Tundra with 4 Low not working, need help

[Bamagirl]

I had an issue with my 03 Tundra with 4 low not engaging this weekend while riding at Windrock. If it makes a difference the 4 Hi works and I can hear it engage and disengage when I press the button so this tells me things are moving correctly in there but something isn't telling the 4 low to engage. I've tried putting it in park and pressing the 4 low, I have tried putting it in neutral and pressing it, and then I have even had it in 4hi and pushing the 4 low and it starts blinking orange and making a beeping sound.
Anybody had this issue? Could it being electrical or maybe a fuse? What type of shop should it be taken to because unless its wear items replaced or maintenance items, the truck doesn't visit a mechanic other than a shade tree mechanic?

Just thought I would take a chance and ask to see if any one had any experience with this.

 

[zidaro]

without being there to play with it, i don't have any ideas. sorry.
I do know it does need to be in neutral to engage the 4low. Not moving. It is an electrical solenoid, maybe it needs replace? or ???

keep us updated on the solution.

 

[Desert Dan]

Did it work properly before?

My 4R with an automatic needs to be in neutral to be shifted into low range.

 

[Bamagirl]

I've had it for 8 years and it used to work. I never really needed it until Friday when I was on the trail and was needed to crawl slow over a rocky section. On the farm or in wet grass I just usually hit the hi button and keep on trucking. With its age and this reaching so many others I thought someone else might of experienced the same thing.

I grew up with an old chevy with the 4wd in the floor and I had to put it in neutral and get the gear in just the right spot.....can't do that with the button.

 

[toylandcruiser]

I've had it for 8 years and it used to work. I never really needed it until Friday when I was on the trail and was needed to crawl slow over a rocky section. On the farm or in wet grass I just usually hit the hi button and keep on trucking. With its age and this reaching so many others I thought someone else might of experienced the same thing.

I grew up with an old chevy with the 4wd in the floor and I had to put it in neutral and get the gear in just the right spot.....can't do that with the button.

Not using it has made it freeze. You should every couple months engage it.


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[calicamper]

Needs to be in neutral and you may need to sit a sec and let the idle settle down. If the AC is on and idle is high that might delay the effort some. At least thats what I've noticed in my 07 Sequoia with the same system. I try to cycle it every few months.

 

[seanpistol]

Do you know how to put the truck in 4 lo? Has to be in 4 hi, which you engage while in drive and while rolling. Then when in 4 hi and at a complete stop, you shift into neutral, then hit the 4 lo button. To get out is the reverse process.

 

[Watt maker]

I will also add that it may help to be very slowly rolling, like 0.5 mph. That trick seems to help my 2008 4runner when it's being finicky.

The other thing you can do is take a rubber mallet and lightly tap the actuator on the transfer case. Note- because the t-case actuator is having signs of sticking, this trick may help get it in 4lo but the t-case may get stuck in 4lo. So only do this when you have some time on your hands in case it does get stuck in 4lo.

 

[Bamagirl]

Needs to be in neutral and you may need to sit a sec and let the idle settle down. If the AC is on and idle is high that might delay the effort some. At least thats what I've noticed in my 07 Sequoia with the same system. I try to cycle it every few months.

I will try this again. Mine does idle high sometimes and I think the air was on. One of the guys in our group suggested I try to engage it while I was moving and going down the trail that it may be in a bind and need to be less stress. I have even tried putting it in neutral and keep it rolling and see if it would engage that way.
I'm going to try these tips and see if it makes any difference.

I also know it is supposed to be used every so often and I have allowed time to get away from me and haven't done it on a regular basis.

 

[uscg2008]

Ya def for toyotas you need to stop and then shift to neutral before shifting to 4lo. If that doesn't work then you may need to take the ADD out of the front diff and see if it needs to be cleaned out or replaced. Toyota ADDs (4wd actuators) are prone to water intrusion which will cause failure. But, it's def an easy fix that I have done a couple times on my 2nd gen Tacoma. My cousin is a Toyota tech and he says that all toyotas should have their 4wd actuators and systems acutuated atleast once a month.

 

[seanpistol]

You. Don't. Put. It. In. 4. Lo. While. Moving.

 

[Bamagirl]

You. Don't. Put. It. In. 4. Lo. While. Moving.

Got it!!

 

[uscg2008]

Yes that would be a bad idea

 

[Bamagirl]

Update
Took the Tundra in to have a couple recalls done on it today and had them check out the 4 low issue. They checked it out and found no issues with it and like the above mentioned has to be engaged in the correct order to engage 4 low. When I got home I tried it in the driveway and it engaged correctly. Thankful it wasn't broke and thanks to those that posted to give the correct order to engage it.

 

[01tundra]

The time mine wouldn't engage in 4W LO I was at Windrock as well......mine ended up being a cracked low range gear in the t-case.......then there was the broken front pinion shaft, pretzeled rear drive shaft, broken mirror, crushed fender.....I'm pretty sure Windrock hates Tundras