Hey guys, recently I picked up a non-running 4runner for $600. Put in a new fuel pump, and it started right up. I just did almost all the maintenance stuff just yesterday as well. Anyways, it has one problem that I can't figure out at all. I'm not knowledgeable in automatics or how they run, especially this transfer case that runs on dex III is new to me.

1992 4Runner 4WD V6 w/ automatic
Problem: When front driveshaft is connected the 4runner won't move at all.

Here's what I know so far:

* The front ADD diff is perfectly fine, shifts fine, the pinion is moveable by hand and of course drives the front passenger tire like it should.

* I can't turn the Output shaft on the transfer case by hand at all. I currently have all 4 wheels off the ground. Even tapped it with a hammer.

* When I put the 4runner in drive, the transfer case output shaft still doesn't move, this also applies when it's in 4L or 4H. The automatics don't have a neutral for the 4WD Lever. Don't know if the transfer case on automatics should be moving with the rear output in real time or not.

* The linkage to the lever is connected and shifting to it's correct points.

* I changed out the fluid and same problem.

* Looks like someone was there before me, and has done some sort of electrical work to it. There was butt connectors on there, and I was able to pull em out by hand. So I went ahead and soldered them and reconnected a plug that had become unplugged.

One of my bigger questions is, what are do these electrical components even do? I can't find any info on the FSM, and everything I search on google is related to ADD problems.

 

Is it the front output on the case that won't move? Or both front and rear outputs?

 

Front output won't move. Rear output works fine, drive it to work and back just bout everyday.

 

Sounds like something broke inside the transfer case in the drive to the front output and jammed it up. Possibly the front drive chain broke and is all balled up in the bottom of the case jamming the front driven gear.

Looks like dismantling a transfer case is in your future. Unfortunately it's all integrated with the transmission, so I don't think it's an easy job.

Here's a link to an autoshop101 article about how the xfer case works.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/AT09.pdf

And here's a link to the FSM pages for the auto tranny.
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...autotrans.html

Good luck, and have fun!

 

Thanks for the links man, it's much appreciated. I had the same thought, but didn't know if it was operated by a chain off the main shaft. The transfer taking dextron III really threw me off.

Oh, and thanks for the trans ID. Didn't know there were that many variations of the auto. Man, this is really gonna be over my head. Better start hittin the books.

 

Welp, taking apart the back of the transfer case looks easy, too bad the chain is $600! Guess I'll get some chains, and pray mother nature goes easy on me this winter lol

 

If you're strapped for cash and there are auto wreckers nearby, I'd recommend checking them out. They've been a godsend for parts for my truck.