Stuck in 4h! Help!

I’m new to TW and was looking for help with my 16 Tacoma.
I switched into 4h a few days ago and it will not switch to 2h or 4L. The 4wd light will just flash if I try to switch out of 4h. I have read on here some threads with the same problem but haven’t found a solution that seems to match the problem.

Any help taco guru’s of the world?

 

Have ya tried driving it? Sometimes it needs the wheels turning to change back/forth.

Also, when was the last time 4H/4L was used?

 

Yep tried that. Back forth slow fast turning. All the above with some breaking. Nothing.

when I leave it in 4h and turn off the truck and turn it back on it stops flashing but as soon as I try to switch it flashes but does not switch.

is it ok to drive for a bit in 4h on pavement at about 80 kms?

 

You will need to be very careful driving on dry pavement if you cannot avoid it. Driveline binding can cause serious damage. Have you tried shifting it through different gears? Perhaps a little jarring could coerce it into shifting out. The actuator itself may be stuck.

 

Turn truck off and switch it to 2wd.

start it back up and should be out of 4Lo

 

Turn truck off and switch it to 2wd.

start it back up and should be out of 4Hi

 

I had a similar problem. Shifted to neutral, then took out of 4H. That finally worked.

 

Have tried all of the above and nothing yet.

Think it could be a fuse or sensor?

or maybe transfer case fluid is due for a change? It has 105 000 kms on it

 

A Transfer case issue probably wouldn’t just act suddenly like that.
I had an issue with my 4wd actuator, thats the solenoid underneath the truck that physically engages and disengages 4wd .
However, mine was backwards from your issue. For me, 4wd wouldn’t engage.. I had it replaced and all is well.
I think you said you tried to drive it in reverse a bit , sometimes that frees things up .

Driving on dry roads in 4wd is going to be dicey. Try to do that as little as possible until its fixed. Very low speed turns (parking) on dry pavement is also rough on the system. You will feel the truck binding and creaking so go easy.

 

OP it's recommended to put the truck in 4WD monthly to prevent actuators from ceasing up. Now I don't know if this is your problem or not but as stated it's more common not to be able to engage 4WD. Keep us updated. Also some good info here. Everything you need to know about the Toyota Tacoma 4WD system.

 

Interesting. Ok so could just be an actuator. I am guessing that would be a part from Toyota. Ill do some digging to find some more information on that.

when on pavement I really try to take my corners wide as possible to avoid to much binding. Also roads are wet and snowy for the most part here still so that helps.

We are living in eastern Canada so I pretty regularly use my 4wd in winter months( almost daily).

Thank you guys already for the support and help.

 

Good video btw Canadian Caber. I will be checking out more of his videos.

 

Water intrusion/corrosion into the 2(ADD and T.case) actuators is a real possibility; the ADD more so. They're not sealed well at all.
Or, damage to terminals if you've been plowing through snow...
Is the truck someplace it has a chance to thaw?

It's a methodical process to troubleshoot correctly and to avoid throwing parts at. @BigWhiteTRD is the guy I'd be asking.

 

If the 4x4 dash icon is flashing doesn't that mean that going into 4x4 is being attempted but as long as the flashing continues, then 4x4 has not been engaged? So I am thinking the problem is that 4x4 is not engaging.

 

Depends...
IIRC, there are two colors(amber or green) and two speeds of blinking that can aid in troubleshooting.

 

Have you tried to drive it in deep snow and see if the 4 hi is really on. If yes then try spinning the wheels and then stop and engage or disengage the 4 h to 2 h see what happens or even rocking it back and forth just saying.

 

Before writing long response, need to know how you are looking to proceed.

Do you need a short term solution quick?
Do you want to troubleshoot and fix fully?
Will it be you or somebody else doing work?

Access to techstream?
Comfortable with an ohhmeter?

 

I would like to troubleshoot and fix permanently. I can do the work myself and have access to the tools.

I don’t have access to techstream and don’t know what that is.(but now I want it haha)

I have access to a ohm meter and I will most likely be working on this with a friend who knows how to read and use it.

And yep I drove threw some deep snow just yesterday and at the same time tried to switch it to 2h. Nothing again

 

In that case

Here is where I would start
Do not remove any actuator.

First disconnect the ADD wiring connector and check the ADD signals against the tables in this post https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-actuator-troubleshooting-transfer-case-and-add.578262/

If they match ANY acceptable set of values (doesnt matter if it is 2hi or 4hi or in between), then we will move on the transfer actuator.
(While you are there take a look for physical damage to wiring or vent tube, etc).

If the ADD signals don't match an acceptable table value set, you could try to mess with the actuator before removing it. (This is only useful if somebody had just swapped out the actuator or something like that). Pretty much if it doesnt read right, remove the actuator to be replaced or repaired.

Else (ADD signals are good) we move on to the transfer actuator electrical check.

Note, some insulated electrical pins to slip in the connector help when trying to check resistance under the truck.

Let me know if you have any questions. Keep posting in this thread as you work thru it.

Good luck

 

Have you tried switching to 2WD and then disconnecting battery for maybe 5 minutes with door open? Might allow a reset to occur. Also, is it actually IN 4WD? Can you feel the wheels binds while turning? If it flasshing, I'm betting it never made the trip to engage but confirm that.