Desperate for help. Truck is shaking, engine light and TRAC OFF light.

I have a 2013 4WD DC TRD Sport. I have about 139,000 miles on it. I get regular services every 5,000 miles or so.
I was driving home today, about 40 mph, and my truck started shaking violently. The engine on light and TRAC OFF light came on. I could not accelerate past 40 mph.
I took it to a shop, and after a diagnostic check, they noticed that I was missing on one cylinder. They said that getting new plugs and a tuneup would fix my truck.
I paid $430 for the plugs and tune up, then left the shop. 1 block later, the lights were back on, and my truck is shaking.
Is it possible that my 4WD switch is not disengaging? Here's what I'm thinking:
-I have been noticing that it has been a bitch to get out of 4WD lately. I have to roll back and forth to get back to 2WD from 4WD. It's never easy. I get the blinking 4WD icon, for a long time.
-I am getting that shaking feeling when I make a sharp turn, like I get when I am in 4LOW.
-I can't accelerate more than 40 MPH, like when I'm in 4LOW.

I disconnected the battery and reset the truck. It all went back to normal for about 2 miles, then the same crap started again.
When I turn off my truck, the engine and TRAC lights are gone, and everything looks normal. I start driving, and within 30 seconds, the shaking and lights.

Please help!!!!

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but in 4lo you shouldn't be going anywhere near 40mph...not good for the transfer case. 15-20mph max in 4lo, otherwise you should be in 4hi.

This doesn't sound like a 4x4 issue (though what you describe with your 4wd is probably a separate issue of it's own...), it sounds like the shop you took it to didn't fix the cylinder misfire and your truck is going into limp mode (allows you to drive it to safety but not much else).

I've seen threads on here for cylinder misfires before so hopefully someone else can chime in on where to go with that issue

 

Dude, I'm no mechanic. I'm grasping at straws. The limp mode sounds completely reasonable. I just mentioned that it might be stuck in 4WD because I'm too lame to make a smart diagnosis. I appreciate your help Eon_Blue.

 

ADD not disengaged?

 

No worries, I'm not trying to come off harsh or anything...I just think based on what it sounds like, the cylinder misfire wasn't resolved and is unrelated to the trouble you're having getting into 4wd. I'm no mechanic myself, but I'd definitely take it back to where you just had the work done and tell them that they didn't fix the issue. They should be willing to work with you since they weren't able to properly remedy the issue the first time around. Good luck, I truly hope it's nothing too serious

 

Like I said, thanks man. I buy new trucks every 2 or 3 years so that I don't have to deal with this shit. I go to a shop and I get screwed because I'm a retard.

 

$430 for plugs and a "tune up" on a fuel injected motor???

Dude.... go to a trusted mechanic next time...

 

I live out of the way. I took it to the nearest shop. I get my oil changes there, and they've always been good.

 

They probably thought they fixed it. Have them check it again.

Your best bet for help is to get the codes that it's throwing, then search for solutions for those codes specifically for 2013 Tacoma.
The running rough could be a type of limp mode, in my experiences with other vehicles, going into limp mode usually means loss of some type of critical information that the computer can only deal with by going into limp mode to safeguard. Things like cam or crank position sensor, MAF sensor, things like that. But all this is just guessing until you pull the codes.

 

Man, I am going there tomorrow morning when they open. Thanks for the advice, man.

 

No problem, good luck.

Hopefully the shop can make it right, quickly.

 

Wow!

 

This should be easy to check. When the truck starts shaking, pull over, stop, get underneath and try to turn the front driveshaft. If the ADD is disengaged, the shaft will turn freely.

 

Turns out the coil was bad, and was replaced this morning. Cylinder 1 was misfiring causing cylinder 5 to misfire as well.
I am at the dealership to trade the it in for a 2016. I need to keep them fresh.
I appreciate the help everybody.

 

Out of the frying pan and into the fire; I like it.

 

No kidding. I missed that originally in the post. That's insane mileage.

What kind of work do you do OP that you drive that much?

 

Oh No!

 

Keep it under 5mph in 4low. Shift from 2hi-4hi on the fly owners manual says under 62mph I usally idle in the drive at about 10 and turn to 4hi usally blinks 2 times then goes solid. Disengage the same way!

 

I service and calibrate wastewater flow monitoring systems. I drive all over NC and SC.
Basically, I drive 3 hours out and do 10 minutes worth of work, and make a couple of stops on the way back.

 

Cool, enjoy the new truck!