2wd to 4wd failure

So recently my 4 wheel drive was having problems engaging into 4 wheel drive, sometimes it would, and most of the time it wont. So I take it to my Toyota dealer to have it repaired under warranty, and I get a call that they won't work on it because a front locker was installed.

I've had a locker installed on the vehicle for several months now, and didn't have problems with it after install, but now the issue is happening. I believe it's the transfer case actuator and the locker has nothing to do with it. So my question is should I even bother with filing a claim with toyota?

 

Nope. Take it to the guy who installed the locker and see what he says. If it truly is something totally unrelated to the locker or ANYTHING THAT THE ADDITION OF A LOCKER COULD INFLUENCE, then you go to the dealer armed with correct information.

 

if you disconnect the front drive shaft and engage 4wd it still fails. unrelated to the front diff.
*edit* The 4wd works sometimes (rarely) even with the front drive shaft on.

 

What he is saying is that you need proof that having a front locker couldn't have caused the problem in the first place.

Maybe the front locker initially caused the problem, maybe not.

 

I see, will my installers word even matter?

 

Probably not.

 

That's what I thought.

 

It's going to be tough to fight this one with toyota.

 

Well, I called my installer which happened to be a service tech at the same dealer. He said he will give them a call and try to pull some strings with a couple people he knows there.

 

Sure, if it is backed up by factual content.

What won't work: "I installed all this off road crap and lockers too and now the 4WD won't engage."

What might work: "I just got back from XYZ shop and they fully inspected and documented my 4WD system. They went through the whole system and took pictures. They have determined that it is the bloovwhatch valve on the side of the transportational device that has failed. As you know the front locker in no way, shape or form has any connection to what is failing. Please inspect and replace under warranty."

Proper information and documentation is a powerful tool.

 

The burden of proof is on Toyota to PROVE that the locker caused the failure. Take a print out of the magnusson moss act to your dealer.

 

In the ideal world yes, but that's not how it actually plays out. If they say x aftermarket part is the cause of the problem it's now on you to prove otherwise.

 

No they stated they wanted 176 per hour to diagnose the problem, and if its NOT due to the locker, it will be covered under warranty.

 

The locker when unlocked functions 100% like a normal open differential so this wouldn't impact engagement of 4WD at all.

Pulling the front drive shaft is the ultimate test of course which points to the issue being either in the controls or in the transfer case

 

Someone understands how the system works ^
I never engage 4wd with the locker on. I engage the locker if 4wd isn't enough.

 

No. It does not work that way. If Toyota thinks it was the locker, someone has to prove that it is not the case.

 

I don't think it's a question at this point that the front locker isn't what is holding the transfer case from engaging. What Toyota is saying is that they are blaming the front locker for what ever initially cause the transfer case to no longer engage. What needs to be proved is that what ever the issue is couldn't have been caused from the install of a front locker.

 

It doesn't matter if anyone here understands anything. It is between you, the dealer, Toyota and the install shop. Not this forum.

YOU have to convince them, not us.

 

Did the installer have experience with the front 8” Actuator. My Installer said he has done over 1,000 Toyota diffs, and you have to be careful not to mess it up when taking it apart and when putting it back together.

I think you'll be paying for the fix unless it's obvious it's not caused by the Locker, or Locker install.

 

You don't really mess with the actuator to install the ARB locker, I think he means the Actuator for the ARB locker.