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2002 Tundra 4wd not working

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by tdf4golf, Feb 18, 2022.

  1. Feb 18, 2022 at 10:06 AM
    #1
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    4wd hi light will come on, click as engaging but not engaging (no “clunk” sound). 4wd low light will not light up and no click sound. Engine was replaced at 313,000 last summer. Did not drive it much due to being away working. Never any trouble with 4wd until now. Not sure if when engine was replaced if something could had been disconnected or what to check. 4wd hi light comes on, does not blink, stays on like it’s working. Low light does not come on at all. Any suggestions????
     
  2. Feb 18, 2022 at 10:40 AM
    #2
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    Are you engaging 4wd low when stopped and in neutral after putting in 4wd high?
     
  3. Feb 18, 2022 at 11:01 AM
    #3
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    Honestly I hardly ever used low. I just tried that and yes, the low light will come on. Only passenger back tire spins
     
  4. Feb 18, 2022 at 11:34 AM
    #4
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    So you cannot get your front tires to engage with 4wd on either low or high? How are you checking?
     
  5. Feb 18, 2022 at 11:45 AM
    #5
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    Correct. Checking by engaging system on slippery drive, we have snow and ice here right now. Only back tires spinning. Just checked vacuum lines, found a couple with cracks. Temp fix to try. Still not working
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2022
  6. Feb 18, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #6
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    Do you know if the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front diff spins? If it does, I would suspect the front diff 4wd actuator.
     
  7. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:11 PM
    #7
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    I do not know. My plan is to get it up on jacks this weekend and see
     
  8. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:39 PM
    #8
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    You could probably easily check if the front 4wd driveshaft is working by having look underneath from aside while you pull it forward in 4 hi at 1-2 mph. Maybe even put a small 1" piece of box tape on the shaft to see if it's moving.

    Actually you could check it yourself that way by noting where it is, putting it in 4wd hi and moving it 1 foot to see if the tape moved out of position.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:53 PM
    #9
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    Great tip. I’ll give that a try
     
  10. Feb 18, 2022 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    Yes, it turns
     
  11. Feb 18, 2022 at 2:09 PM
    #11
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Working remotely from the local pub

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    It's probably the 4wd actuator on the front differential causing the issue. Someone brought this up before and got it to work by wacking it with a mallet. I can't confirm if that's the best of ideas, but people have taken them apart to clean out the corrosion and grime. Try a search here on 4wd issue and the front differential actuator to see if you can get more info on it.

    Usually this is a case of not using your 4wd often enough.
     
    Schcoman likes this.
  12. Feb 18, 2022 at 2:10 PM
    #12
    tdf4golf

    tdf4golf [OP] New Member

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    Great. Thanks or the idea. I appreciate your input and ideas
     
  13. Feb 18, 2022 at 2:40 PM
    #13
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    @Jack McCarthy has you headed in the right direction. This has been discussed a few times and there’s loads of good info in those threads.
    Also, FYI, there are no vacuum lines in the system. Those are simply vent/drain lines.

    welcome aboard!
     
    Aerindel likes this.
  14. Feb 19, 2022 at 6:40 AM
    #14
    Schcoman

    Schcoman From behind the Redwood Curtain

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    None
    Agree. Good luck
     

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