Can't switch into L4 ...

I was it the snow today and was checking out the different modes of VSC and 4WD. I tried to switch into L4. I stopped the truck, shifted into neutral with the brake on, I pushed in and turned the switch to L4. It flashed 4Lo and beeped constantly. I turned off the truck and restarted it. The manual said to try and move forward or backward and try again. I tried eleven more times, each time fully stopping and shifting to neutral. On the twelfth try it seemed to switch to L4 but then both the VSC Off and TRAC Off lights flashed and then the L4 light started flashing again along with the beeping. It's still in warranty and I'll get it to the dealer ASAP but does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Bob

 

FYI - The truck has 11.5K miles on it. I've had it about 6 weeks. This was my first time ever trying L4.

Bob

 

Needs to be taken out behind the wood shed
Are you going from 2hi-4lo? If so try 4hi-4lo. Drive forward slowly, shift to N coast to a stop tapping the brake, do the same in reverse if needed. Beware, it will probably come out of 4lo just as hard My '06 is still sticky.

 

I was in 4Hi. I stopped the truck and put it in neutral then tried L4. Like I said it flashed and beeped. The last time when it looked like it was going to switch, everything flashed - VSC Off, TRAC Off and L4 lights and it was beeping. Thanks.

Bob

 

Try switching to 4lo while moving (slowly).

 

OK. I'll give it a try.

Bob

 

She's new and tight. Need to go in and out a few times to loosen her up.

 

subbed for answer.

 

I have had the same issue, have had multiple 4x4 rigs before, however this is my first with a switch. In my GMC had to turn the engne off, then would move the lever and it would go in.

My Tacoma, have done all the advised things to no avail. I have 30,000 miles, it is "loosend up" all it's going to be.

With all items a go, (anything that takes bound up pressure off), I turn the truck off, then back on and am in 4 Lo

Asked the dealer about it several times, they always mumble, "yes, that is a problem".

So I try to make sure i am in lo prior to needing it.

 

The other trucks I've owned with push button or switch activated 4x4 all shifted easily into 4 Lo simply by shifting the trans into neutral and hitting the button. With these toyotas it's always a fight. I hope they make a lever operated transfer case an option on the next gen.

 

Me too. Mine does work but if I ever have issues an FJ cruiser transfer case might go in.

 

Mine was a bit of a fight at first, but I find the more I use it the better it works, my truck is just over a year old and always goes in first time now. I get out off-roading just about every weekend.

Me too, twin stick please, so that the 4x and low functions are completely separate.

 

I had an fj cruiser and it was way more of a fight to shift than my tacoma by a lot! Always terribly notchy getting into and back out of 4wd. Always bummed me out because the transfer case in my 2000 tacoma was smooth and always shifted properly...at any speed (in 4hi) and never fought going into 4lo under appropriate conditions.

 

The 12 I drive now had the same issue, I had to move back and forth in 4H and 4L while switching from Drive to Neutral to reverse, took me about 30 min to get it in L the first time but after that it switches fine with no issues and only takes a second or 2.

 

Well ... I called the dealer and they set me up for a quick appointment. The service scheduler guy said it was most likely an end user training issue. Hmm ... OK. I got there and he tells me to show him what I did. I did and it repeated - all three lights flashing - VSC Off, Trac Off and 4Lo. We traded places and he does it. Same thing. He tries a second time and it works as it should. He has a tech come over and he tries it like 10 times and it won't do it again. So it's a ghost right now. I'll bring it back if it does it again. The good news is I ended up knowing the tech from years ago. We chatted a few minutes and I asked about getting the dang seatbelt chime turned off. He hooked it up and turned it off in about a minute.

Bob

 

veery 4wd truck i have ever had, i put in 4hi and 4lo every month. want hurt a thing on dry pavement as long as you are going straight, keeps everything lubed up and free. i only do this for short distances. i want to know it works before i need it, when i do go offroad even if i don't need 4wd i use it. pretty sure the manual calls for putting in 4wd on regular basis.