Toyota tacoma 2006 4 hi, 4 low or diff lockers don't work

I recently tried going into 4wd and nothing seems to be working the light just blinks and when I go to 4 low it beeps and doesn't engage. I took apart the aculator soldered the connections and tested the aculator seemed to work but when I put the aculator back on the truck still doesn't work?

 

Im assuming it's been awhile since 4wd got used in your truck? Read the Owners Manuel. It'll tell you the steps to get it engaged. Including going into reverse...

 

I’ll try it out and let you know.

 

Just tried it out it’s not working.

 

going through these issues myself

accept mine oddly enough didnt start malfuction issued until after my frame replacement.

 

This may, or may not be the problem. But the owners manual does suggest operating in 4X4 for about 10 miles/month. I don't get in 10 miles each and every month. Some months may only see 3-4 miles, some none, and others may see 500+ miles in 4X4. But I never let it go more than 2 months without engaging 4X4 for at least a few miles on a dirt or gravel road. If you don't do so moving parts don't get lubricated and grease and oil will harden not letting moving parts move where they are supposed to go. Also electrical components get wet from condensation from never being used. Even my winch owners manual says to pull out the cable once a month and reel it back in under load to prevent problems. If this is the case the front hubs may need to be taken apart, cleaned and relubed.

I made the mistake of not using 4X4 on a regular basis years ago on a Jeep Wrangler my wife normally drove. It wouldn't work one day when needed. It didn't need any new parts, just cleaning hardened grease off parts and re lubing them. That was almost 30 years ago. Never had any more problems since making sure 4X4 gets used regularly.

 

Are the dash lights working when you try to engage the 4x4

If not start with the fuse.

If they are, go under the truck and wiggle all the plugs the plug into the transfer case. One might be lose or corroded.

Same for the locker in the rear, there is an electrical connector that plugs into the rear diff at the top, give that plug a wiggle/unplug it and clean it. Plug it back in and give it a try.

If all that does not work you will need to unplug the trafercase and hook up a volt meter and see if you are getting any power out of the plugs.

 

I’ll give it a try and all the lights work on the dash I check all the fuses they seem to be fine.

 

It sort of sounds like you have some stuck solenoids. When was the last time the fluids were changed in the transfer case and the diffs? It might be time.

 

im willing to bet you need to clean the contacys of the position and limit switches.

 

so I tested 4wd today did alittle burn out in the grass to see if front wheels are spinning and only front right and rear right are spinning.

 

where is the position and limit switches located?

 

i don't really know maybe i should.

 

on the transfer case there are two limit switches side by side, and on the inside part of the pastic housing there is a leaf spring switch that has three tabs that can have the grease harden up on them over time.

 

If the front is spinning the 4wd is working, enguage the locker and both rear should spin, there is no locker in the front so either the right or left front will spin, depending on where power is going.

If you locker is not engaging like mention above clean out the electrical plug goin into the diff and refer to the manual to get the rear locked in.

 

Thanks I’ll do that

 

But the light still blinks so it’s telling me it’s not fully engaged?

 

The 4wd sometimes doesn't want to engage at low speeds, the light just flashes. If you give it a little extra throttle it should engage. Sometimes you can get them to engage by turning the wheel back and forth a little will driving with it engaged.

 

As stated above...if your front wheel is spinning you are in 4 wheel drive. 4wd doesnt mean all 4 wheels will spin. Someone on here posted the best info a while back but cant remember who it was.....

2wd is really 1 wheel drive
4wd is really 2 wheel drive (one in the front and one in the rear)
4wd + rear locker is really 3 wheel drive (2 rear and one front)
4wd + front and rear locker engaged is a true 4 wheel drive. (all 4 wheels receive power)

 

Also....just saw this thread pop up.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-light-keeping-flashing.610542/