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I'm stuck in 4hi don't know what's wrong?

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Yoda v8, Jul 26, 2017.

  1. Jul 26, 2017 at 7:49 PM
    #1
    Yoda v8

    Yoda v8 [OP] New Member

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    My 05' 4runner was repaired but couldn't be fixed fully cause they said they needed toyota scan tools to properly diagnose the problem. Guy tells me its in 4hi and its okay to drive but will be tight to turn. 4lo light stays on, switching the 4wd control does nothing. Shop replaced a 4wd controller already & need to save some money by fixing this myself but don't know where to start?
     
  2. Jul 27, 2017 at 5:18 PM
    #2
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    what does it do when you try to switch back to 2wd? just flash?
     
  3. Jul 27, 2017 at 11:47 PM
    #3
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    try disconnecting your battery cable leave them off for 20 min with the lights turned on this will reset the computer it might do the trick hope this helps. LARRY B.
     
    Yoda v8[OP] likes this.
  4. Jul 28, 2017 at 12:30 PM
    #4
    drunner

    drunner New Member

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    Sig says V8, it's always in 4hi. :boink:
     
  5. Jul 28, 2017 at 12:33 PM
    #5
    drunner

    drunner New Member

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    You're a V8, so you're full time AWD. What's actually stuck on? 4Lo or Center Diff lock? If it's the center diff lock I wouldn't drive it on pavement. If it's 4lo then you're going to be driving slowly and I wouldn't drive it anyway.
     
  6. Jul 28, 2017 at 1:41 PM
    #6
    Yoda v8

    Yoda v8 [OP] New Member

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    Think it's the diff. Lock cause it was tight to turn so I went to work one day and now parked it. Can't get it in to toyota till next wed.
     
  7. Jul 28, 2017 at 1:55 PM
    #7
    drunner

    drunner New Member

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    Sounds like it, that's a lot of extra strain on the axles when you're turning on pavement. You could try pushing the button and driving forward/reverse a bunch of times in a straight line.
     
  8. Jul 29, 2017 at 1:11 AM
    #8
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    go to you tube there is a 3 part tutorial on how to fix the problem.just put in how to fix 4th gen stuck in 4 low. LARRY B.
     
  9. Jul 29, 2017 at 1:41 PM
    #9
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    my bad! reading comprehension was never my strong suit
     
  10. Sep 8, 2017 at 4:05 PM
    #10
    freealfin

    freealfin New Member

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    I have driven in 4 HI since I got my 07.....105000 miles. The car handles better, the tires wear more evenly, the wear in the rear drive components is less and there's no pulling. 4HI is like an "all wheel drive".....no wheel locking.
     
  11. Oct 5, 2017 at 7:06 PM
    #11
    toyota_TX

    toyota_TX New Member

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    4H is the normal condition, optionally you can press the diff lock button, you'll know that is engaged when turning becomes choppy on pavement, meant only for off road or snow use. If it were really stuck in 4L is would over rev horribly. Check manual for how to jog it out of low if stuck. The "AWD" is a misnomer, it is 4WD with most power to the rear until slippage occurs, there is slippage inside the transfer case causing less power to the front, but as the temp in this coupling increases, the slippage reduces allowing more power to the front. The dif lock bypasses the slip coupling and locks front and rear to a 50/50 power ratio. If you can't get it to switch between H&L. problem is more likely in the actuator than the 4WD ECU. they can grt the TS software and adapter on ebay now for 25 bucks, just got mine, and hope to fix my actuator timing issue with it. Tried to fix the actuator leak issue, and no one really knows how to retime these once pulled apart.
     
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  12. Oct 6, 2017 at 8:00 AM
    #12
    freealfin

    freealfin New Member

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  13. Oct 6, 2017 at 8:03 AM
    #13
    freealfin

    freealfin New Member

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    There's a lot of miss information being written about your post. I don't know what the problems is but let me clarify a few things.
    I have a 4WD 6 cyl. 2007 so what Im going to say relates to this specific 4th gen 4Runner
     
  14. Oct 6, 2017 at 8:08 AM
    #14
    freealfin

    freealfin New Member

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    There are 4 drive modes: 2H, 4H, 2L and Diff. lock. You can drive all day and for many years in 2H and 4H with no detrimental effect. 4H actually improves many things. In a previous post I mentioned that I have driven over 100000 miles in 4H. 4H without D-lock is the equivalent of today's All Wheel Drive (AWD) cars. 2L with DL is the traditional 4 wheel drive and you use that to crawl in very rough terrain. Steering will be affected.
    If I was you, and my resources were limited, I'll just forget about fixing it.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2017
  15. Oct 6, 2017 at 6:26 PM
    #15
    toyota_TX

    toyota_TX New Member

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    i'll be a little more specific, your right about all the mis info, I refer to the V8 gen4, you get 4H as normal operation, and selectable 4L, + the transfer case diff lock in either mode.(and front axle diff lock to boot) This is not considered AWD, per Toyota marketing department it is "full-time 4WD "
     

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