4wd flashing HELP!

My 4wd light is flashing on my gauge cluster. I'm pretty sure its not letting me shift into 4wd but i can't really tell. It's a certified used car, and they said there is no way that it could be an actual mechanical problem as far as the transfer case and what not. It's an 06 with 58,000 miles on it, Automatic. Any ideas? Anyone else have this problem? Please help.

Thanks guys, I'm new so I appreciate any help.

UPDATE ON PAGE 2!!!

 

Go back and read the manual and make sure you are doing everything it says. The actuators can be kind finicky and if it hasn't been used in a while it might even be a bit sticky.

If it's just flashing tho- It's not engaging. Make sure you are doing the shift procedure right and go from there....

 

Ok i will go back and try again, but i've read and tried a bunch of times.

cmack: I'm not sure if i'm stuck in 2hi or 4hi. I can switch it from 2hi to 4hi but i dont notice a difference in ride, and the light continues to flash.

does anyone think maybe unplugging the battery for a little while and trying to reset it will help at all?

Thanks again for the quick responses guys.

 

Shifting from H2 to H4 should be easy as pie... on the fly... any speed to 60 mph. If you are parked, try moving... tires straight...

Shifting from H4 to L4 requires your to STOP... put the tranny into NEUTRAL (not park), then rotate the dial to L4... repeat to go back to H4.

 

Huh? Difference in ride? There is no ride difference in H4 over H2... only steering will be difficult if you are on firm ground or pavement (why you don't use 4WD on dry pavement as the front and back driveshafts are locked together, but they turn at different speeds.

In L4, your gearing is much lower, so your top speed is much reduced... You WILL know when you are in L4 (low range).

 

I'm shifting it the right way, and doing everything correct in that aspect. This is something that seems to be wrong with either the button, wiring, or electronics itself. I just got the truck today so I'm new to the whole thing, but I know I'm shifting right because the guy at the dealership tried shifting and could not do it either.

The light is flashing continuously so I feel like it's stuck in something, either 2hi or 4hi. When i go between the two I don't think it goes into either 4 or 2 wheel drive.

Has nobody else had this problem?

 

As I said, you would know if you are in 4WD on pavement, as it would be difficult to steer a tight turn. Flashing means it is NOT in 4WD, anyway... It goes on solid when you are in 4WD. Rotate the dial back to H2, the flashing should stop... does it? You are in 2WD... Now, repeat... while driving STRAIGHT, rotate to H4... You may hear a 'clunk' and then the light goes on solid and you are in H4. Blinking indicates the switch to 4WD failed, and for you to try again. (You said button, you do mean 'dial', right?) The 'button' (if equipped) is for the Rear Locker... that is another thing altogether... and only works in L4, okay?

 

Not entirely sure, but I assume the transfer case is shifted from 2 to 4hi via electric solenoid. If you can locate it and give it a few light taps with a hammer, or something similar, you might be able to free it up. And let me stress on the "light" taps.

 

so we can shift into 4hi on the fly? I've always stopped went Neutral, then drove.... but on the fly is tight if we can

 

Like Brunes said, if you read the owners manual correctly and tried it by the book then, it sounds like the OP may have a bad 4wd actuator.

 

Yep. 4Lo is the only one you have to come to a stop to engage. 4Hi should work fine while moving. I do it all the time.

 

YES you can, and should as soon as possible!

Do you have the card in the sun visor pocket, driver's side OR an owner's manual?

 

Yes, I did mean dial. Sorry. I've tried it all and it's looking like I'm gonna end up taking it to a dealer and having them look at it.

Memario, thanks for the offer man! I'm gonna call you here soon and see if maybe you have an easy fix that i'd be comfortable with.

Thanks for all the help guys/gals. very good community here, i love it.

 

Okay... then get it to the dealership!

Here is the info card in the sun visor from my 2010 Tacoma... for getting into and out of 4WD (H4, L4)... and a note on the VSC does not work in L4, but does in H2 and H4:

 

I never tried driving in reverse then trying to shift into 4Hi. Could that work??

I've tried at a stop, accelerating, and decelerating though.

 

Toyota was dumb for even putting in a stupid button for the 4 wheel drive. Should have stayed with the old school shifter.

 

Yes it will work. While shifting into 4Hi it does not matter what position the transmission is in. The gears must align for the 4wd actuator to actually engage, sometimes turning the steering wheel to the left or right will do the trick.

With the gears perfectly aligned I can put my truck into 4wd without moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttPUtZl5QzY

To me it seems that there is something wrong and your truck needs to be diagnosed.

 

get under the fron differential and check the actuator. Mine was full of mud and doing the same thing, once it was replaced it worked perfectly.

quote=cgs2k2;1692670]I'm shifting it the right way, and doing everything correct in that aspect. This is something that seems to be wrong with either the button, wiring, or electronics itself. I just got the truck today so I'm new to the whole thing, but I know I'm shifting right because the guy at the dealership tried shifting and could not do it either.

The light is flashing continuously so I feel like it's stuck in something, either 2hi or 4hi. When i go between the two I don't think it goes into either 4 or 2 wheel drive.

Has nobody else had this problem?[/quote]