4WD wont engage and NO light comes on

Hey Guys!

I am new here and was hoping to get some guidance. I have a 2009 Tacoma 4WD. When I go to engage the 4WD NOTHING happens...and I mean nothing. I read up about a lot of people have problems when engaging the 4WD and the light blinking in the dash, but I don't even get that. I also read that you should listen for actuator motor to click on. I don't hear anything when I switch it to 4WD.

I have tried switching it on while driving, while in park, while in neutral, even while in reverse. I have tried turning it off and starting it while in 4WD. Nothing happens. When I try to switch to 4LO, nothing happens either.

I wasn't sure if the numerous posts that people have made about the 4WD actuator still pertained to my issue bc they all spoke of having a blinking 4WD light. This is my first 4WD, so I am new to this idea of front and rear differentials.

Any help or ideas are very appreciated,
Thanks for you time.

 

It’s almost 100% that it is NOT the 4WD fuse.
But...check the 20A 4WD fuse. Since nothing happens.

If that’s not it, the questions are?
How good are you at diagnosing electrical issues.
And are you willing to spend the time to diagnose it.
The 4WD system on the Tacoma is notorious for being hard to diagnose.

 

If nothing at all is happening, and the fuse is ok, I'd start with the switch.

 

Did it ever work and when was the last time it did?

 

This might be off topic and I know it's for an older 4runner but this guy is a genius and his video might be able to help? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJqceGvMVFM

 

The fuse is a good idea and I will check that first.
Unfortunately, I would probably end up doing more harm that good, if I tried to diagnose an electrical issue.

I only recently purchased the truck from a private party and I had to do it remotely. I was told that the 4WD was functional. I guess I should've gotten a video of it. Probably gonna be a costly mistake on my part.


I appreciate the ideas and input. Keep em coming if ya got any.

Thanks

 

Ya know if you would use these things every so often like even in the summer (like Toyota recommends) they might work when you need them. Granted I would love to have manual control shifter just because it always worked first time but that's "progress".

 

I would contact the seller ASAP and see what he says, and yes start with the simple stuff first. Fuse, power to switch and then switch of course.

 

Pop the panel off where the switch is and make sure that it is plugged in, happened to me before...

 

Good idea, but I just checked and it seems to be clipped in and all good.

Not a dumb question, it was actually something I got really afraid of for a second, but I slid underneath the truck and saw the transfer case and actuator(which i banged on a bit bc i read they can get stuck). Also the VIN comes back as a 4WD.

The stereo part interests me though. I did pull the stock stereo the first few days I had it and put in a bluetooth receiver behind it. I unplugged what I thought was the 6 disc changer(bc I don't even own any CD's anymore). I wonder if this has something to do with it? Maybe I'll pull it all and put it back the way I got it and see if that solves it.

 

You would hope that the decal on the truck would say 4x4.

Yes if you had the dash apart who knows about plugs in or out that might of been the power source for the switch?

 

Links 2,3,and 4 here all contain good diagnostic information.
Hopefully this helps.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4wd-system-help-and-information.696298/

Be sure to see this one.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-case-or-diff-actuators.695818/#post-24612674

 

Well, I put everything back the way that it was and still get no 4WD light. I was really hoping that was gonna be the solution.

Looks like I am gonna have to buy a voltage meter and start testing. I don't want to take it to the dealership bc I am sure they are going to just tell me I need a new actuator and front differential and rear differential and transmission and a whole new truck. This is definitely out of my depth, but in my experience, doing is the best way I learn.

 

Yeah, it can be a long process diagnosing it.
In your case, you don’t any flashing lights. Nothing?
It might be easier to figure out. Or harder.

You’ll have to go over the diagrams and figure out where you want to start.
I’d start with the switch. Since you have NO flashing light.

 

Hard to say if nothings happening and you have just bought the truck, use the attached pdf posted above and TS&R.

 

Yeah, I got NOTHING. The ONLY time I see the 4x4 light in the dash come on is when I first turn the key on and ALL the lights light up and even then, its not the green 4x4 its the red 4x4. The switch seems like the easiest place to start and I can get my bearings on how a volt meter works, then I can head over to the ECU.

I guess the best news so far, is that as of now, it looks electrical and not mechanical. But who knows what will happen if I can get it to light up.

 

I wouldn’t vote out the possibility of it being electrical. The actuators are known to be junk.

 

Not sure how electrically inclined you are, you could run a jumper on the harness for the switch and see if you can get it to light. But probably best to test with a meter first.

 

SO what happened, fixed or not??

 

Sadly, its not fixed. I pulled the switch and checked to make sure everything was seated correctly and it seemed to be. I pulled out the stereo and reconnected everything back to stock, but that didn't fix it either. I replaced the fuse and still nothing. I pulled out the glove box and checked to make sure the 4WD ECU was seated correctly(mean while breaking the clip that holds the ECU in place, sigh) and that was good too. My next step would be a voltage meter and learning how to do that. I am moving out at the end of the month and I am hoping my buddy will be able to help me learn how to do that when I get situated. Unfortunately, the issue will have to wait until I get the time to dive into it. Its crazy that I can't find ANYONE whose had the same problem. My gut says its something stupid like a loose connection or something unclipped, since I get NOTHING at all happens when I engage the 4WD.

Once I get moved and get a chance to investigate, I'll make sure to keep the thread updated. Everyone has been really helpful with their ideas.