MattNuge

I just finished an engine swap in my 98 Runner (3.4L V6 4X4). Got it to turn over the first time with no CEL (not bad for a rookie). But I figured I'd run into a few problems and it wouldn't be perfect. Here are a couple that I'm having trouble with:

1. 4 wheel drive won't disengage.
2. Shifting gears (reverse, drive, neutral) is really rough, I can see the motor getting yanked up and down. Yes, it's an AT.
3. On test drive, there is hesitation in the shifting. It stays in gear and it takes a higher than normal RPM to get it to shift.

Thanks for your help.

Matt

jason191918

Not familiar with your 4wd system, but they all sound vacuum related.

Skrillah

I believe our 3rd gens use actuators for everything. So I don't think its vacuum related. Could be wrong on that though.

I'm assuming yours has an ECT function and/or overdrive? The tranny shifting weird could be related to that...?

Sorry I'm no more help but maybe those are good building blocks for someone else....?

Congrats on the swap...why'd you have to swap? Got any pics?

hross14

I would say so also--check to make sure the vacumn line to the 3rd member hold a vacumn and check to see that they are not reversed. I am not sure if reversing them makes a difference or not--but it is work a shot. It would seem all the your probs stem from not being able to get out of 4wd

jason191918

Isn't the actuator vacuum operated or is that just on my gen truck?

hross14

Yes, there is a vacumn acuator on or Rigs

MattNuge

Hmm, I'll try re-checking all the lines, hopefully that works.

Skrillah, broke a rod and shot the bearing cap through my bottom end. Per your request:

Justinvd

Is it the hubs for sure or maybe the t-case isnt ingaging?not really familiar with that system though

edzo

wow. last time I seen something like that was some punkz trying
to go through a puddle and forgot the puddle was 6 foot deep. engine drank
water and promptly grenaded

jason191918

Ouch...

hross14

Matt-- take a look at the lines first--just get a vacumn tester and pull vac from the side not attached to the Actuator. If it holds vac--then start taking a look at the wires going to the Diff and 4wd engagement. are they pinched and or cut? It worked prior to the install so broken parts or gremlins is probably not your problem. There is something that got tangled, cut, smashed, or not connected during the install. This is the not so fun part of wrenching.

Start easy they work up--If i had my new diff back i would take pictures for you--Its not the hubs dont worry about them--it is the Connections

This is how the system works--hubs are already connected like a FWD car. Everything except the front Driveshaft is connected--you put it in 4wd and a switch says i want 4wd-T-case is engaged and a signal is sent to the diff to actuate the vacumn switch (one used to connect the Drive Shaft. Boom you are 4 wheeling--the hestitation is probably your rig trying to over come the 4wd being engaged on pavement.

MattNuge

Thanks hross, that helps a lot.

Skrillah

Graphic. How many miles on it when that happened>?

hross14

Let us know what the problem was for s and giggles. Good luck

MattNuge

In all honesty, I'm not sure what the problem was. I pulled off all the hoses and put them back on just to make sure things were put on right. I guess that did the trick, fixed all of the above problems.

I do have one more though. My idle speed is running at above 1500 RPMs, I'm pretty sure I need to be running at around 800 RPM hot. Re-checked vac lines, all clean and attached, checked throttle assembly, all cables are fine, nothing is pulling or jammed. Easy fix is to adjust throttle screw, but read on different forums that that should be a last resort, if one at all. Thoughts???

Skrillah- 116K on old motor... yeah, just a baby, something that made me go hmm. Check all fluids before I left for Christmas, driving up a grade and the BOOM, that was the end of that. I'm guessing my oil pump malfunctioned and all hell broke loose.

hross14

Grab some carb cleaner and lightly spray around all the parts that suck air and vac lines. there might be a slight vacumn leak on one of the sealing surfaces. You will hear a change in the way it runs if there is a leak.

Good luck

FattyCBR

The idle problem could also be the air bypass valve on the throttle needing to be cleaned. Where are you located? I'm looking for a bad block.

Thanks,
Milan