4th Gen OR stuck in 4H

Yesterday I went to the Dirtbike track and it was muddy getting out. Had to put the truck in 4H. I shifted to neutral then moved the knob to 4H, I waited until the 4H indicator light stopped flashing on the dash. I was able to get out of the mud and get out of the mountains. Before I hit the pavement I stopped shifted to neutral and switched the knob to 2H. 4H started flashing on the dash and nothing happened. Normal. I have had this happen in other trucks. I rolled fwd and back many times to try to get it to disengage. No Luck. I then tried to do it on loose gravel and no luck. I read on this forum to try to lift one of the front wheels with the jack. Tried that and still no luck. I have a warranty on the truck. Called Toyota and they can’t get me in for 2 weeks. If anyone has any other ideas? Might just be a bad actuator is what I am thinking. I use 4x4 regularly and it has worked with no problems for 9k miles. The only mod I have done is put method wheels and mud tires on it.
UPDATE.
Faulty actuator motor. Toyota has replaced it. Truck is back to working normally. Thank you to anyone who posted something HELPFUL

 

What happens if you leave it in drive and then switch between 4h and 2h?

 

Not an expert but I’ve read to switch from 2H to 4H you keep the speed limit under 65 mph and can switch while in drive mode and no need to switch to neutral gears.

 

You should be in gear to go 2H to 2L or vice versa. In neutral for 2L to 4L.

Perhaps you already tried, but once I had a similar problem in my 2nd gen, I went into 2L, drove a little, then progressively back to 2H with a little driving and small turns in between steps. It worked.

 

That’s how you shift to 4L.

When you shift to 4H do it while moving forward in drive.

 

If only there were some kind of instructions for this type of thing, to help owners. An owner’s manual, if you will.

 

It's amazing the amount of postings I have seen on facebook with people trying out 4WD in the mall parking lot doing circles on dry pavement....wondering what the hell all the noise and shaking is about.

 

25 years ago it was just a thick book located in the glove box or a sticker. 25 years earlier, you might’ve locked your own hubs. But today, it’s a 2 sec browse on your personal Toyota app, a YouTube video either by Toyota or other credible resources, quick query here, or when all else fails, just google.

For those who may have traded in their AWD wagons, sedans, or SUV’s on a Tacoma, it pays to do a little homework before you go half-cocked off road and potentially end up reporting problems here.

 

Nothing happens. It just flashes 4hi

 

Tried this also no luck

 

I’ve owned many 4wds and I know what I am doing. This is something mechanically wrong with the truck. It’s been at Toyota for a week. They have no clue what is wrong and have been trying to fix it. Thanks tho buddy

 

Miss my 97 4Runner. No computer crap like today.

 

Toyota has had the truck for a week now and they are stumped. They have been in contact with their headquarters trying to find a solution. They have reset and recalibrated everything. It’s still stuck in 4hi. They said they have never seen this happen before. ‘all the donkeys saying to check the manual just f*** off. Thanks.

 

I blame the buying public for all this stuff they put in all these vehicles. All potential buyers want a truck
That gets 35 miles to the gallon , goes 0 -60 in in 3 seconds , has 900 foot pounds of torque, is lifted and goes around corners like a rally car . I think back to my 01 Tacoma ….. what a nice simple little truck . Auto hubs yes but you went into 4WD with a nice shifter, you know what , that truck wasn’t fast at all but what a great simple motor to work on . These companies going way overboard in my opinion

 

Tried this a few times and no luck

 

Agreed! I miss my 97 4Runner. I had to make the downsize from a 2nd gen raptor so nothing will ever compare to the raptor. I got the 24 Tacoma for financial reasons. I in no way expect it to preform like a raptor and have not treated it so.

 

Bummer man, sorry you're stuck without an answer and without a truck.

 

Appreciate it man it sucks! I need my truck for work sometimes so it’s inconvenient. I’m shocked that even Toyota is stumped. They have been on it with providing updates. Nut every update is not good news.

 

I’d put a placard on the visor.