Hey guys, maybe you can help me out. This last weekend I was up in the snow with my 1993 toy P/U, put it in 4WD but i was still slipping all over the place. I put it in 4 low, I could hear the truck bear down, but still couldnt get traction, on an area I should have been able to easy (snowy paved road). First, my 4wd light is burned out, but I can hear the relay engage when I shift into 4H or 4L. The next morning, it was cold, mid 20s, I put it in 1st, 2wd, and the truck wouldnt move. Then I put it in 4H, 1st gear, it still wouldnt move, I gave it more gas and heard the clutch spinning, but the tires were not moving, same in 2wd. I guess what I am asking is, can a worn out clutch cause the problem with my 2 front tires not engaging when I put it in 4wd? my back tires were spinning when I was on the icy road, but I am assuming the two front were not spinning. Any good ideas to check out the source of my problem with the 4wd? I was thinking it could be alot of things, maybe u joints? transfer case? Seems to be confusing because I can hear the truck bear down in 4L, but doesnt seem to be working.

Oh, one other thing, I noticed sometimes it is hard to put into gear even though clutch is depressed.

 

First, bear down? I think you mean that the truck moves more slowly but has more torque? Anyway, low range is a gear set in the transfer case and at least you can rule out the low range not working since it appears to be fine.

I take it you have the ADD set up? It sounds like either one front and one rear tire were spinning but you didn't know it or the ADD system isn't engaging the front stub axle. If you have manual hubs make sure they were engaged.

I would put the truck on jack stands and put it into 4wd. Just let it idle in gear and see what spins. If at least one of the front wheels doesn't spin, and the drive shaft DOES spin, the add actuator is malfunctioning. If the drive shaft doesn't spin you have bigger issues within the transfer case most likely. You can use a hand vacuum pump from an auto parts store to see if you can actuate the ADD solenoid. If so then the solenoid under the hood is likely bad. Check the FSM link on this site for pics/locations of these parts and other info.

Frank

 

Thanks for the feedback, I will check those things out, yes it is automatic locking, and I can hear the relay as i shift into 4wd, not sure it is engaging, or if it can have to do with the clutch, think it can be the clutch?

You know, I was also having a problem with my cruise control, i used the manual for 93 pu service manual from N. Buchanon http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/
and figured out the vaccum hose to the cruise actuator was disconneced, I wonder if this hose being loose had an effect on the 4wd?

 

If it's the clutch, your truck won't move period because no torque will make it to the transmission. Power flow goes from the engine, to the trans, to the transfercase, to the diffs, and to the wheels.

Frank

 

well, in the morning when it was cold, the truck wouldnt move, in 4wd or not, the clutch just spun, when the weather warmed up, it worked ok. Not sure this could have contributed to the 4wd not working earlier in the day. I guess i will check out the acuator, and solenoids, maybe a loose vaccum hose to solenoid if I am lucky.

 

What do you mean by spun? You mean you put it in gear, let out the clutch, and not one wheel spun?

Frank

 

yes, not one wheel spun, but I could hear the clutch, or flywheel turning or spinning, but the wheels wouldnt move. After the day warmed up it wasnt a problem. I checked further into it today after fixing the vaccum leak to the cruise control acuator, I left the truck in 2wd, and could turn the driveshaft to the front differential with my hand, then i put it in 4H, and tried it again and I could not turn the driveshaft. What does this tell me? well maybe I dont have a problem with my transfer case, but I could still have a problem with the actuator. I guess I need to jack the car up and see if the wheels turn.

 

check your vacuum lines and 4wd vsv's. Ive seen the vacuum lines get burned by the exhaust or get switched around

 

If not one wheel spun in gear with the engine running and clutch pedal out your clutch is shot. It's a bummer but it happens.

Frank

 

Thanks, for all your input, I have had the truck since it was new, and hate to get rid of it, its been good to me; hopefully I can keep it going, has 250,000 on it now.

 

If you have gotten 250,000 miles out of your clutch that is excellent. I would say have it fixed and keep the truck going. If you do it yourself it will be less but if you take it to a shop I'd say unless you already have one you like to use an independent Toyota service type of place.

Frank