Basic 4wd advice needed...

I am trying to sell my 2010 DCSB v6 (we want an old 3rd gen truck), and the buyer has one concern- the 4wd system. Sometimes when you try and shift into 4hi, it flashes the chassis light and 4lo, doesn't engage, and turning the dial does nothing. If you turn the truck off and on again, the lights are cleared, and this time you might be able to shift into 4hi, no problems. Never had a problem going 4hi-4lo, vice versa, or 4hi-2hi. So this really only occurs sometimes. The truck is a manual. The buyers mechanic thinks it's temperature related. The 4wd has always worked when I needed it, I just thought that it's sometimes finicky and just got used to it. Is this something I can fix? Any advice? Thnx!!

 

I remember my 2008 MT was finicky with the clutch switch. If the clutch pedal wasn't all the way to the floor, it would beep at me going in and out of 4 low.

 

Does anyone know if it should be beeping in 4LO? Mine has always done this since I owned it and thought that was normal.

 

If it's beeping it is not in 4lo you are still in 4high!!

 

Did you read the owners manual? Putting it into 4lo is a completely different process than going from 2Hi to 4Hi.
There are specific things you have to do....it'll beep all day long until you've done the process properly.

 

Mine sometimes is finicky going into 4H too. I usually cycle it again and move the truck some and it stays in 4H.

 

here ya go 4hi anytime up to around 60mph. 4lo stop put in neutral then shift into 4lo. should go in an active.

 

I've owned a bunch of 4X4 vehicles and all can be finicky at times. Going from 2wd to 4hi is best done BEFORE you need 4X4 and while the vehicle is moving. Turn the dial and it may take 2-10 seconds before it actually engages. If you wait until you're stuck, you may never get it to engage. The front wheels must be rotating before the gears can align and shift into 4X4. Going back to 2wd same story. Your front wheels must be rotating before it will disengage.

Going to 4lo is different. Don't try to go directly from 2wd to 4lo. Shift into 4hi as described above. Once you're in 4hi come to a complete stop, shift to neutral or press the clutch all the way to the floor then shift to 4lo. When you release the clutch, or put the automatic transmission in gear the front wheels may need to rotate a partial turn before it will engage.

Getting out of 4lo is always the hardest. Come to a complete stop, shift into neutral or press in the clutch, then shift into 4hi, don't try to go straight from 4lo to 2wd. If it doesn't want to come out of low range shift back into 4lo and back up 10-15' then move forward and try again. It may take several cycles. Once you get it into 4hi drive drive away and then shift back to 2wd on the move. It'll go back to 2wd within a few seconds.

It is also highly advisable to shift into 4X4 once every month for at least a mile or 2. Get out on a gravel road and use it in 4X4. This keeps all the moving parts lubricated and if you have an electrical or vacuum problem it is better to find out on a gravel road than when you really need 4X4.

 

I've found my 6 speed truck can be finicky going into 4hi, just the nature of the beast.

 

^ this!

 

Nice info @Marshall R never honestly thought about using it every so often to keep it lubricated

 

Thank you all for your responses, especially Marshall R and randomguy. I knew there was nothing wrong with my truck... people get crazy when buying and selling used cars...

 

My father in law has an 02 Ranger 5 speed with an electric shift transfer case. He thought his 4lo was defective because it wouldn't shift. It wasn't until I shared my experience with my truck, which was shift into to high, wait, and then floor the clutch before shifting to low that he realized it worked just fine.

Electric shift 4x4 uses a computer to determine whether or not it's safe to shift into low. If it senses one thing isn't quite right it simply won't shift.

 

There also is a card in the sun visor pocket (or should be ) that gives the steps for H4 and L4 use... if you don't read the owner's manual .

 

Thanks Marshall, I've copied that to keep

 

Good reason. 4x4 repairs are expensive.

 

Fify. Seriously though op, put yourself in his shoes. You are paying top dollar for a used Tacoma. You want it to work right.

 

Mine does that unless clutch is to the floor and completely stopped in 4HI

 

Also, remember the more you cycle thru the 3 modes from 2hi, 4hi and 4lo, the better it works.
Mine was a bit finicky at first but it was from not using it enough.
Good advice to exercise the system on a regular basis so you have it before you really need it.

 

Yup, the manual actually says to exercise 4wd once a month if possible, i think. My locker is finicky if i dont use it for a while. same with 4wd hi and lo, but not as bad. In the winter it works fine because its been moving a lot. Sometimes forward and reversing helps. Following the proper mode for 4LO is important.