04 Tacoma 4WD not working

Hi guys,

I just recently bought a 2004 Tacoma V6 with push button 4WD and for whatever reason it don’t work when I press it. No indicator lights, no actuator sound, nothing still free wheeling on front.

So far what I did to try to make it work is tap the t-case actuator couple times, check the continuity on the shift lever button which is good, and check the fuses.

I don’t know how to check voltages on the connections where the actuators is but I’m getting nothing but I may have been doing it wrong since I’m clueless when it comes to wiring. I also want to know where the 4WD module or ecu.

Also my rear diff lock don’t work, no indicator lights when push. I’m not sure if the 4WD needed to work in order for the rear diff lock to work.

I’ll deeply appreciate all the response I will get. I’m hoping that I have a bad actuator than having bad wiring.

 

I have this happen on occasion and it is from a corroded connector that I keep cleaning. The diff lock only engages when it is in 4low, so that is most likely affecting it. Unless you have done the gray wire mod, doesn't sound like you have. Check your connectors. The one I have issues with is on the actuator on the diff. Not sure if this helps much.

 

We just went through this as well. Picked up a 2002 TRD that had been sitting for a few years. Discovered that the transfer case actuator was working (a common problem that a number of the threads cover) but the rod going into the tcase that the actuator moves was frozen. We removed the actuator and tapped gently on the rod with a soft dead blow hammer while rocking the truck and got it moving. The rod going into the tcase should be movable by hand as the actuator is not that strong. The actuator has to be installed in a specific way so that the sensor knows your in 2nd or 4wd. That proper clocking is also searchable on this amazing forum.

 

I’ve had a similar issue after diving though some deep puddles with the vent tube unknowingly disconnected at the front diff actuator. It let some water/mud in that eventually gummed up the little electric motor that engages the diff. Pain to figure out but was able to pull apart the actuator and the little electric motor inside. It can be pulled apart, cleaned up, relubricated and reused. (Designed before everything became tiny and unworkable i guess). It’s been working well for the last 2 years since. Better than replacing the actuator which is several thousand from what i remember. Only cost the price of replacing a the diff oil. Can be removed from the front diff without removing the diff itself.

Rear diff lock will only engage in 4wd low, fyi.

Good luck!

 

I remember quite a while ago (2009 maybe?) my rear diff was stuck in locked. I was able to jumper the actuator directly to unlock it by removing the connector and rigging a wire from a 12 VDC supply (I think it was just a battery charger) to get it unstuck. (I wouldn't suggest using a wire directly from the vehicle battery, an accidental short would be bad.)

This might give you a way to tell if the actuators are still working. I think there's a problem where the system can't figure out what's happening if the actuator is stuck partly locked/partly unlocked. And the rear diff and transfer case actuators are pretty accessible. HTH.

 

I own a 2004 (original owner) with trd off road package. And in the owners manual it recommends driving 10 miles every month in 4 wheel drive to keep everything lubricated. I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years and it works fine. Also, remember to grease your front u joints for the 4 wheel drive along with the driveshaft. Good luck