2nd GEN 4WD help!

Hey all! Long time listener first time caller. I've read up on several threads on the forum trying to understand the blinking 4lo light I have while trying to engage. I just wanted to ask if anyone had tips, links or a better understanding than I do about this problem. Of course, I found that my 4WD is out after a 1/4" of ice and 3" of snow. I'm in need and want to try to get under the truck this weekend if I can make it back home.

Variables I do know:
I have tried the 4WD in drive, in motion, in neutral, etc..
THE FRONT WHEELS WILL NOT ENGAGE
I haven't heard anything from under the truck, solenoids, motors etc. But also, that is me in a running truck in the cab. So it will definitely need a closer look or hear.
Also last year I did have some rear end work, I had a leaking seal. Which took the shop several times to seal up. The truck is at 200k miles. I'm not sure when the front diff or T case has seen a fluid changed.

I'm seeing the front diff actuator motor/solder fix, what else is in the system to trouble shoot?

 

Could you clarify what you are doing when you go into 4 LO? Normally I go into 4 HI, make sure my wheels are straight, go into 1st gear (manual), and go ~2-3 mph to engage it.

 

PARK IN sand or lawn and try it, or dirt road

 

It is the 4lo ight which is blinking. When I try to put the truck in 4WD high or low. I have zero 4WD. 4WD lo light blinks on the dash when I turn the selector switch to 4WD high. In any case, situation or option of driving, at a stand still etc. The front wheel s will not engage. After the switch is returned to 2WD the dash light continues to flash until the truck is turned off. Next start with the switch in the 2WD selection. no light on the dash.

 

I have a gravel drive. front wheels do not engage. thanks

 

4wd System Operation & Help Thread | Tacoma World

 

try to engage the systems (4h/4Lo) while in nuetral

 

Thanks I'll try again at greater speed. I've owned this truck for about 5 years now. I could be going crazy, but I feel like I know how to put it in 4WD. This doesn't explain the reason why the 4 lo flashing light comes on when in "H4". So far this thread is going great! lol

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

Would be handy if you can get someone else to listen for actuation while you attempt it again. Hopefully it's not seized, potential with that mileage if it hasn't had normal operation / fluid changes.

 

Crawl under your truck and see if your breather tube (looks like a vacuum line) is still connected to the transfer case actuator. Please let us know what you find.

 

check above link if you found this in the system search. Loads of info on the matter. For me. After unsuccessfully attempting to get into 4H or 4L I made the trip hime in 5” of snow. Thankfully made it. Maybe the aggressive tires I have helped. But I could not make it up my drive. I tried the processes again and low and behold. Thunk, 4Low! Made it up the drive and played with the switch and tracked my drive out for about 5 minutes. It worked flawlessly. From 4low to 4 high to 2wd then back to 4 high and back to 2wd. I’m guessing I need to pull the transfer case actuator and inspect, clean or replace. Check grounds and make sure that vacuum tube is good. Thanks all

 

If you don't use it, you lose it. While this may not be your problem, I've seen multiple cases of 4X4 vehicles that hadn't been used in 4X4 for months. The grease inside the locking hubs hardens from non-use to the point where the internal parts can no longer move to lock the hubs. Your transfer case will engage, but with the hubs unlocked they get no power. In the past all that was needed was to break down the hubs, clean out all of the old grease, re-lube, and reassemble.

You may have a different issue, but I've seen this happen several times over the years.

 

I admit I don't need my 4-wheel low so I haven't used it. I try and put in 4-wheel high on occasion during the summer months so when I need it in the winter it works. This past summer I felt a little sheepishly for not using it and started to try and put it in 4-wheel low when I was on a straight section of the street near home. At first, it was a struggle to get it engaged and disengaged, but the more I used it the easier it was to get in and out of 4-wheel low. The warmer the drive train was the easier it went in and out. It still takes a bit to get it in and out, but it is getting easier. Like "Marshall R.", said use it or lose it.

 

Try to do the "exercise" routine more often whenever you can. I like to warm the truck up for a minute or so in the driveway before I head out: esp this time of year. At least once a week when I think of of it, I do the 2H-4H-4L and back routine once or twice. The more repeats I do the quieter it becomes. I also try to engage 4H the rain on wet or snowy roads for a mile or two if I can. The last engage and clunk of 4L is always much quieter than the first. Sometimes it needs a little creep forward or back to complete the 4L shift.

 

I went through the exercise this evening on the way home from a dance. I was already in 4-high as the roads we were on had been slippery all day. When I turned onto the street we live on, I stopped and put it in 4-low. It went in easy, but when I stopped to take it out, it took a couple of tries. It's better than it's been, at least it will lock in and come out without too much trouble.
I will say my transfer case and front and rear differentials have synthetic gear oil.

 

I do the routine in the driveway which has a very slight incline. If the 4L shift in or out is delayed/balky, I let the truck creep a little forward or back and it always completes quickly, and a repeat is quick without another move. It (fork) makes a lot less noise too.

 

We dont have locking hubs. We have actuators

 

Yeap.
Our hubs are always locked.