2009 v6 4X4 intermittent problem

90 percent of the time, the 4X4 on my truck works flawlessly - 2 h - 4h - 4 low.

There have been occasions when I will be driving in 4 high (slippery road section) switch to 2 high and when I try to switch back into 4 high while driving, the 4X4 indicator light on the gauge doesn't go on and the truck won't go into 4 high. It seems the system is dead.

To once again enable any two wheel / four wheel switch on the fly, I have to stop the truck, turn it off and then start it up again. Upon restarting, the 4X4 gauge light flickers briefly and the 4X4 ECU makes a click sound - much as it does when you start up regularly. Everything returns to normal.

I can detect no pattern as to why it would stop working (speed, long drive, temperature etc.) and it gets at least 10 miles per month of driving in 4X4 to keep system lubed. No modifications or lifts to the truck.

Any clues to the cause would be appreciated!

 

Well, dealer couldn't find problem - not surprising as it is difficult to track down - just popping this up in case anyone had the same problem and may have stumbled on a solution? TIA

 

sounds like the classic slow actuator syndrome to me . Do a search and you will find many posts on the actuator assembly

 

That is weird. Mine had a real slight vibration I could feel on the steering wheel when I switched back to 2H from 4H a couple of days ago. Switched it back to 4H for a few miles and when I put it back on 2H the vibration went away. Some sort of glitch in the electronics maybe?

 

Bump for a solution, I'm having the same problem as you, except mine is more regular. When I start the truck,The four-wheel-drive will engage once and disengage once, But if I try to put it in 4wd a second time... No 4wd light, no sound, Nothing. I have to then turn my vehicle off and back on then I'm allowed to engage and disengage it one more time, ect...

Did you ever figure out what it was?

 

Yes, dealer who could be trusted said a $3,500.00 dollar repair to replace the transfer case actuator. 12 hours labour, $1,200.00 part. Now have an F150 on which 4X4 works flawlessly, ABS braking doesn't send me out into icy intersections, 4 wheel disk brakes, and a nice V8 engine (not a replacement V6 from a sports car turned into a truck engine) which gets the same gas mileage as the Tacoma 4.0 liter I used to have. This turn of events started when Toyota would not replace my burnt and melted daytime running lights for free when they had a recall - wanted $700.00. Decided at that point that it was time to look at other brands. Could not be happier with the new vehicle.

Not crowing...any vehicle build in North America using North American parts and sensors is no better and in some cases worse than others of the same ilk. They all have problems...the Tacoma I had did not have one minute of ownership when something was wrong with it. There are plenty that will say the same thing of their Ford or Chevy. Dodge owners are totally f'ed though......

I will add - there are two separate electrical circuits that enable the transfer case actuator - one from the ignition and one from the 4X4 dash switch which is why you can get into 4 high by turning on the truck when the dash switch won't do it. Also something about a misread limiter on the transfer case actuator.