Effing 4X4 light

So I got stuck in some deep soupy mud and when I got yanked out the left cv axle became completely un-assed and is now multiple pieces. I replaced the axle but now the 4X4 light is blinking and it wont go into 4X4 and the traction control doesn’t work. I’m guessing that a sensor got damaged in the mud too. Does that sound like a reasonable place to start?
I have broken axles before and never had it do this before

 

You could have damaged the ADD in the front axle, gotten water in one or both of the actuators if the vent hoses are rotted or disconnected, or broken some wires.

I'd give everything a good visual inspection, if you don't find anything obvious see the thread below for steps to check the limit switch voltages and see what's going on.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-operation-help-thread.742420/

 

I understand the diff breather is in a crappy location and if you get stuck in deep mud/water with a hot diff it can suck water into it as it cools gumming up the lot...
I could be way off but thought I might mention it just in case.
there is a mod somewhere for this involving a couple wrenches and a bit of hose.

 

Thanks gents, that gives me a place to start.

 

Any progress?

 

It ended up being the actuator for the front dif. It needed soldered but now the light is out but still no 4x4. I'm not sure if I got the fork put back in the right place or if there is something else wrong with it. I am waiting for the snow to quit long enough to take it apart again and figure it out.

 

So the weather finally settled down and I got everything torn apart and put back together and here’s what I have now. With the switch in 2H and you switch to 4H the actuators on both the front differential and the transfer case move and the ecu ecm or whatever we are calling it under the dash clicks. It doesn’t engage the 4x4 and the green 4x4 light comes on. Switch it back to 2H and shut it off and the lights go out. I’m wondering if there is something else broken somewhere in the differential? This all happened when I got stuck and the Neanderthal who pulled me out managed to get me airborne via his throttle. The passenger side cv axle was ripped out of the differential. It was an aftermarket axle and probably about the same shit quality as OEM and I replaced it and didn’t think there way anything more to it but now I’m wondering if the diff is fucked up.

 

So your 4wd light goes solid but you have no 4wd?

If that's the case then you need to jack up the front end and see what's not engaged.

 

The light blinks when I switch into 4H.


I just went out and clicked it into 4H and pulled onto the street and the axle I just replaced snapped. There’s gotta be something wrong in the differential.

 

The rear breather is on the diff. If you go into water or mud deeper than the top of your rear diif, then a good chance the fluid is contaminated. Happened to me when my truck was only a few months old. Changed the diff oil and did the Rear Diff Breather Mod. Link to my photo-instructions is in my signature below my posts. The front diff and ADD breathers are fine. They are both up high by the battery.

My Differential Breather Mod Photos: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/111954-my-differential-breather-mod-photos.html

 

Where did it snap? Pics?

A problem in the diff shouldn't snap an axle, something else must be out of whack or it was a shitty axle.

 

It broke at the inside joint. I’ll post a picture tomorrow when the sun is up