4X4 Problem...

Hello everyone. I have a 2007 TRD Sport Tacoma (Access Cab) and I am having problems with my 4X4. First, the 4x4 indicator light is flashing on the dash. Second, it will not go on 4x4 unless I turn the switch and then restart the truck with the switch on the position I want it to go to (4Hi or 4Lo). Then, when it does go to 4, the 4Hi still leaves the light indicator flashing. Then, when I switch to 4Low, it beeps but the truck is still on 4Hi. It also doesn't disengage the 4x4 very easy. I have 70,000 miles on the truck and the only thing I had to do on it was the clutch. I do wheel it a lot and often have to use the 4x4. Does anyone know what might be going on? The best part is when I took it to the Toyota dealership, nobody could figure it out and I basically paid $150 of diagnostic fees for nothing. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and have a great day. God bless...

 

I have never messed with an ADD before. Is it something that I can replace myself? Do I need to get a whole new transfer case? Also, what did you mean by watching the front drive shaft? Will I see it jerk or something?

 

Do you know if there is any oil in transfer case or front diff ?

 

There was last time I checked it which was right when it happened. It switches to it but I have to turn the truck off first and then on but it only goes 4Hi even with 4Lo annoyingly beeps.

 

My brand new one was doing the same thing one day it refused to come out of 4 low blinking lights buzzer the whole 9 yards. I jacked it up wheels off the ground still would not come out finally disconnected the battery hooked it back up turn on the key and it came right out never moved it never started the engine. Took it to the dealer they called Toyota they gave me a list of things Toyota had them check bottom line they could not get it to lock up. I drove it around in their parking lot tried to get it to screw up and it has worked flawlessly ever since. I have no ideal if it will work for you but try disconnecting the battery and see what happens.

 

The instruction card in your sun visor must be followed exactly, and the one key thing that is sub-conciously missed is: to get into L4 you must STOP and then put the tranny into NEUTRAL (NOT PARK!)... The same goes for getting out of L4.

If yours isn't automatic, the clutch must be depressed all the way in.

 

He's been managing for 4 years without a problem

 

I am capable of reading and I understand how the transfer case works, despite all of Toyota's instructions both the manual and the sun visor it still would not go into 4 low I'm 6'1" and have pretty long legs so it's not from lack pushing in the clutch and once I did get it to go in it would not come out. Yeah it beeped all right no matter what position the switch was in I changed nothing as far as my operation and now it works perfectly I don't know why but suspect it needed to be exercised as it was pretty much brand new why it came out when I disconnected the battery is also any ones guess but there is more to it then just shifting the transfer case it's tied into the traction control also.

 

Not with the 6 spd you actually can be moving all be it very slowly like 2 mph least that's what Toyota says.

 

Me too but that is what they say so you don't need to use the brake with a 6 spd other wise you would be stopped.

 

2MPH and stopped are the same thing

 

I love Canadian logic!

 

try telling a cop that when you're "stopped" rolling thru a stop sign

 

Sorry Dr. Serious

 

Good point good thing I wasn't in a hurry.

 

Here's mine...I have a fluctuating grinding sound from the front passenger wheel when NOT in 4WD (regardless if in 4L or 4H). As soon as I engage 4WD...no grind. It's a fluctuating grind increasing with speed that seems like a single roller inside a bearing is gouging the race as it rotates, but it disappears after 4WD is engaged. So I doubt its a bearing issue..unless 4WD forces the wheel to line up in such a way that it relieves any excess pressure on the bearing...if that's even possible. Important to note, a few times a very loud bang was noticed when I disengaged 4WD. Another point (which may not apply but...), I notice it is very hard to make turns with 4WD engaged. I have to gas it more to keep the RPMs up to keep moving forward and not kill the engine unless I press the clutch in time, but then the truck locks up as if I hit the brakes. Its as if something is creating excess resistence. This may be a normal occurance with 4WD, but being this is my first 4WD ever... So, either way, its going into the shop soon. But any input I can get on this matter will help me explain my situation better to the dealership

 

Do not use 4 wheel drive on surfaces you have grip. No pavement. You will damage it if you haven't already.

 

The grinding sound is possibly a joint failure or brake pad wear indicator. Take it to mechanic for that issue.

The loud bang is normal, but I call it a 'thunk' sound. Let off on the gas rather than accelerate when going in or out of H4.

4WD is for low traction (slippery) conditions, do not use on DRY PAVEMENT. Turning on hard/ dry surfaces is not easy in 4WD because the front tires must rotate more than the back tires in a turn... and 4WD locks the front and back together, so steering would be hard if you were in 4WD and not on a surface that allows the tires to slip a bit in a turn.

Low Range (L4) is for slow crawling up grades when you need max. power to the tires to climb... or push through deep mud.

 

Its been multiple surfaces, but usually wet or slightly muddy...with the exception of trying to figure out why I was getting that noise. Thanks for the input, Drew and Dave

 

After several months and multiple trips to the dealer, come to find out there was a problem with the front differential. They claim to have found shavings inside. Other than that I couldn't get any other information. Most likely the result of the previous owner's abuse. For the record, I had never driven on dry pavement, only off road or gravel roads. I had never specified that, although it seemed like it was assumed.