4x4 Not Working

Hello everyone,

I tested the 4x4 of my 96 Tacoma SR5 V6 and it was not working. The light was on (I mean the 4x4 symbol showed on my dashboard in green) but I could not shift it to either L4 or H4 at all. Then I checked and I found that the cables of the Transfer L4 Position Switch and the Transfer Neutral Position Switch (I'm not sure what are the names of these switches) were cut off by the previous owner. They are located on the top of the Transfer Case with the Green and Black cables on the pictures below. I searched and I found those pictures online. It seems not much space around those switches. How can I replace them? What kind of tools do I need? Does the Spark Plug tool work?

 

You might be able to remove those things with a sensor removal socket (has a cutout on the side)

 

Thanks for your advise about the sensor removal socket. I'll get one at the auto part after I get out of work today. About the cutting, the cables were cut off right at the switches and I could not reconnect them by the black tape. The only way that I can do is to remove the old ones out and install the new ones in.

I took it to the shop and the mechanic told me he has to lower the tranny to have space to replace those switches. He'll charge me $200 for the labor only. That's why I tried to post it here to see if any of you can give me a subjection to get it done by myself to save my $$$.

Again, the only way I can do is to remove those switches out and reinstall the new ones in.

 

What he was saying is that you might be able to use an oxygen sensor socket to remove them yourself. An oxygen socket has a slit cut into the side of it to allow removal and installation of a sensor that has a pigtail harness permanently affixed to it. I can pull those sensors without having to lower the transfer case. Not sure about your wrench turner's thoughts on that.$200 is a lot of $$ to swap out those two sensors in my opinion. I would think $125 at the most, but I am not sure of the labor rate of the shop you got an estimate on.

 

With those wire cut off right at the switches, you should be able to use a standard deep-socket ( 19mm/3/4" ? ) to remove the switches, as Bamatoy suggested. Then you can confirm that the sensor socket is the correct size before buying. There might be different sizes. Is there enough wire left to note the color? I don't think you want to cross them up when installing.

 

I just took it to another shop and the mechanic told me he'll charge me $175.00 for the labor. I'm in Hickory, NC.

I'll try to use the oxygen sensor socket to take those switches out this coming weekend and then I'll let you know the result.

Do you know how much for those switches? Can I get those from Auto Zone, Advance, NAPA, etc, instead of the Dealership?

 

tan4x4, thank you for your advise. I just bought an oxygen sensor socket yesterday evening and I'll try it with both oxygen sensor socket and the matrix deep socket on this weekend and then I'll report back here for you about the result.

I cannot tell the colors now. I don't want to make a mistake and get more problems. Do you have any idea about those color?

 

I have a pair from a case I stripped down few months ago. Used but I will sell them cheap. PM me if you are interested.

 

Let me check with the Auto Part this weekend and then I'll let you know.

 

The oxygen sensor socket is too small. I got a regular 24mm socket and it still is small. I guess the 26mm or 27mm might work but I could not find any oxygen sensor as that big at all. I already checked all of the auto parts, Auto Zone, Advance, O'reilly, NAPA, and Harbor Freight Tools, except Toyota dealer only. Do you have any idea or anywhere I can get it?

 

I also have a 96 Tacoma 4x4 with 3.4 v6...my transfer case will engage into 4L but it has the button on the side of the transfer case shifter that puts it in 4wd....I have no power coming into the switch...I've checked all vacuum lines. All good..cranked the truck pulled vacuum lines off the top vsv and getting plenty of vacuum... Hope someone can stear me in the right direction I would appreciate it

 

You might be able to solder the wires together and put heat shrink tubing over the splice. If you can get to the wires and do that it should be as good as solid wire.