My 4L hasn't worked since I got the truck ('91 Runner), never got around to figuring it out. When I would put it in 4L it would just act the same as 4H, would stay in 4WD but wouldn't have the gearing...not in 4L.

Anyway, I was out the other night playing around in the snow and I threw it down into 4L for the hell of it and of course it didn't work, so I left it in 4L and just kept romping around....then all of a sudden at like 20mph the whole truck jerks and the RPM's fly up.....and I knew it had just kicked into 4L.

I drove around real slow in 4L for a few minutes and then shifted back into High and drove for a few minutes. Then shifted back into 4L and it didn't go back in....drove for about 10 feet and it dropped right into 4L.

I kept driving around and going back and forth between 4H and 4L....and the more I did it, it just kept getting better. Now it will drop into 4L as soon as I shift it in.....so it's fixed!!

So what is the deal? Was the 4L solenoid sticking and just needed to be used and unstuck?

 

The automatic transmission is paired with a hydraulically controlled transfer case whereas the manual is paired with transfer case that is engaged in a manner similar to gear changing in a manual transmission. It would be helpful to know what you have to (engine, tranny, year) in order to diagnose the problem.

 

Oh sorry about that. '91 4Runner, 3.0, Auto.

Yeah I used to have an '88 and a '91 pickup with a 5spd and the 3.0 and I noticed the transfer case shifter was an actual shifter rather than an electrical switch basically, like in the Auto.

 

bump^^

 

Nobody huh?

 

it could have been gunked up and when you were driving around with it in 4L you could have broken it loose my advice would be to change the xcase fluid drive it around for about a week or two then change it again and that should help you

 

definitely change the fluid. even if it looks good, change it.
Whatever was keeping it from engaging has apparently passed through the system and you don't want it back in there later.

 

Good advise, I'll be changing it this weekend.

If I'm not mistaken the Xcase takes ATF on the Automatics, correct?

 

yes it does

 

son of a... is that why my x-case has developed a slow seepage at the rear seal ever since I changed the fluid? what's suppose to go in a 91 PU stick shift? I read 80w90

or is the ATF only applying to autos

 

I put 80w90 in mine it is a manual though and a 87 don't know if that makes a difference. I could swear that is what the haynes book said.

 

for manuals it is different the toyota service manual says it takes ATF DEXRON 2 with an automatic trans

 

ATF seems a little thinner than the 80W90 in used in T cases (i think) and diffs.

 

I was just curious; afterall, our PS pumps don't take PS fluid