Any one familar with 4 wheel drive?

[vetteboy86]

I have a 95 Toyota 4runner. The 4 wheel drive has always worked however when I tried it about a week ago it took forever to engage. When I put it into H4 I can hear a click, kind of like a solenoid. It has the automatic hubs so you dont have to get out to engage them. Well there is a 4WD light that is suppose to come on, and it is not. Usually the manual says if you shift into 4wheel drive at a stand still the light will come on as soon as you start moving. Well I have shifted into H4 going 20, and have also shifted into H4 at a stop. The light doesn't come on, and the 4wheel drive doesn't work. Oh by the way L4 doesn't work either. Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks

Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

Anyone familiar with 4 wheel drive?

I have a 95 Toyota 4runner. The 4 wheel drive has always worked however when I tried it about a week ago it took forever to engage. When I put it into H4 I can hear a click, kind of like a solenoid. It has the automatic hubs so you dont have to get out to engage them. Well there is a 4WD light that is suppose to come on, and it is not. Usually the manual says if you shift into 4wheel drive at a stand still the light will come on as soon as you start moving. Well I have shifted into H4 going 20, and have also shifted into H4 at a stop. The light doesn't come on, and the 4wheel drive doesn't work. Oh by the way L4 doesn't work either. Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks

Craig

 

[avacorvette]

I had a lot of 4x4's all thru the 70's up to now.Older 4x4's engauge slowly when it is cold and may not go in at all. Give it time (running) to warm up.

Jim

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Is the 4WD engaged directly by a lever or is it vacuum/electrically engaged? Toyota has switched between systems without rhyme or reason over the years.



If it is vacuum or electrically engaged the problem is probably in the wiring, the solenoid, or the vacuum lines.



Try http://www.toyotanation.com

 

[vetteboy86]

It is mechanically engaged with a lever. So I got underneath it and checked to see if the linkage was moving and it is moving. When I put it into 4WD the front drive shaft does turn, in 2WD it does not turn so I know it is activating in the transfer case. However mine is equipped with the automatic engagning hubs. So I am thinking this might be a problem. I took it down the street in L4, and the light came on, and it went into 4WD right away. Is there an electronic solenoid that engages the hubs automatically? Thanks for everthing.


Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

It is mechanically engaged with a lever. So I got underneath it and checked to see if the linkage was moving and it is moving. When I put it into 4WD the front drive shaft does turn, in 2WD it does not turn so I know it is activating in the transfer case. However mine is equipped with the automatic engagning hubs. So I am thinking this might be a problem. I took it down the street in L4, and the light came on, and it went into 4WD right away. Is there an electronic solenoid that engages the hubs automatically? Thanks for everthing.


Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

SPANISHVETTES,


Thanks for that link. I didn't know that a site like that even existed. I made a post in the truck section, so hopefully between here and there I can figure it out. From what I understand of the system, the hubs have to be automatically engaged, however I dont know how that happens. My guess is once I figure that out, I will fix the problem.

Thanks

craig

 

[vetteboy86]

It eventually went into 4WD, however it always used to just go in right away. All the linkages are fine, it has to be in the automatic engaging hub assembly.


Craig

 

[KOPBET]

I will have to check my 95 4R to be sure but here goes nothing.

Transfer switch picks A.D.D. Relay which operates A.D.D. solenoids which in turn provide vacuum from vacuum tank to vacuum actuator which engages front differential. 4WD light won't come on until engaging and contact at the A.D.D. indicator switch.

From the sound of it, it could be vacuum related like a weak actuator, sticky solenoid or transfer switch at the transmission. Then again it could be just hanging up internally. How's the fluid level? Just guessing at this point though.

Too dang cold to go out and verify location of components right now but I believe vac. actuator and A.D.D. indicator switch should be in front of the diff on driver side. A.D.D solenoids I think are on pass side of engine compartment. Vacuum tank is on same side up front.

Auto or manual?

 

[vetteboy86]

It is an automatic. Those suggestions are great. I am going to try to look at it, but with the temps, and christmas here, the time will be limited. It seems to be getting better. Once I had it locked into 4WD I drove for a while. I disengaged it, and put it back into 4WD and it went into nicely. However if it is out of 4WD for a spell, it takes forever for the green light to come on.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Craig

 

[KOPBET]

I found this web page this morning.

 

[vetteboy86]

Thanks for that link. It will be very useful. Why cant they make anything simple? I mean honestly all that crap just to go into 4WD. Well looks like I will be working on this for a while.


Thanks alot
Craig

 

[KOPBET]

Let us know what you find, OK?

 

[vetteboy86]

Okay since I have inspected the linkage and know that the 4WD lever is working, I have eliminated that. I also dont think it could be the switches, because both would have to fail. Also the 4WD light will eventually turn on, and I think of a switch of either working, or not. that is also the way I feel about the relay. Once energized it works, it doesn't just start working anytime there after. As for the solenoids, I can here them working. So I believe I have a vacuum problem. That might explan the "laziness" going into 4WD. I am going to check the vacum connections. Lucky me huh.


Craig

 

[vette-dude]

I don't know if this is the case but on my Jeep Cherokee Grand Laredo we had the tires rear rotated to the front and put new tires on the rear. The 4wd would not engage the front diff. Took it to Jeep dealer and they worked on it for 3 hours. Finally raised it up on frame lift and the front engaged everytime. They called the factory and they said that all tires must have the same amount of wear and be within 1/8" diameter wise or the front would not engage. They recommend changing all 4 tires as a set. Put new set of tires on front and it worked everytime. Have you rotated the tires lately or put new ones on one axle? Just a thought.


Randy

 

[vetteboy86]

That is quite the odd scenario. I have had the same set on my 4runner for the last 15k miles or so. I had them rotated and balanced in the fall, but shortly after I pulled our pontoon up, with no problem in 4WD. I will jack the front end up and see if it engages easier. At this point I am up to anything.

Thanks

Craig

 

[KOPBET]

I'm glad you brought this issue up. I looked at my 95 4R and the vacuum lines to the actuator appear to be in sad shape. Without specifically looking behind the skid plate I would never have noticed them. Looks like time for a bit of maintenance after it warms up a little. The rest of the lines around the vacuum solenoids and canister look pretty good. Mine still works though. hehehe. Yours sound like a fairly simple troubleshooting process will find the source of the trouble.

 

[vetteboy86]

How many miles do you have on yours? I hope it is fairly simple, but until it warms up, I am going to wait.


Craig

 

[KOPBET]

I don't blame you! I wouldn't get out in it either. I have about 89K on mine.

 

[vetteboy86]

Mine is getting ready to turn 133k. It still runs and looks really good. I am a little disapointed in this whole problem. I know the reliability is one of the reasons I bought it. I hope it is something simple. Other then this problem to date, haven't had a major issues.


Craig

P.S. Do you think if I wait long enough you might get to yours first:L