Stuck in low range(not in 4x4)

New member here, as well as my first tacoma. I've been using this forum a lot recently trying to bring new life to my new to me project. It's a 2001 Tacoma SR5 TRD with the 3.4l V6, and A340F transmission. I was told it wasn't shifting into overdrive but upon the test drive the shifting was very uprupt and torque(y). I also only had gears 1-3. It felt like it was in 4 low without the front axle engaged. I ran codes and got the P0770 code for a shift solenoid and decided to replace all 3 with factory oem parts, replaced the filter screen, and added new type 4 toyota fluid. The problem still occurred. I moved to the transfer case by removing center console and made sure the shifting forks or rods were working properly. They needed some finesse but I got them to move freely like they should and put it all back together. I should note here that in 2HI it feels like 2LO, in 4HI is feels like 4LO, and 4LO feels like 4LO. With 2HI no activation of the front driveshaft/axle is happening. And no dash light is on for 4wd. My truck does have the factory locker installed and I'm wondering if it has something to do with that. I've read about the gray wire mod on here and wondered if some PO did it to this truck but there are no switches in the cab and the 4wd sensors on the tcase have nothing tapping off of them. Currently no codes are being thrown.

 

Welcome To TW...maybe somebody will chime in soon....

 

The grey wire mod usually doesn't result in buttons or switches. You'd have to open the driver side kick panel and see if they grounded the grey wire (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/grey-wire-mod.4405/)

I doubt that the grey wire mod would prevent you from switching out of low range. I'm more concerned that you've played with the transfer case shifting forks before performing other more basic steps. Usually, it's the actuators that need to be checked. You should have one on the xfer case (for push button) and one on the front diff stub shaft. Sometimes it's as simple as disconnecting the wires and cleaning the contacts. Other times you need to test the actuators themselves.

Which style of shifter do you have? Push button, or J shift?

When you say the front drive shaft isn't spinning, how did you test that?

 

I pulled the transfer case, opened it up, and the pin the that goes through the shifting rod was sheared off. New one installed and back in truck. Good as new.

It was in fact stuck in 4LO but was able to correct the shaft with the new pin.

 

Bastard of a job, good work fixing it and sharing the results.

 

No problem! It wasn't bad, I had my transfer case in my jeeps out plenty. Pretty much the same trans and t case in those so I knew it pretty well. Wish I took pictures