4Runner4Trail

Alright guys....well today I was really bored so I went to where I go hunting some and drove on the 'trails'. I quote trails b/c its nothing really hard...need 4wd to cross a creek or two, but mainly ground clearance would be the only issue with taking a car back there. Anyways, just wanted to get the Runner a lil muddy and there are a few mud holes so I went through them and what not fine. I was driving along and saw a path off to the side that looked like a few Jeep guys had been down and there was a nice steep lil hill (about a 4runner and a half long) at the beginning. I start going up it in 4LO and locked and then all of a sudden the RPM's shot up and my truck just started rolling backwards like it was in neutral. I put on the brakes and put it in park and it still started rolling back.

So here's the problem: When I'm in 2WD, the truck drives fine but there is a slight noise coming from the front (like a faint clunk sorta). When I engage into 4wd (locked or not) the car acts as if its in neutral (doesn't matter if im in p,r, or d) and there is just a spinning noise at the front.

I'm thinking transfer case, but how could this have happened? If it makes any difference, I'm running the OME 890/891 setup w/ no diff breather, no CV joint mods or anything else....just 305/70/16 MTs

James Dean

Does it do it in 4HI and 4LO or just in 4LO?

FullXTR

I agree with you. I think the transfer case is the only thing it could be. If you are driving along ok in 2wd, and shift between P-R-N-D fine, then that eliminates transmission, and also eliminates front and rear ends. If 4wd isn't engaging, I'd say it's transfer case related. However, that still doesn't narrow it down between mechanical or electrical. You didn't say you heard anything blow up, so that kinda makes me think that it's not the case itself. Maybe an electrical problem?

Godzilla

as asked does it happen in 4Hi too? sounds like your transfer case was in neutral and not in 4Lo

Ritzy4Runner

iTrader: (1)

Not too savy on the 2002 but what sort of transfer case shifting do you have? Is it strictly electrical or do you manually shift a lever to engage the 4x4 system? What indications on the Instrument cluster do you have when you select 4x4? Do you get the 4x4 indication? If 2x4 is working like stated then the issue is with the transfer case. You may have a transfer case selector switch issue. Something in there is not allowing complete engagement of the drive line. I had a similar issue but mine was that the 4x4 would not engage at all. I would select 4x4 either hi or lo and I was still in 4x2. Let us know any of the other indicators and respond to the other questions so more can be determined.

4Runner4Trail

It happens when in 4HI or 4LO. I've played with it a bit more, and when Im in 2WD and in any gear besides neutral, when I push the 4WD button, there is a terrible grinding sound and then the car is basically in neutral. When I do this in neutral, it acts as if the 4WD engages fine. It's not electrical. When its in 4WD, the lights on the dash are normal, etc. (they are supposed to flash if there is a problem w/ the system). So, I'm guessing its transfer case. Are there any good aftermarket options for transfer cases, or is the factory one really the only option?

4Runner4Trail

the 2002's have a manual lever to select b/t 4HI and 4LO. The lever is always in 4HI as the 4WD system in the 2002 4Runner (A-TRAC) can be used at all times (no binding when turning, etc.) I do not run it in 4WD at all times tho. To engage 4WD, there is an electronic button on the lever that you push. When I push this button, my 4WD lights come on normally but there grinding sound is there and when I'm in any gear besides neutral, the car acts like its in neutral (won't go anywhere) but I can hear something spinning and grinding like its trying to engage. When I put my truck in N and shift from 4HI to 4LO it is smooth. However, when I try to get back into 4HI, there is grinding and resistance and I have to slam it into 4HI....

Adam F

Sounds like a broken chain or sprocket in the transfer case.

First thing I'd do is drain the fluid and look for shiny bits.

4Runner4Trail

Ok, feel like a dummy, but anyways, the grinding noise I'm hearing was the passenger CV axle popped out of the front wheel.

So now my question is, did I still mess up something in the transfer case if the truck is acting like its in neutral when it in 4WD?