Skrillah

Hey guys,

I'm trying to help my boss with her 2003 4runner 4x4, she tried to engage her 4wd for our first snow fall today and the light just blinked and she could tell that it hadn't engaged. She went and had it tested at the dealer and they told her the front actuator had gone bad, apparently, she hadn't driven it with 4wd since last winter (didn't follow the monthly 4wd rule) and the dealer says her actuator has frozen up now....does this seem right?

I own a 3rd gen, so i'm not too familiar at where her actuator is located or anything.

I'd appreciate the help, plus I might be able to get a raise out of this so help a brother out!!

Thanks guys!
Kyle

littlerunner

try this.have her enguage it at speed of about 20-30 mph.if it doesnt go in slow to a stop then put in reverse.back up just a few feet then pull forward again.it may just be sticking a bit.actuators dont give much trouble but occasionally they do.we had a cust with a seqouia & the cust had trouble making it go into 4wd.went in every time for me at the speed i said above.if much faster,say 40-45 would have to slow down.soon as slowed would go in.the card on her driver sunvisor may be of some help also.it may need an actuator for real but i wld try that first.and dependin on miles i think that is a powertrain part which means 5year 60,000 mile warranty

Skrillah

Ok thanks, another weird thing is that it'd go into 4-low but not 4-high....which is kind of weird if you ask me...?

Skrillah

Well it turns out the actuator is bad, 4 lo didn't work. She thought it did but it does the same thing the 4 hi does which is it just blinks and doesn't engage. $1500 repair!