Can't get truck into 4Lo

I have an 08 Tacoma and have been back to the dealer twice for this problem. Once it wouldn't come out of low range and now I have trouble getting it to shift into low range. Dealer says all is ok. It's a 5 speed with the twist knob for shifting into and out of low range. I've had 4 wd for twenty years and this is the first one that didn't require pulling a lever. Anyone else had this problem and how do I get Toyota to do something? I haul a stump grinder and some times need low range to back it into some place.

 

The switch is new to me also...and I've only had it in 4lo once. It's a matter of putting it into park or neutral and waiting (I think).

Have you looked in the owners manual for instructions ?

 

Hey I thought it was a problem to but its just the way its designed. Come to a complete stop, turn nob into 4H then 4L and wait a second then drive. When coming out come to a complete stop and go out the same way. Wait until all lights deactivate and your good.

 

There is a card on the sun visor that will tell you everything you need to know.

 

believe me, I have done all those things.The service manager had to jump the truck back and forth and mess with it in the parking lot to get it to come out of low range and it won't go into low range unless you hold your mouth right, the wind is out of the west at 2 mph and it's the full moon!
Going into low range I'll have my stump grinder on and will need low range to back up a slight grade and it won't go in.
I have just filed with the toll free number for a service rep and am waiting for a regional rep to contact me now. I have a case # etc.
Just wondering if others are having this problem. I say there is something wrong and the service manager says it's the way the new ones are.

 

In March, the actuator in my 06 DC 4WD had to be replaced @ 19k because I could not get to the 4WD drive to work either. It started in 4Hi then 4Low wouldn't work either. All I got was a light in the dash but the system wasn't engaged. On my paperwork, it showed the tech troubleshooting it thru their tech system finally replacing a faulty actuator under warranty.

 

It's been awhile since I used the 4lo on my truck, but don't you have to shif tthe transmission to lo or neutral before engaging the 4-Lo?

 

YES

(on the newer trucks with the electronic dial)

 

I am having the same problem with the low range. I have filed my second complaint with Toyota, and the answer is the same, "That's how they operate." Well, I tried 4 low the other day, and it took 10 minutes of playing with it in the alley behind my house to get it to disengage. To say the least, I was very upset. I made the assumption that this condition would only occurr during the cold months. However, it was 85 degrees when it locked up on me again the other day. I took my truck to the local dealer, and wouldn't you know it, the damn thing shifted in and out perfectly. Just like going to the doctor. Well, I headed out in the country and had an opportunity to use 4 wd again. It took awhile to get into 4 hi, and a couple minutes to disengage the 4wd. So, I'm back to square one. I'm going back to the dealer next week, and I'll have the tech check it again.

 

My advise it once you get it working, work it out. Another words do like I do and drive in 4wd for like reccomended 10 miles per month, during the month I cycle in and out of 4lo. Now I can sit in my driveway and engage both lo and hi without having to move. This is once you get the original problem worked out.

 

When I took mine in because it would take multiple attempts to engage or disengage 4Lo, the Service manager managed to get it to engage after somewhere around 20 attempts and then had the balls to tell me that it was "normal"

They heard me laughing all the way up into the sales office.

They tinkered with it for a while because I refused to accept it and it is better but it's still a piece of shit system and the #1 reason why after driving Toyota 4x pickups for 30 years this will most likely be my last

 

Well, as it stands the 4 wd shift mechanism is of little or no value is it doesn't work when you need it. I have already filed two formal complaints with Toyota regrading this problem. If I were in an emergency situation, and couldn't shift out of 4 lo, I can guarantee there would be some action taken.

 

Are you pushing the clutch pedal in all the way? I noticed if it's not to the floor, it won't go into 4 lo.

 

i have o8 to and had the same problem. i put it i netrul and wait a few seconds and it eventually goes in

 

it happen to me today,it went into low range ok but took for ever to get it out.even after i turned off the four high it still felt like it was on four high.the girlfriend's father told me if you don't work your four hi-low,your system will seeze up.

later tig1

 

Next time,maybe take a camera with you and film your issue. So you can show to the service manager that you really do have a problem and they cant just dismiss it so easily.

 

did you divide by the year you were born?

On a serious note -- Iv had problems on another truck with the solenoid that actuates the shift in and out of 4lo and even 4hi. i am not sure if this applies to the tacoma but if so its worth a shot. solenoids go bad or stick.

Now a question i have is there a way to manually over-ride the solenoid?

Anyone?

 

bingo! what he said -- i guess i shold read thru all the posts.

sorry about that but to my point that is the first place i would look. make sure the tech checks it out.

if they give you the run-arround and make you waste time coming back for more punishment of dealing with they just mention the word lemon law.

something like -- wouldent the lmon law cover this?

 

Mine has worked just fine too. I always have 4hi fully engauged in drive or any gear. Come to a stop, shift to neutral. Switch to 4lo, wait until the flashing stops indicting full engaugement. Then gear and drive around. To dissengauge I come to a full stop, shift to neutral, switch to 4hi. Wait for the 4lo light to go off indicating disengaugment (usually a very light clunk also confirms). Then go to drive, while rolling switch to 2hi on the fly.

Works perfect every time for me... if that's what you're doing I would suspect the actuator or perhaps a wire is shorted/broke. Hopefully its resolved soon