Tacoma 4wd won't engage

Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
I installed my add a leafs today on my 03 Tacoma. After I was done I took it to the lot next door to get some poser shots for my build thread. I put my truck in 4wd, it felt like it went in, and the 4wd indicator light turned on. But nothing to the front tires. I then put it in neutral, tried putting it in 4 lo and still nothing to the front, but it did feel like it was in lo. I have 2 lo now without spending any money. :cool: But no 4 lo. Like I said, when I shift in to 4wd it feels like it is going in but there is a noise coming from the front diff. It sounds like an air actuator or electric actuator motor. Is this how Tacoma's engage? Is this something common to go out? What do I do?
 
Thanks Caleb. Before I saw your post I went out in the garage and switched it in and out of 4wd about 50 times. On the last try my light came. I backed it out in the road, put it in 4 and drove in a circle, or tried to. 4wd was working. I wonder if previous owners have ever used the 4wd. I know I've only had it in 4wd 3-4 times. Hopefully I will use it more now that my build is mostly done. I also followed all of the vacuum lines and there are no leaks. Can other tacoma owners hear the 4wd engage like an actuator? Turn the key to the accesory position and pull in 4wd. Anyone?
 
When I push my button I hear an actuator in the tcase. When I pull the handle into 4lo there is no actuator noise. One thing you could look at is if the front driveline is spinning or not. If it is than its probably something in your front diff.
 
What button? I'm not aware of a button. Are some push button engage and some lever engage? I hear the actuator when I pull it into 4 hi not 4 lo.
 
Oh sorry. Mine has push button 4 hi and the lever is pulled for 4 lo. Also my light comes on and I have a different diff than you. The light comes from the tcase being engaged is what I am saying,
 
Does it make a difference in the engagement if it is going forward or in reverse? When my case was going out it would engage in reverse but disengage going forward. I don't know much about Toyota cases but just thought I would throw that out there.
 
When it wasn't working, the light usually wouldn't come on. There were a few times that it did though, even though it didn't engage at the axle. Now that's it's working again the light is coming on. I will have to check the forward/reverse thing tomorrow blackzj.
 
Mine makes a click when the front axle locks into 4wd. The ADD axles have a collar that engages the right side CV. Sometimes my light won't come on until I pull forward. The light should come on when the collar is moved if you have the J shifter. I can move the lever anywhere and the light will stay off until the ADD engages. My ADD motor is vacuum and has the canister in the wheel well. Yours should be electric. You may have a wire loose or the motor is gummed up.

2cxys8n.jpg
 
Last edited:
It's a built-in feature for toyotas. They like to get wheeled in 4wd, so they complain when they're not seeing enough dirt time. :D
 
Cascadia said:
Thanks Caleb. Before I saw your post I went out in the garage and switched it in and out of 4wd about 50 times. On the last try my light came. I backed it out in the road, put it in 4 and drove in a circle, or tried to. 4wd was working. I wonder if previous owners have ever used the 4wd. I know I've only had it in 4wd 3-4 times. Hopefully I will use it more now that my build is mostly done. I also followed all of the vacuum lines and there are no leaks. Can other tacoma owners hear the 4wd engage like an actuator? Turn the key to the accesory position and pull in 4wd. Anyone?
Click to expand...

Be very careful with turning on dry pavement with 4WD engaged. You could blow some seals. I know from first hand experience.
 
chans said:
Mine makes a click when the front axle locks into 4wd. The ADD axles have a collar that engages the right side CV. Sometimes my light won't come on until I pull forward. The light should come on when the collar is moved if you have the J shifter. I can move the lever anywhere and the light will stay off until the ADD engages. My ADD motor is vacuum and has the canister in the wheel well. Yours should be electric. You may have a wire loose or the motor is gummed up.

View attachment 69861
Click to expand...
Maybe its different cause yours is older but I have no ADD (my truck has dana 60) and my light comes on when I shift into 4wd.
 
lewis said:
Maybe its different cause yours is older but I have no ADD (my truck has dana 60) and my light comes on when I shift into 4wd.
Click to expand...

Yours is different with the push button. The plain J shifter ones are based on the actuator.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top