4x4 light on but won’t engage...

2006 4x4 v6 Tacoma. So I work offshore, I came back and got in my truck after being out for 2 months and noticed my 4x4 low light was on, no beeping. Just the light and I tried to get it to engage and never would... it’s 2 months later and I finally have time to work on it! The lights still on and can’t get 4x4, so I looked under the truck and I seen the vacuum hose was Not connected it was dry rot. If I replace the hose will it work?? It’s not go water in it I know that. So what could be going on?

 

The second generation 4wd system is electric. Any hose attached is a breather. I can't explain your symptoms, tho.

 

is your dash switch in 4hi? or 2hi? try flipping back between the two while moving a bit.

 

Have you tried going back to 2hi and then engaging 4hi again? Or are you stuck in 4lo which requires you to be in neutral to come back out of it?

 

No I’m in 2hi all the time and it’s not engaged the light just stays on and will not go into 4x4 at all I’ve tried everything

 

So again 4hi or 4lo? And what exactly are you doing when you try to engage it? Light is on when sitting in 2hi?

 

I’ve tried to get it to engage every gear, I’ve tried Turning my tires driving and turning going 10mph going straight and in reverse and nothing, all that goes on is my 4x4 low light blinks all the time

 

Ok we’re getting somewhere, so it’s your 4lo light that is blinking? I would stop put the truck in neutral and engage 4lo, then drive forward and make sure it’s engaged. If it does then just do the opposite and put it in neutral and take it out of 4lo.

 

Am having same issue with my '11. The light flashes, but 4WD won't engage, or very slow to engage in cold weather. Am in rock fight with dealer over repair as I have Toyota Platinum coverage and dealer will not fix as the part (actuator) is failing, but not "failed". They claim that it is not their problem as the "insurance company" (remember it is Toyota coverage) will not allow a replacement until it is broken even though they acknowledge it is not working properly in cold. They claim it would be "insurance fraud" to replace. When tested in warmer weather by them it works fine, but left overnight at dealer, when cold they admit slow engagement. Told by dealer service manager it was my problem to contact Toyota to resolve.
Sorry for the rant, but suspect that the OP issue is also activator problem.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transfer-case-transfer-cases-in-first-and-2nd-gen-trucks.345652/

 

So I tried that, still nothing it will not engage 4x4 hi or low, my light continues to stay on and blink...

 

How to troubleshoot the actuator on the front diff Write up ( with pics )
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/263525-how-trouble-shoot-4x4-actuator.html

HERE IS WHAT YOUR MANUAL SAYS
Shifting between H2 and H4
-Shifting from H2 to H4
Reduce the vehicle speed to less than 62 mph (100 km/h) and turn the
front-wheel drive control switch fully clockwise.
-Shifting from H4 to H2
Turn the front-wheel drive control switch fully counterclockwise.
This can be done at any speed. You need not depress the clutch pedal.
(manual transmission)
If the four-wheel drive indicator light or the 4LO indicator light blinks
-Shifting from H2 to H4
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating.
• If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink and the buzzer
sounds, stop the vehicle or reduce the vehicle speed to less than 62
mph (100 km/h). Operate the switch again.
-Shifting from H4 to H2
If the four-wheel drive indicator continues to blink, drive straight ahead
while accelerating or decelerating, or drive forward or backward in a short
distance.

 

Have you disconnected the battery and let it sit? When the 4x4 light is on, what position is the switch in? Does it blink when shifted to 4hi?

 

I called a Toyota mechanic he said I can bring it and he can look at it and put it on the rack and see if it’s just seized if so nothing else to do then replace and it’s 87$ at auto zone, and they want 6hrs for labor but I’m thinking I can have a private mechanic do it

 

I also just drove it and tried everything you all said and nothing

 

actuator is going bad

 

Nothing to do with your problem, but I can't stand that dam knob on the dash! I can never remember the God Dam secret combination to get everything to work. Park for the locker to work,neutral to get into 4Loor is it the other way around. I swear it take 5 minutes for me to get it all to work(not really 5 min LOL)I really miss my floor transfer case shifter.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fj-transfer-case-swap-work-in-a-2-7.341459/

 

I miss it, but I doubt I'd go that far to get it back.

 

Manual Transmission FTW...I just pop it in neutral and switch from 2 to 4...and then once done pop it back out...I have to drive about 1.5miles in crappily plowed snow up and down hills to get to the main road and need the 4wd...and then once I hit that main road I can go to 2wd...So at least 2x a day I am in and out when snow is on the ground. I think it likes to be used often to stay operating correctly...
And I love the lighted switch mod...