4HI-4LO not working?!?!?

I have an 09 Tacoma trd sport. It ha 147k miles on it and took it off road last week and kept it in 2wd until I needed the 4wd. I came to a stop and tried to switch it in 4hi and the indicator light on the dash just kept flashing but never came solid and the 4wd wouldn't kick in. When I tried to switch it into 4Lo it started making an annoying buzzing sound. Anyone have any idea what could be wrong? There happen to any of y'all? If so, what did you do to fix it?

 

Have you ever had it in 4wd before? Do you know the trans must be in neutral for it to shift to 4Lo?

 

I have a 2011 4x4. And yeah same thing happend to me while wheeling. Take your Manule out and look for you 4hi-4lo section. Read it carefully and fallow every step. BUT LET THE COMPUTER RESET FIRST

 

When was the last time you tried to engage prior to last week.

Sometimes the systems are a bit finicky. Did you have the truck in neutral when you tried to engage 4lo?

 

I had it in 4wd the weekend before and everything was fine. I always put it in neutral and switch it in. I looked at the manual and followed it step by step and it said when you put it in 4lo and it starts buzzing then repeat the process and it just never worked. Earlier last week I was driving down the road and the switch was was pointed to 2hi and I'm going 45mpg in town and my 4wd light starts flashing on the dash. I stopped out in neutral shifted to 4hi then back to 2wd and it went ago.

 

OBD ll scan

 

Will a code come up even if the light doesn't stay on?

 

Have you tried it since? While no wheeling? Does it work right now?

 

Yeah I've tried it just sitting in the drive way and it does the same thing. Just blinks but won't kick in

 

Did you let the truck move at all while flashing?

 

Was gonna be my next question, try to engage while driving slowly?

 

Ok I'll try that when I get home and let you guys know. Thanks.

 

Mine rarely engages until I move a few feet. It'll flash and then you'll feel it engage.

 

A code should come up if anything is wrong

 

As others said you need to be in neutral for 4lo.

IIRC the truck has to be able to engage 4hi before you can engage 4lo.
So if you can't get into 4hi you won't be able to get 4lo either.

 

2Hi to 4hi can be done at up to 60mph... and actually will shift into 4HI easier if you are moving 10mph+.

4hi to 4lo you MUST best under 3mph (in neutral for auto, or clutch ALL the way pushed in for the manual) to go to 4lo.

 

Yup, what Jarv said.

I have the same issue with my 05 automatic. Try switching from 2Hi into 4Hi while moving. Also try turning the wheel left and right. Other members have said that it's good to drive roughly 10 miles per month in 4WD so that the system stays lubed. I pop mine in 4wd every now and then, and I haven't as many issues as when I first got the truck.

Otherwise, there is a pretty common actuator issue. If all else fails, check it out here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-trouble-shoot-4x4-actuator.263525/#post-6450282

 

I've tried everything. Sounds like I'll be working on the truck tomorrow. Doesn't seem that hard to get to the actuator

 

That might be your problem... you stopped. Try going from 2wd to 4hi while moving straight. The only time you need to be at a complete stop (and in neutral or the clutch depressed) is going from 4hi to 4lo.

 

Front wheels need to be straight to get the 4wd to engage. That has been the only issue I have ever had.