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4 Low actuator not engaging on 08 4Runner V6 4WD

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by netslacker, Jan 27, 2018.

  1. Jan 27, 2018 at 5:41 PM
    #1
    netslacker

    netslacker [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2018
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    Ok, considering an 08 4Runner Limited V6 4WD. The problem it has is that it will not engage 4Lo. Bring it to a full stop, put the transmission into Neutral and turn to 4Lo. The light blinks but it never engages. I tried a few times but nothing. If you put it into gear it'll give the warning beeps while 4Low light continues to blink. Went for another drive and tried again, still can't get it into 4Lo.

    I've read that some get it to work eventually. Wondering how likely this is resolvable for little to no cost or if this is going to be very expensive. Any thoughts or insight?
     
  2. Jan 31, 2018 at 12:43 PM
    #2
    mrseth

    mrseth New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
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    First Name:
    Seth
    Vehicle:
    2004 Limited v8
    3" Rancho, 2.5" Delrin BL, 1.5" Supreme Spacer Lift, 35" Cooper MTP, Chopped Fenders, Racing buckets, 1.5" Spidertrax
    This may sound stupid... but it worked for me. Over time, if 4LO isn't used, the fluid can make the actuator stick... Put it in neutral, put on your parking brake and smack the actuator with a rubber mallet. Once it was in 4LO, I went in reverse, then drive, then reverse, then drive, then neutral and switched to 4HI and back to 4LO and it engaged.
     
  3. Aug 28, 2018 at 12:38 PM
    #3
    Diego

    Diego New Member

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    First Name:
    Diego
    Norcal
    Vehicle:
    White 4th gen 4runner
    Just fixed mine yesterday after months of trying. You just gotta beat the piss out of the black actuator with a mallet.
     
  4. Aug 30, 2018 at 7:03 PM
    #4
    Big Red 4Runner

    Big Red 4Runner New Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2018
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    Vehicle:
    Dark red 2008 4Runner
    Earlier this summer, I bought an '08 with a tad over 62k miles on it. I'm not sure if any of those miles were off-road! And I also highly doubt 4lo was ever used as well! As you can imagine, my truck did NOT want to go into 4lo!

    A buddy suggested I try this method: on the top of a hill out in the country, go through the proper procedure to engage the 4lo per the instructions in the owners manual. With the gear shift in neutral, allow the vehicle to roll backwards a short distance and turn switch to 4lo. I had to try it a couple of times, but when I did it the second time, I heard a very distinct "clunk", which we could also feel. When I shifted into drive, the error beeping was gone and 4lo was engaged. Give it a shot!
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2018

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