4L-4H-2WD

Please help! I accidentally turned the 4H on while parked and didn’t notice it until the truck started squealing on sharp turns and starting rocking during that process. When I changed it back to 2WD it has problems switching back.. last time it wouldn’t switch back until as I was driving it knocked back into place... why was it having trouble switching? And are there any serious damages I may have caused?

 

I think you're alright. Sometimes the 4wd is just sticky. I'll have to switch back and fourth sometimes as well

 

The 4WD system cannot disengage under tension to save the mechanisms that operate the 2 shift yokes. There is a torque limit sensor. If your drivetrain is all bound up, you gotta sometimes drive and steer a little to release the tension and allow the 2 electric motors (one in ADD and one in T-case) to operate. Both these motors are protected from over torque.

What you are witnessing is the system saving itself from damage.

 

I couldn't switch from 4L to 2, accompanied by a whining sound. Called dealer who said that I was driving too fast for the change to 2 to take place. Don't remember the speed (made 40mph), but slowing down to a crawl made the change, no problem.

Dealer also said the driving fast in 4L can cause damage probably to what is described by Stocklocker.

 

Consider yourself lucky, it's normal..my nissan xterra wouldn't switch for miles sometimes. Didn't like switching back to 2wd. Kinda annoying..

 

I think you are fine. On some days my truck engages 4x4 right away, some days takes a bit longer. I wouldnt worry about it.

Zdarova!

 

Shift into and out of 4LO at a stop only. No syncros, that shift ain't happening at speed. Shift 4HI to 2HI at any speed. 2HI to 4HI will shift up to about 60 mph.

You weren't getting a quick 4HI to 2HI shift because your drivetrain was bound up after that 4HI pavement driving. Drive a bit with slight turns, don't fight it, and the system will eventually relieve enough to get the shift done.

 

I’m not sure if it’s still required, but I stop and put the truck in neutral to switch out of 4Lo. I assumed this was still the case.

 

It is. I wrote up an explanation as to why too.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4lo.671353/#post-23598252

 

OP, you should occasionally operate in 4WD for a few reasons. Most importantly, driving a couple miles a month will keep the transfer case and front differential components, including the bearings, lubricated and coated with oil. Toyota recommends something like 10 miles a month/1000miles. It will also exercise the actuator(s) and electrical contacts, which can get stiff and corroded if they never move. Lastly, you will become familiar with engaging and disengaging the 3 modes, things that can help motivate the actuators to engage, etc so that when you need 4WD, you will be confident and likely not have trouble engaging. The drivers sun visor should have a 2WD/4WD drive mode instruction card in a pocket. My 2nd and 3rd gen both have one there.

 

^^^
This

 

Oops. I blacked out the stickers.

 

Coming from a 2003 tundra that had a problem disengaging under acceleration I’ve always just lifted my foot off of the gas and pushed the button. There’s always been a clunk.
I think we’re all a bunch of pussies! Think about all the trucks in the Sahara and all of the other far-flung places where Toyota rules the outback. Those trucks don’t see regular oil changes and never come out of four-wheel-drive. They are bulletproof. Stop being so soft fellas! LOL

 

I have a lease.. lmao bout to finance the next. Might have to pussy it until then lol

 

as the saying goes - you can shift high on the fly (2 - 4HI vise versa) and you shift low going slow (neutral/stop). Oh and shifting on dry pavement doesn’t help if that was the case.

 

This is why I don't buy used 4x4s.

 

4 hi on the fly, 4 lo stop n go.

As others have said, I'm not sure how much driving you did in 4hi, it's obviously not good to make sharp turns on pavement but you should be ok if it's still switching. You may want to change your transfer case oil a bit early though in case there's extra wear particulates in the oil from all the binding.

 

It usually helps to put the truck in reverse and back up a few feet if stuck in 4 lo. Doing that helps relieve the stress in the drivetrain.

 

I have a problem that just came about two weeks ago.

When is switch from 2 to 4h, nothing happens, not even the 4 wheel light comes on.

Then I notice if I shut the engine off, turn the 4H switch on before starting, then just turn the ignition key before starting, the four wheel indicator light comes on and when I start the engine, it remains in 4H until I switch it off. .

However I have an intermittent problem that once I switch back to 2 wheel drive, I can't get back into 4 wheel drive unless I stop, turn off the engine, turn the switch to 4h and then turn the ignition key to turn it on. I can sometimes hear the hubs locking in.

My guess is it's because being retired, I don't drive the truck enough. This seems to happen after we've had wet weather. In other words, something is sticking.

Is there a way to oil a part of the 4 wheel drive system to keep this from happening ?

Never mind, I just watched this video and it answered my question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrrdRFcOdc

 

you were going 40mph in 4L AND trying to switch back to 2 at that speed?