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Solved - 4hi Light blinking, won't "disengage" 4hi and 4low work fine

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by lsaami, Oct 3, 2018.

  1. Oct 18, 2018 at 2:37 PM
    #61
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Update day!

    I messed with it again today and have come to the conclusion that the ADD actuator motor is working, but the gears inside are stripped out. I can't actually find out because the screws holding to the plastic cover on are stripped out. I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy a new actuator. Looks like a royal PITA to get it out of there so maybe I'll have it with the truck when I bring it in and the dealership will install it for me since the'll have the entire front drivetrain apart anyway.
     
  2. Oct 18, 2018 at 3:37 PM
    #62
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Can you just get a stripped screw remover and open it? I have one but forgot what it's called.
     
  3. Oct 18, 2018 at 3:46 PM
    #63
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Could, but there's no room to get at it straight. It's the only other thing that could be wrong since the actuator motor is working.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2018 at 5:24 PM
    #64
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    The front ADD actuator itself is only 4 bolts on the back side of the ADD tube. Sealed with black gasket maker. For the life of me though I can't remember what it looks like under there and if the bolts are accessible above the cross member. If you can, I'd pull the 4 bolts and remove the actuator. If you keep the electric harness attached, you can have someone else try to enable/disable 4wd to see if the fork in the ADD slides back and forth. If it doesn't, definitely your culprit.

    upload_2018-10-18_17-24-38.jpg

    EZ-Out extractors. Every home garage should have a set!
     
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  5. Oct 18, 2018 at 5:28 PM
    #65
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    yep. easy outs are pretty great.

    I looked at that, and the bottom two i could get at, but the only access to the top ones is between the actuator and the transmission bell housing. it's a squeeze. I didn't feel like messing with it tonight when I have homework to attend to. at this point it has to be the actuator gears because I can hear the ADD actuator motor working, and it isn't disengaging the front diff.
     
  6. Oct 18, 2018 at 5:29 PM
    #66
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    This is the fork i'm referring to. It slides the sleeve laterally over the clutch hub to engage the front diff.


    upload_2018-10-18_17-28-16.jpg
     
  7. Oct 18, 2018 at 5:32 PM
    #67
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    One other thing I just thought of. If you jack up the front of the truck, rotate the driver front tire in the forward direction. If the passenger side tire moves in the reverse direction, the ADD actuator did not disengage. If the passenger tire doesn't move at all, the ADD is disengaged.
     
    T-Rex266 and lsaami[OP] like this.
  8. Oct 18, 2018 at 5:35 PM
    #68
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    that's exactly what I did. that's how I know it isn't disengaging. I actually had to hold the front shaft instead and have my brother turn one wheel though since it'll just turn the easiest of the two when the ADD is engaged.


    On the bright side I now fully understand how the 4x4 systems on these trucks work! :D:bananadead:
     
  9. Oct 18, 2018 at 6:33 PM
    #69
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Always gotta look at the bright side! Speaking of homework, I gotta stop procrastinating and write this paper for intro to engineering. Boooo.
     
    lsaami[OP] likes this.
  10. Oct 21, 2018 at 4:27 PM
    #70
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Axle actuator came in the mail so I thought I’d be brave and try replacing it. What a pain! It BARELY squeazes out with the steering rack, crossmember, power steering lines, add transmission belhousing in the way. What a nightmare.

    But I got it replaced! And it was the issue! No more blinking light.

    Thanks for all the help everyone!
     
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  11. Oct 21, 2018 at 4:32 PM
    #71
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Success!!!
     
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  12. Oct 21, 2018 at 4:41 PM
    #72
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Did you get any pics?
     
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  13. Oct 21, 2018 at 4:47 PM
    #73
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    I didn’t, sorry. It’s dark out now, but I’m going to call the dealership in the morning and if I can bring it in tomorrow I’ll take a few before I do that.
     
  14. Oct 21, 2018 at 4:58 PM
    #74
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    So happy this thread actually went somewhere and there was a conclusion. Good job! Glad it all worked out for you.
     
  15. Oct 21, 2018 at 5:18 PM
    #75
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Thanks! Yeah nothing worse than leaving everyone hanging. That makes this thread useless to anyone else who tries to research this stuff.
     
  16. Oct 22, 2018 at 8:15 AM
    #76
    jberry813

    jberry813 The Mad Scientist Staff Member

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    You are now the resident expert for first gens now. Use your superpower for good, not evil.
     
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  17. Oct 22, 2018 at 8:17 AM
    #77
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    haha not quite. Thanks for all your help.
     
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  18. Oct 22, 2018 at 9:56 AM
    #78
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    Hell, I'm coming to you if my 4wd ever acts up. :help:
     
  19. Oct 22, 2018 at 10:07 AM
    #79
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Let hope it doesn’t. ;)
     
  20. Oct 22, 2018 at 11:48 AM
    #80
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    Thanks!

    Also if anyone wants to stick with the build I'm going to keep my build thread updated (sneak peak, The Tundra is getting a recall inspection tomorrow evening).

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-1100-tundra-build.32740/
     
  21. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:12 PM
    #81
    Mitstrick

    Mitstrick New Member

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    Howdy! I’m having the same problem with my 03. And have done most of the trouble shooting that you did. Can you send me a link to the Axle Actuator that you purchased?
     
  22. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:14 PM
    #82
    Mitstrick

    Mitstrick New Member

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    I’m currently only getting about 13MPH and I’m wondering if this is the problem.

    I used to get between 15 and 19.
     
  23. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:28 PM
    #83
    lsaami

    lsaami [OP] Let ‘er buck

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    I got the rock auto special. I guess I can’t link it, but here’s the model number.

    CBD7E634-5D90-43B4-8E43-EE6DD49F902D.jpg
     
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  24. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:39 PM
    #84
    Mitstrick

    Mitstrick New Member

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    Perfect! Thank you!
     
  25. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:49 PM
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    WNY PAT

    WNY PAT New Member

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    Nice work, Isaami!
     
  26. Jan 5, 2020 at 2:50 AM
    #86
    Aerindel

    Aerindel New Member

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    13MPG is pretty much what we all get. 15-19....thats hard to believe.
     
  27. Jan 5, 2020 at 6:05 AM
    #87
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. I’m 11-13 max city and 17-18 max on pure highway drives.
     
  28. Feb 24, 2021 at 4:44 PM
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    ADuv

    ADuv New Member

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    For those that followed this thread... my situation was an unfortunate situation where I tried to get 4LO engaged (correctly... stopped and in neutral) and that didn't work, my vehicle (2010 Sequoia) stayed in 4HI. Went about business in 4HI, but 4LO had started flashing (4WD light unlit). Nothing else lit or flashing dash-wise other than the blinking 4LO. It was obvious the vehicle was still in 4HI. 2WD/4H/4LO switch was making no changes. In driveway, ears open, not a click or clunk or relay sound at all. Nothing else at all. Did all the hokey-pokey of the N to R to D in-place and slightly rocking between the last 18 combinations. Battery disconnected (cleaned terminals and studs in that state). Nothing new. It sat in my garage overnight. Went out, did the actuator smack as described by @jberry813 . (I had the switch in the 4HI position)... and started it up. Dash showed me in 4HI. 4 LO unlit, no flashing. Since then, which admittedly was just hours ago, it worked perfectly. So. thank you jberry813. I understand this may be temporary, but I've got my target for the issue and the immediate remedy! Good on you all!
     
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  29. Sep 9, 2022 at 7:05 PM
    #89
    Elias Jacobusse

    Elias Jacobusse New Member

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    Alright Guys sounds like you could help me. I have a 2001 tundra limited and I went to start it up yesterday and the 4hi and 4lo dash lights were blinking. I haven't used my 4 wheel drive since probably last winter so I don't really know why this came up all of a sudden. I am not afraid to tackle it but kind of clueless on how. Currently it won't shift into 4hi or 4lo and the lights just continue to blink. Also for as long as I have had it, it never shifted into 4lo but I never really cared that much. Is it alright to drive it how it is?

    I would really appreciate some feedback.

    Thanks
     
  30. Jan 6, 2024 at 9:21 AM
    #90
    normajean

    normajean New Member

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    For those coming to to this thread for answers like I was today.... I solved my 4hi/lo issue on my 2000 Tundra, where the lights were blinking in the dash and the truck wouldn't engage into 4wd (stuck in 2wd). I opened up the actuator attached to the transfer case and cleaned the contacts. Immediate success. 15 min fix. No parts needed. This YT video is what helped me. Hope this helps!!


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmuEVv1neVQ
     
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