Front Diff Actuator @50K

My first major issue with the 3rd gen reared it's ugly head during this past snow storm here in NC. We got 12" which is pretty unusual and like I expected NC shut down. Not enough plows to keep the roads clear and it was pretty necessary for 4x4 for about 36 hours. Enough about the storm. I first noticed an issue this past summer attempting to engage 4x4 on really hot days. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but when the temps started to fall off the issued seemed to correct itself. Since about mid-Oct I haven't used 4x4 at all, but I tried it on Sunday to make an emergency TP run. Truck went into 4x4 just fine and I drove to the store and got what I needed. After getting home I tried to disengage and got the blinking 4x4 light on the dash. Here we go again! This time it was stuck in 4x4 and would not come out no matter what I tried. Back and forth, on and off, nothing. Since the snow storm had the majority of people cancel their service calls at my local Toyota dealership I decided to take it in. They informed me the front differential actuator is bad and of course they didn't have one in stock. The bad part was they managed to get it out of 4x4 but could not get it back in, so I was stuck driving on sketchy roads home. Things have cleared up now and I'm good to go, other than another trip to the dealership later this week for an actuator replacement. Wish I had a mechanical stick instead of the electrical switch, this would have been a non-issue. Hopefully this fixes the issue indefinitely.

 

It sounds like they are taking care of you, which is always good to hear.

Just confirming that you were not doing the 10mi/mo of 4wd exercise?

There is a couple options that might help you.

I think this one would have tricked the system enough for at least the t case to disengage:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lock-stock-and-2wheel-low-3rd-gen-diy-mod.536677/
That said, you might have had a problem at the dealership?

Manual hubs:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/free-wheel-hub-conversion-3rd-gen.513930/
Manual. Freaking. Hubs!

 

Happened to me on my 2002 at 98k miles!i they must like to repair them .same shit I guess! Not good.

 

They are taking care of me, so that's good news for sure. It's covered under the 60K drivetrain warranty.

In regards to the 4x4 exercise, I can't say that I did. I probably averaged over that though in the time that I've owned it.

 

I wish the bumper to bumper warranty matched the power train. Good stuff though.

Thank for the info. I had a straight, low speed road at my old job that I could flip it on once a week or so. My new place is basically a freeway commute, so I'm slacking off.

Good luck with the fix.

 

doesn't the vehicle need to be moving to engage and disengage the 4x4 ? I know the manual says to engage 4h while vehicle is moving .If I use the 4x4 I turn it off before I park it . wonder if that causes damage if u park it in 4x4 .that's my thought might be wrong .

 

I'm dropping mine off at the dealership tomorrow for the below error. I'm at less than 5K miles and haven't even used 4wd in two weeks.

 

I never got that error, only the blinking 4x4 dash light. This seems more serious, but who knows, could be the same issue. I experienced no grinding or other symptoms, so I expect mine to be purely an electrical malfunction.

 

No and no.

You can get 4Hi to engage at a stop. It might be a bit buggy, but it will go in.

You can park in any mode. When you restart the motor, the 4wd ECU confirms that everything is at least where it was left.

 

The leads on the motor are a contact fit. Sometimes they get loose.

Sometimes it gets wet inside.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-trouble-shoot-4x4-actuator.263525/