4wd flashing. Not engaging. Where do I begin?

I recently bought this truck because of the low miles and looked like a great toy/project. They guy I bought it from said he got it from a guy in a small town (probably off roaded quite a bit). He said he got it and it was locked in 4low then he has his mechanic get it back into 2wd (which it seems like it’s in 4hi). That’s when I got it, do you think they could of taken the actuators out and messed up the clocking off the actuators possibly? It is unlikely to be the switch due to the readings?

 

That is definitely possible, the Transfer Case Actuator is especially easy to get mis-timed.
I have pictures of where the contacts should line up in each position in the thread I posted.

If your refering to the 4wd switch on the dash no that wouldn't cause the limit switch readings we have, the 4wd switches rarely fail. We have to verify actuator timing before continuing since we know someone has been messing with them.

 

How do I clock the front axle actuator? And the transfer case should I just clock it so that it’s in 2wd?

 

I don't think the ADD timing can get messed up unless someone took it completely apart, I'd lean more toward the contacts being messed up inside. @6 gearT444E your thoughts on this?

Transfer Actuator Timing: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-operation-help-thread.742420/page-29#post-28446265

 

I did the timing on transfer case actuator and it’s correct now, I checked the two sensors on the t-case and they are still both showing 11.5… is it possible for me to just play with the t-case actuator and the front driveline should free up? At this point I just want it out of 4wd until I can pinpoint the issue

 

unless somehow it's put back together almost 180* out of phase I don't see how that can occur, there is and end limit of the spur gear so if for some reason it was mistimed severly and that gear is not deisengaging it can happen. An easy way to tell would just be to take it apart of the housing, unlocked should be all the way to the passenger side, locked is towards the front differential (driver side)

 

Where does the limit switch get it’s information from? The front actuator? I just want to get it in 2wd, it’s weird I pulled the t case actuator out and clocked it all the way counterclockwise and it’s still locked in 4wd

 

Also you wouldn’t think that I gotta clock the t case actuator to be aligned with the front actuator right? Like I said I got the transfer actuator rotated all the way counterclockwise which should be 2wd and the front may still be in 4wd

 

They aren't timed to themselves, they are two separate entities. The 4wd ECU is what interprets the feedback signals.

 

There's 2 limit switches (DL1 & DL2) and one detection switch (ADD) in the ADD Actuator and 3 limit switches (TL1, TL2, & TL3) and two detection switches (4WD & L4) in the Transfer Case Actuator.
The limit switches tell the 4wd ECU where the actuator motors are and the detection switches tell it the mechanical position of the Transfer Case and ADD.
Since ADD is at 0v that tells me the front axle is locked in.

 

Is there a east way to pinpoint if the problem is in the t case or front?

 

There's definitely a problem in the ADD or wiring to it since both DL1 and DL2 are at 12v and we know the front axle is locked in since ADD is at 0v.

 

Okay, screw me I just took the actuator off the transfer case (good thing it’s cake). I ordered a new front actuator the other day that is supposed to get here tomorrow already.. so I probably need to clock the transfer case actuator again but where should I clock it? In the 4wd spot? 4hi?

 

The transfer actuator is what’s locking me in 4wd though right? Like forget the front one for a minute, the transfer actuator is my problem on driving it in 2wd at the moment?

 

I'd put it fully counterclockwise (2wd) and line up the contacts in the 2wd position like shown in the post I linked above.

I'm pretty sure the ADD is locked in, thus why you can't turn the front driveshaft. I bet if you raise a front tire off the ground you can turn it and the front driveshaft will turn.

 

Let me look at my old posts, someone actually explained to me how to hand push the transfer case into 2hi....

 

push the rod all the way forward

 

2h is the shift rod all the way in on the transfer case or rotating the gear as far clockwise as it will go.

 

Yes, thanks.

 

I got the truck in 2wd and I got the actuator out of the front, is there a good way to test this one? I already ordered a new one but I want to still pinpoint this issue. Thanks guys!