Tacoma World saves the day.

So I just had my 2 week old Taco malfunction while off road. I was stuck in some soft deep snow, and 4Hi wasn't getting me out so I switched into 4Lo and got out. Then, no matter what I did I could not get it to switch back into 4Hi which was a problem because I was 60km's away from home via highway. I didn't even have a wrench with me that I could remove the battery cable (that wont happen again) so I was a bit screwed. Then, I remembered reading a thread here last week from someone informing people how to turn off the maintenance required light. I did that reset, turned the truck off again, switched to 2Hi and sure enough, everything was back to normal. Thanks Tacoma World!

Anyone else ever have this problem? I can only find one other thread on it. The only thing Im afraid of now is that the ECU reset would have also erased any trouble codes, and Toyota will have no way of finding out what happened.

 

maintenance required light is different than the check engine light, you shouldn't have erased any codes, you just reset your (change oil reminder) light.

 

I'm thinking the reset probably was coincidental. Still, I hope you figure out the deal, especially since it sounds like we have the same trd sport 4x4..

 

Hmmm, sounds like you guys are right in that it was coincidental. I have an appt on Thursday at Toyota. Will see what they say.

 

So you couldn't get it out of 4LO? I've had that happen ... or have that appear to happen. What I've found is if I stop, drop in neutral, switch to 4HI (or 2HI) FROM 4LO, it will stay in 4LO until I switch into gear, and drive forward (or backward) some - it may be 50-100 feet or more - and then it shifts out on it's own. My e-locker is the same way ..

 

Yeah I have a manual trans. Tried every combination but it just wouldn't come out of 4Lo. If I put the switch in any other configuration, 4Hi or 2Hi, reverse, forward, no matter what I did it would just beep at me and stay in Lo. I ended up driving for 20 k or so until I finally turned the truck off again, switched to 2Hi and when I turned it back on it finally came out. If that didn't work, I was calling roadside assistance.

 

I have a 2013 TRD off road, and I found that at first (first 15-20 trys) the 2-hi, 4 hi, 4 lo switch to 2-3 times to activate/de-activate but as I use it more (I go off road 1-2 times per week) it gets more and more reliable, now it generally works first time every time. It still hangs up some of the time, but usually cycling the switch and no further action will result in proper operation.

I'm thinking that for reliable operation of the 4wd system it should be used more than once a month. I generally poke it into diff lock as well as it seems to be responding similarly to use.

 

Thanks man, hardly seems normal to me though. I mean, should it not just work? Sounds like we might have some sort of faulty switch or solonoid or something.

 

I have a 12 6spd offroad. Looking back I think I was impatient. Mine seemed particular at first. Acted weird. You have to be completely stopped. I find that it helps if your wheels are heading straight as opposed to in a turn and usually put a little preasure or take it off of the driveline helps.

 

I think some of the mechanics get stiff with disuse. As I use the system more it seems to work better. Have you been using yours regularly?

 

Have only had the truck for 2 weeks. Through it into 4lo when I first got it to make sure it engaged but that was it.

I have a question for you guys though...Whats with the beeping? Is it supposed to beep all the time it is in 4lo? Or is that just for when it is engaging. This time, when it was stuck in 4lo, it only beeped when the switch was in any other position (4h or 2h) but stopped beeping in 4lo. Previously, it seemed to me that it beeped whenever it was in 4lo, but I only had that one time to go on.

 

It beeps when it is not doing what the switch is telling it to do. If the switch is set for 4 LO and is beeping, you are not engaged in 4 LO. And just the opposite when setting it to disengage,beeping means you are still locked in.

 

I agree with usage brand new mind did the same shit the only way I was able to get it out was to disconnect the battery. I can tell you with a 6 spd you really have to mat the clutch and if you have a aftermarket floor mat that maybe enough to not let the clutch switch work. After awhile every thing worked fine and has for the last 30K and I do use it a lot.

 

This is such a great use of all of the extra cup holders!! why didn't I think of that

 

Full of Win.

 

Owned my 2012 for 13 months and 18,000 miles now. Never had s problem engaging or disengaging 4 hi ,4low or2wd. I say user error.

Plus, OP, 4low is for creeping, not getting unstuck from snow.

 

There's an electrical interlock that requires you to press the clutch pedal ALL the way down. Make sure you don't have a floor mat or floorliner that limits clutch pedal travel. Turning the ignition off and on again may have caused a signal change in the clutch pedal switch that accomplished the same thing.

 

meh, mine looks better

 

not like there arent 8 other cup holders to use in a manual access cab. losing one aint gonna kill anyone

 

My old Toyota pickup had a sticker inside that said the 4wd should be used at least once a month to keep it operating correctly. Granted it wasn't electrical, but it keeps things from seizing up.