Can’t get out of 4 Hi or go into 4 Lo?

So I put my truck into 4 Hi to drive over a curb to hook up a trailer. Started to throw gravel, so put the truck into Neutral and engaged into 4 Lo to get over the curb. After hooking up the trailer I pulled forward and put it into Neutral, all of a sudden I hear what sounds like a bunch of gears trying to engage. Sounded like it was grinding, it then quits and notice that my 4 Wheel light starts blinking green. Figured it would quit after I try to back up and get out of 4 High. Light still blinks and I’m now stuck in 4 High, truck grabs every time it try to turn. Went down to my transfer case and unplugged and plugged it back in, hoping that would fix the problem. Still can’t hear the transfer case engage or hear the actuator at all. Didn’t do a thing. This is my daily commute, so any advice or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Been searching the internet with no real answer. Please help.

 

If it’s the transfer case that’s got you hung in 4H.
I think you could pull the screws out of the actuator cover then press the rod all the way in for 2H.
I think 3rd Gen Trans Case is the same as 2nd Gen.

Other than that, maybe wait and see what others say.
Maybe there is an easier way? But if you heard gears grinding.
It might have been the actuator gear?

And I mean the screws, not the bolts holding the whole unit on.
Just the plastic cover.
This would be my “last resort”. As you’ll probably throw of the gear timing in the actuator. But you should be in 2H IF it’s the transfer case that is “stuck”.

 

Still have warranty?

 

If you have jacks and jack stands available you might try (safely) getting all 4 wheels off the ground and then see if you can cycle the transfer case through the various modes.

Note: You need to have all wheels at full stop to engage 4 low.

 

If it's stuck in 4h it's the ADD in the front diff.


Paging @ShimStack and @BigWhiteTRD

 

I took OP for his word.
He says he doesn’t hear the Transfer case engaging. But he never said if he tried 4L either?

I guess if he could jack the truck up and tries to turn the front wheels.
If they turn freely, it is likely the ADD, if they don’t turn it’s likely the Transfer case.

Or, you could also grab the front driveshaft and achieve the same results.
If it won’t turn, it shouldn’t be the ADD, unless these truck won’t let the transfer case unlock until the ADD is unlocked?

Again, the front wheel need to off the ground.

 

This is a common occurrence on 3rd gens after actuator vent hose failure.
Water gets in actuator and corrodes the contacts. Some members have found hose disconnected, split in hose or plastic tube broken off/cracked where hose connects to actuator.
Close visual examination is required for diagnosis.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-actuator-troubleshooting-transfer-case-and-add.578262/

https://youtu.be/CLJY8mZ6GBA

 

Have you plugged actuators back in, pulled battery cable off, put dash dial in 2hi, reconnect battery, and turn on ignition?

Sounds like something got bound up during actuator operation, and system fail-safe'd to me.
I bet if you give the system a chance to reset, it will be fine.

 

I've read that the actuators can sieze if they aren't used on a regular basis.

 

Hope this never happens to my Taco. I ususaly put mine in 4h then 4 L once every 2 week just to keep everything lubricated. Been doing this on all my Tacos 1, 2 and 3rd generation and never had any issues. I did tow in 4L and 4 H many times.

 

Makes good sense to me!

 

The manual states it as well.



Every 4x vehicle I’ve ever had has stated something similar for monthly operation.

 

Oohhhhh...good advice.

 

Oh! I am only suppose to do this once a month lol. Still does not matter how many times or miles you do it as long as you practice to do that then you will not have issues with the 4 x 4 components freezing up or jamming. .

 

@brkncly , you ever fix? Having similar issues.