Wheels lock up (no power) in 4wheel Low

[wxsquirrel]

Have: 98 runner, sr5, 65k miles, 5spd manual, 4wd.

When I am in 4WD Low, and I turn sharply at slow speeds, my steering/wheels lock up. That is: engine on, am able to turn wheel, but wheels will not spin! Am able to rev RPMS to 4.5k to 5k but i will not budge. sometimes, putting yota in reverse remedies situation. usually have to turn car off, count to 5, restart, then fiddle with shifter and/or 4wd shifter. sometimes after excessive engine revving (in 1st gear) power suddenly reapplies to axle and am able to roll again. I don't get it!?!
very annoying, and usually problematic as when i am in 4wd lo the situation requires that i do not stop and need to be able to continue my momentum. help!

-skwerl

[96camry4dr]

maybe you are just burning out the clutch

[AfterShock]

what kind of surface are you driving on when this happens? Because "4WD Low" and "turning sharply" should not normally be used in the same sentence

[wxsquirrel]

should also say this occurs when no turning involved. it's like the power from engine is not making it to the wheels. i.e. lost somewhere in drivetrain, clutch, tranny, or axle

very confused. this does not happen in 4W Hi, only 4W Lo.
i can't give more details or circumstances really. just that in 4W Lo, wheels will not turn even as i rev engine

[smasheromalley]

Do not use 4low on dry pavement. 4low is for loose surfaces only. You are binding the drivetrain and are going to break parts.

[Mr Tode]

Originally Posted by smasheromalley

Do not use 4low on dry pavement. 4low is for loose surfaces only. You are binding the drivetrain and are going to break parts.

A more in-depth discussion of what smasher is talking about: http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html

But, I've always wondered...is it OK to use 4WD-High on wet or lightly snow-covered pavement? Like a plowed road or some such?

[96camry4dr]

i wouldn't use 4hi on wet but on snow i don't see the problem. well atleast if the snow is completly covering the road. i had this issue in my new taco once. i was on a steep hill and stuck in 2wd. it is a dirt hill just fyi. i pu tit in 4hi and the thing stalled. 4 low and i ended up burning the clutch alittle as both front tries where stuck in a rut. couldn't spin the tires so it raped the clutch. i haven't had a problem since then though.

[banshee35]

Evidently, since you only have the problem in low range, that is the culprit, ie, you low range mechanism in your t-case is toast. Do you have auto hubs or manual? If man, put in low range without locking the hubs in and ease into it and see if it still binds. I'm betting your t-case is begging for an overhaul.

[wxsquirrel]

Banshee, i've got auto hubs. I was previously unaware of not using 4wd lo/hi on dry pavement. I would put the yota in 4wd once a month as recommend, but would just do it on the last 4-5 miles on the way home from work, so i think you're right. probably burned up t-case for 4wd. But, What is "low range mechanism" in the t-case? difficult/costly to replace? should i do it myself or take to dealership. Thanks

[nikita]

I would crawl underneath and make sure the linkage is adjusted properly. It sounds like 4-L may not be fully engaging, which would leave the t-case in neutral. Lever or push-button?

Driving in 4-H on pavement once in a while will not destroy anything. Read your owners manual. We had a 1974 Jeep with full-time 4WD and it was hard on U-joints, but it was engaged all the time, not a modern computer-controlled AWD system.