4WD problem with 07 tacoma

So, before you tell me to solder my actuator connections, just one simple question. I get NO lights when turning the 4WD switch on the dash, happened overnight, poof, gone. This is a workhorse of a truck and has had the 4wd used more than not, on a regular basis working a tree farm. Toyota replaced the frame last August (2018). When they did, I bought new everything that was a moving part. Lower A arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, quick struts, CV axles, new rear springs came with the frame. I thought I was set for another ten years of hard use and now, POOF, GONE, OVERNIGHT. Everyone else describes the flashing light syndrome, which i have had in the past but it just went away by itself. So, with no light flashing, where is the starting point of diagnostics? Could it be as simple as the relay? Or do I need to tear my truck apart, lol.

 

I can't help, but this will bump your post back to the top where it will get more attention. I'll just comment that I miss the old days of a manually operated lever to engage 4wd. Getting 12-13 years of service isn't bad, but I still trust the older systems better. Good luck and I hope it is something simple. My Tacoma is the same age and could do the same soon.

 

I have a 2007 as well. I rely on 4wd a lot, and I'm talking about exotic off-roading - I'm talking about getting to my house in the winterr!. It's been working well so far, but I too would prefer the old manual way. With my old '64 Willys I had to get out and manually engage the front hubs, which was a bit of a pain in the ice and snow, but you knew the hubs were in. Then you used the shift lever to engage the front transfer case.

Come to think of it, turning a little knob on the dash to '4WD' is pretty nice. When it works...

 

If there was even a remote chance of needing 4X4 you locked the hubs before starting the truck and just shifted in and out of 4X4 as needed. It didn't hurt anything to drive with the hubs locked. You might get a little worse fuel mileage. Theoretically the hubs might wear out sooner, but you'd have to drive 30,000 miles with them locked. In fact early 4X4's didn't have locking hubs, they just stayed locked all the time. A better description would be unlocking hubs.

 

The old manual locking hubs would freeze and jam up. They were not without problems. Without a doubt the motorized or solenoid activation adds another layer of things to go wrong but also convenience.

 

Did leave the hubs locked for periods in winter As NC Rick says below, they could freeze/lock up, and be a real bear to lock/unlock...

 

Well, the mystery grows. Drove the truck to see family today, now remember, "POOF, GONE, OVERNIGHT" is how i described losing 4wd. I was on gravel road, so, just for the heck of it I turned the knob....................guess what, it worked. Now you might think this is great, not me, now it is one of the hardest things to detect. The DREADED GHOST FAILURE! I would rather have the tranny fall out, at least you know what's wrong.

 

Thats the key question,when it works.

 

You don't know it yet, but this is a good thing. Indicates an intermittent problem in the signal to activate the 4wd, rather than the actual mechanicals ($$$) of the 4wd. Bad connection, loose harness, bare wire, funky actuator, etc. Get it to a trusted independent shop for a diagnosis if your not into DIY.