I've had trouble getting out of 4lo myself. I don't use it often enough to know it's a problem though.

 

I searched and couldn't find the answer. I have a 2007 v6 dc sb 4x4 w/ 30k miles and previous to last night have only used 4 hi once a month to keep it working. I took it offroad last night and switched into 4 lo. I took it easy for about 5-10 minutes, then had some fun doing some hill climbs etc. When all was said and done I went to leave and tried to switch back to 4 hi, but the 4lo light just blinked and beeped. After driving 7 miles @ 20 mph, I finally got it to switch out. It's still under warranty, so I may just take it to the dealer, but I would rather not. Any ideas?

thanks,

Steve

Can you describe the steps you took to try to get 4L to disengage?

 

reply

I slowed to a crawl, put the truck in neutral, switched to 4 hi, just beeped. Put it in drive went forward a couple of feet, stopped, put it in neutral, went in reverse a couple of feet, still beeping. Switched back to 4 lo went forward again, put it in neutral tried to switch to 4 hi, beeped again. Basically went on and on trying forward, reverse, 4 hi, 4 lo, stopped, moving, etc. After 7 miles of driving home at 20 mph, I tried it one last time at a stop light. Truck stopped, put it in neutral switch to 4 hi and it went. Switched to hi 2 and drove home.

 

4Lo is difficult to use if you dont use it very much. The truck must be completely stopped with the clutch fully engaged or in park or neutral. Then you can switch to 4LO from 4HI. If you have never used it it will take a bit to get it to work. These need to be broken in. When you do get it to work, keep switching it in and out of 4LO to break it in. I had the same problems at first but after working with it a few times it goes in and out perfectly.

 

sweet, yeah, this is the first time I used 4 lo. I was just scared to try to put it in 4 lo again for fear of not being able to get it out.

 

It will come out, like others have said, the more you use it the easier it will be coming out.

 

tried it again a few times, and goes in and out like butter. changed the diff fluids yesterday, and nothing noteworthy in the magnets. Seems good to go. Thanks for the help.

 

When I first got my Tacoma 2 years ago, I also had problems getting the 4Lo to engage/disengage. But like others here have said, the more you use it, the easier and quicker it will switch in and out.
I don't know why. I guess it has to break-in or something.
Now it just kicks in and out whenever I want it too.
Just keep using it. It'll work fine after awhile.

 

4L won't engage

After reading this thread my challenge is just to get it into 4L so I can exercise it a bit. I bought my 2009 SR5 in July and have a Homesteader plow on it. We got some snow last night and its the first chance I've had to use 4L and numerous back and forths in the driveway, stopped, neutral, clutch in etc and it still won't engage. 4LO light flashing and beeping the whole time. I'll continue to try it today. :headbang:

 

Follow the procedure on the card in the visor (which it sounds like you already are) and it will eventually go in.

My one suggestion would be, let the truck slightly roll while you try to engage/disengage 4Lo. I also had to go in reverse a few feet each time when my truck was brand new.

If you continue to have problems with it, it might be worth a trip to the dealership to make sure it isn't something more serious going on.

Edit: I just drove my truck up and down the street infront of my work, my 4Lo takes about a second to engage now, and about the same to disengage from a dead stop in neutral. So just keep working with it and get it broken in and you should have no problems with it in the future.

 

Finally got it into 4Lo

I took my truck out for a good warm up ride. Engines warm up quickly, Differentials and transfers cases take much longer. Sure enough after 5 or six miles I pulled over and finally got it to engage. Took a while longer to get it to disengage as others mentioned but went a few more miles and got it in and then out again so its starting to loosen up! I guess I'll be taking her out for a warm up run and a coffee before I start plowing next time! Kinda like your first date!! :lol:

 

theiglurides, it takes a while the first few times going out of 4lo and even 4hi. When it's this cold out it slows the parts down as well. When it snowed here on Saturday I was doing about 20 and tried to put the truck in 4hi and it took a good minute or two before it engaged. May want to try breaking it in on a warmer day and if that doesn't help then off to the dealer

 

Good thing the "OP" has the Sport and not the Off-road, otherwise we would be hearing about how he can't get the locker to engage/disengage.

One more issue with electronic switches vs manual.

 

Good thing the "OP" has the Sport and not the Off-road, otherwise we would be hearing about how he can't get the locker to engage/disengage.

One more issue with electronic switches vs manual.

I have zero issues going into 4wd and locking my rear diff. It is all about using it. If you don't use it very often it is going to take it a while to engage. My 4wd engages in less than 3 seconds, same with 4Lo, the locking rear diff takes about 5-10, and I am rolling slowly either forward or in reverse during that time to aid in lining up all the components.

 

Ha I engaged my 4lo in my gravel parking lot at work. I couldn't disengage it for close to 20 mins. I was getting nervous.

 

4Lo engagement challenge

I have been trying it more often and engaging is getting better although getting it out of 4Lo is a mistery. As others suggested, follow procedures to the letter, go real slow, etc but nothing consistent. I stopped for a moment after several attempts and all of a sudden it popped out. Time for off-roading at least twice a month until it gets loosened up. Thanks to all for the comments. I don't think the dealer can do much to improve a long break in period. I also thought of switching to synthetic which does not thicken up in the low temperatures and maybe that will help it.
later

 

This is a trick I used on my older truck (F150)

to disengage 4hi or 4low, you had to come to a stop, put it in reverse and start to roll ever so slightly backwards, as the truck is rolling, Press your clutch in (if manual) and move the switch to 2WD, and it would work EVERYTIME. Reason being, is that the drivetrain needs to line up to disengage properly, otherwise you would get a loud POP noise from binding.

Now, having said this, I don't have this issue with my 09 tacoma... You may want to try this technique, as I am sure it will probably work for you... Same physical concept applies.

 

Having owned a 1972 fj40 for a number of years, I can honestly say I MUCH prefer manual rather than electronic engagement of both the hubs and 4 low. It's a joke that we have to fiddle with it to engage it properly. It should just work. And when something doesn't work, it's an absolute mystery until you take it to the shop. But....people are lazy and there is a market for it.

 

The first time I tried to use it on mine, I thought it was broken. I was moving back and forth and coming to stops, switching back and forth, nothing. Turned out my only problem was I wasn't pushing the clutch in far enough for it. It seems to want the clutch to the floor to go into 4 Lo. I've never had a single issue with it since I figured that out.

 

If it is causing problems, try driving left and right- serpentine! work the steering wheel, so the f and r axles are turning at different rates.

Going around corners your 2 rear axles also turn at different speeds. These differences can help the slider gears (locking diff) mate and demate.

 

I know this is old but I have found holding the brake pedal, truck in neutral, then turn switch to 4HI to 4lo works perfect everytime for me. I had same issues as above ...DAM THAT BEEP! I have a 2006 TRD Sport v6 and auto 4wd