Stuck in 4WD. Maybe a bad actuator?

My truck is at the dealer now and wondering if anyone with a 2nd gen Tacoma has had this issue. A couple times over the last year, when driving in had rains with hydroplaning (these massive rain events we have here in Louisiana), my truck would engage into 4WD but would not disengage. Its not a binding issue as I not only had plenty of slippage, but I would pull over into the grass or gravel ensure there was no binding. It would later disengage, of its own choosing, and not sure how or when, sometimes the next day. I tried disengaging in gear, in neutral, and in reverse.

This past week brought it to the dealer, They engaged it and sure enough, we could not get it to disengage. It being completely dry and sunny out, I left it with them rather than drive on it on dry pavement, and they are looking into it.

The 4H indicator simply flashes. When I switch from 2WD to 4H I wear what sounds like a shorting relay in the glove box area, under the dash. I also noticed with a door open I could hear a similar sound under the vehicle on the right side, when turning the switch from 4H to 2WD.

Sometimes the 4H and 4L would both be on and flashing rapidly. Has anyone had this issue, or know what it might be, and what kind of repair cost I may be looking at, beyond the $350/week rental I am driving now?

Although it is currently engaged in 4WD, it definitely works. I don't think there is damage in the transfer casing, just a switching issue.

 

Sounds like classic case of a bad actuator to me.

 

Yes my original search turned up no results but now I see a couple threads about it. My dealer tapped it with a hammer and it disengaged and they said there is a fair amount of moisture and corrosion. A new actuator is $1500. Anyone ever clean theirs up? Or find a better price?

 

In the owners manual, it instructs you to drive forward a short distance, then reverse a short distance, then shift to neutral before changing the selector to 2H. After a few seconds, the 4LO warning light/horn should go off and the truck will be in 2H. Just had this happen with mine this morning. Owners Manual FTW!

 

Glad that worked out for you. That didn't work for me. Seems the actuator was stuck.

 

Read through this:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-trouble-shoot-4x4-actuator.263525/

Has everything you need to know in there