4WD Engagement

Greetings all! I introduced myself in a previous post, but to sum up, I have a new to me 2010 MGM Taco TRD Sport 4x4 Doublecab. I did a search for this problem, but really couldn't find it addressed, so I figured I'd ask. When driving, and I use the shifter dial to go from 2Hi to 4Hi, I hear the relay switch in the passenger side footwell click, the 4wd indicator starts flashing and I hear a slight clunk in the front end which sounds like the 4wd is engaged, but it's not, and the 4wd indicator light continues to flash. After a little bit of driving, accelerating and decelerating like the manual suggests, I switch back to 2wd, then try to go back to 4Hi. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes it engages on the first attempt. I've tried this also sitting still, with the same results. Now being a Jeep guy, I'm used to manualy shifting the transfer case and not having to have an actuator do it for me, so this is a somewhat of a new experience. My question is this: Is this normal? If it is, I'll deal with it and drive on. But to my way of thinking, if I'm sitting still, or driving, when I switch that dial to 4Hi it should engage, reliably, every time, no matter what. Now, I don't think the previous owner ever took it off road, and to that point I don't think the 4wd was ever used, and if it was, it was probably very little. With that said, Question#2: Are there actuator points, joints, or shift linkages that may need to be lubricated, and that's why I hear everything doing it's thing, but sometimes it engages, and sometimes it doesn't?

 

I’d recommend turning the steering wheel back and forth in addition to speeding up and slowing down.

 

do a search.......many threads discussing the issue

mine has acted weird from time to time

take it out in the dirt or snow & mess with it

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...r-t-case-actuator.358059/page-3#post-16799313

 

I think you have it figured out. At least that is my guess.

It is recommended that you shift into 4X4 for a few miles about once a month to keep everything lubricated. If the previous owner let it go for a long time without shifting into 4X4 this could be your problem. I had a Jeep do that once. The grease on the shaft that locked the hubs hardened and the hubs wouldn't consistently lock. The mechanic I used didn't need to replace anything. Just took it apart, cleaned and lubricated everything then it worked fine.

You MIGHT be able to get it into 4X4 and drive it for an extended time and get things working properly. Might need to break down and lubricate parts.

 

Very nice, I like this post.

 

use it...........

or lose it......

 

My truck was a bit like this when I first bought it. Thus, I've made it a point to shift into 4 Hi and 4 Lo every time the tires hit dirt, and it's not a problem anymore.

 

Thanks to all of you for the great replies! I guess at this point I have every excuse to go off road at every available moment!!