?? this morning it would engage and disengage fine(although the light stayed on) then as i was sitting in a parking lot i heard some clicking and the light went off but the clicking went on intermittently for a few minutes. i then checked the 4wd by engaging it and it went in and out fine and the light went off and on fine?? any suggestions what it could be? thanks

 

jjrob1, seems like you are having issues with the actuator.

In fact, mine is a mechanical engage (shift lever type) so there is no actuator. I ended up taking it my local shop, E&D Auto Care, and Eddie told me he thought either the chain in the TC was broken or something else with the engage was busted. I'm just going to put in a used replacement and scrap the broken TC. Too expensive to split open and start replacing internals.

 

Thanks, that was the problem. I had a new one put in and it works fine now..$650. My mechanic said he had never heard of a problem with them before. Is this unusual?

 

Note: The OP has manual hubs, so no ADD (automatic disconnecting differential)... unless the previous owner didn't remove the ADD when he put on the locking hubs???

 

I am the original owner. I don't often use the 4wd unless the roads are completely snow covered, not very often. Even then only a few miles over all.

 

Hey guys.. I tried to put my 2010 trd sport into 4 hi today and the light just keeps blinking no matter what I do. I use 4x4 pretty regularly.. used it for a few hours on saturday while wheeling, and have never had this problem before. It seems like the actuator is completely shot. Doesnt make any noise, and the 4x4 light keeps blinking no matter if i turn the switch back to 2. Tried driving forward, reverse, turning.. everything I can think of. Even got under the truck and lubed all the zerk fittings on the drive shafts and put dielectric grease on all the electrical connections on the actuator.

Anyone have any advise or similar issues? I have 25k miles on my truck and take REALLY good care of it. Pretty pissed that if I had 11k more miles on it I'd have to pay for it myself. 36k mile warranty is pretty shitty compared to most other car companies' 60k-100k warranty

 

^^ That may belong in the second gen forum.

 

dont swet it .take it back to the dealer thats why we buy new so we dont have to be our backs

 

whoops! didnt realize this was in the 1st gen forum

 

Drivetrain has a 60,000 mile warranty...

 

Yeah you are right. I just looked into it. bumper to bumper is 36,000 or 3 years, and drive train is 60,000. Thanks.
Still pretty surprised that there's already a major problem with it though. I bought it new to try to avoid things like this.