2003 Toyota tacoma 4wd problems

[joker2041]

Hey folks, I replaced my drivers side front axle 2 weeks ago and this morning due to the crappy weather I was going to utilize my 4wd. When I engaged the 4wd with my floor shifter, no indicator light appeared and the front did not engage. I then went to a parking lot and placed my truck in 4lo and the front would still not engage and the indicator light did not appear. There are no odd noises and I checked the 4wd fuse in the cab.

Does anyone know of anything it could be?

 

[washington taco]

Should be mechanical engagement my 2000 is. When you dive with the 4X engaged and turn left or right can you feel the stearing wheel tug? Maybe a dash light out.

 

[joker2041]

Its def. More than a dash light out. I took it in a empty parking lot and did drive it around in sharp turns and the front was not pulling. It would also spin freely like its in 2 wheel drive.

 

[keezer37]

I'm not familiar with this particular truck but was looking around the on line manual. Is this a 3RZ-FE or 5VZ-FE?
Will your selector flash/have a warning buzzer?

 

[alexrex20]

i think your truck has automatic front hubs. did you put everything back together correctly, after replacing the CV axle?

 

[joker2041]

My truck is the 3.4 with the 4wd floor shifter. It has a indicator light for the four wheel drive. Its a TRD with the rear elocker. The front was put back together correctly im pretty sure as the only thing that came apart was the lower ball joint, the shock, and then the cv was unbolted of course and then the new onr slid in to place and everything bolted back up. Like i said before, the transfer case is going in to low range fine. There are no noises as to something being wrong, therefore i would assume that there has to be some kind of selonoid or actuator if the front hubs are automatic???? Which makes me think that this is why the front is not engaging even though the transfer case appears to be working fine.

 

[keezer37]

Do you have a grey six pin connector on the upper right side of your front diff? If so, inspect it and wires going into it for damage, open it, clean it with CRC contact cleaner.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Unless you have the rare Aisin hubs, then you don't have locking hubs at all, automatic, etc. The front axle control is by the ADD which is located next to the front diff and the CV attaches direct to the wheel hub with zero disconnect provisions.

This system utilizes a switch on the t-case (which senses your shifter location), it then sends a signal to the ADD to engage. Your issue could be the switch (mine has been sticky), the wiring in between (such as the connector mentioned above) or a failure with the ADD.

The FSM has testing procedures:
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/index.html

Start here:
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/sa/acsy14wd/loca.pdf

 

[xcmountain80]

Yes this sounds like an electric issue for sure.

A

 

[Pikeman]

Check the electrical connections and then check for proper vacuum at the VSV's.

 

[keezer37]

If you have a multimeter, you can check whether to move toward the switch or actuator.
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repair_Manual/03tacoma/tr/ot24ssy/insp.pdf

 

[xcmountain80]

Check the electrical connections and then check for proper vacuum at the VSV's.

Almost forgot about the vacuum system, yes that can be an issue as well. My brothers fell off or was pulled off and same issue no 4wd.

A

 

[joker2041]

Thanks for all the Help guys!

It happened to be the front differential actuator. Fortunately it is covered under warranty, so the stealership is going to fix it. $336 bucks for actuator and 5 hours labor they say.......

Me $100 deductible. Thank God.

 

[trump]

Wow! 5 hours labor! :Wow1: Guess the 15 minutes it took me to change mine with hand tools in a gravel driveway is not typical.

 

[joker2041]

So the saga continues...........

The Stealership calls me today and states that the actuator is on backorder and they do not know the lead time on the part. So with all these wonderful winter weather fronts coming in, I have no 4WD. If I could track the part down myself I would still be better off having the dealership fix it, because my deductible is $100 and the part is $336. I find it pretty pathetic that Toyota cant supply crucial parts for there vehicles.