4x4

So, for about a month now my 4x4 has been coming on by itself while driving. The first few times I figured it was the kids switching it on, but today I'm by myself. I turned into the grocery store and almost hit a car, because my 4x4 came on. Are there any other ways of switching it on besides manual turning the dial in the cab by the steering wheel? It also took me about 10 minutes to get it switched back off.

 

Welcome here! Might check for rodent damage on your wiring. Happens quite a bit. While looking check the cabin filter for evidence.

 

Is the knob still pointed towards 2wd When this happens?

 

How did you almost hit a car because 4x4 was engaged?

Definitely sounds like an electrical issue.

Have you verified it's actually engaging and not just turning on the dash indicator?

 

No the knob is always on 4H when it happens. Yes, it is still under warranty. Almost hit a car because the steering became stiff, and wouldn't allow full range.

 

Nothing electrical would turn that knob for you. Maybe you're bumping the knob yourself somehow?

 

I thought the same thing, but my knees/leg come no where near it. I've moved around every way I can think of, and don't come close to it. The only other thing I can think of is mistaking it for the A/C knob, but I wasn't doing anything while turning.

 

This is a very weird issue. Have you checked to make sure the switch has resistance when rotating from 2wd to 4H and doesn't just freely spin? I'm in agreement with above... there is nothing inside of this switch that will cause it to turn on its own. The only other reason if the switch isn't free spinning, is if something is hitting/rubbing or touching the switch.

 

If the knob is on the 4H setting then you put the truck in 4wd.... when you say it takes 10 min or so to get it back in 2wd it implies your turning the knob back to the 2wd setting to disengage

I am confused how anyone could think it's electronic? I have accidentally grabbed it when going for the AC, but I have since trained my muscle memory not to do that.

It's probably you. Put some double sided tape across it and leave it. I bet at some point you feel sticky fingers and realize what you almost turned.

 

Same. I assumed it was in 2WD setting but the truck engaging 4wd. If the knob is turning like normal, something has to make it move. I.E. accidently turning it.

The ~10 min to turn it off was probably either due to disengaging at a stop or the front wheels weren't straight.

 

Did you turn what you thought was the radio volume up/down prior to this happening? I've done it a few times.

 

I don’t think so. That knob doesn’t turn itself unless the damn truck is haunted LOLThe fact that it took him 10 minutes to get it out of 4 x 4 was probably operator error. You remember the sequence from your tundra days

 

I know I've found myself with my fingers on the 4wd knob by accident when I've meant to be adjusting something else.... don't recall what though.

 

I’ve had this same scenario happen on a new Silverado and it was the actuator on the front axle shorted internally

 

And your 4wd switch was in 4h position like OP’s?

 

The last 4 x 4 Silverado I was in had pushbutton four-wheel-drive. I could see how a short in that could cause 4H to come on. But not physically turning a knob like an our Tundras.

 

Yeah push button is one thing. Unless op has something different going on, sounds like the knob is accidentally turning and 4wd gets engaged.

not to be a jerk to anyone, but if the knob is in 4H then it’s a no brainer that it’s going in 4wd…assuming it engages fine.

 

Bottom line is Toyota could have very easily included a push tab on the knob to eliminate any simple mistakes. Yes, I know people should read the damn manual, about like reading a damn classic novel though. I can remember when they were like 15 pages.

 

Can’t disagree with that. But if we keep simplifying and dummy proofing everything, we’ll be sitting in autonomous cars and we’ll lose the driving experience.

 

Na didn’t read that far into the thread knobs don’t magically turn by themselves. The one I worked on was manual transfer case and it was the actuator on the front axle that was shorted internally.

 

Dog in the cab jumping around?

 

User error?

 

Yeah, they're dummy-proofed more than enough. I've never accidentally turned that dial. OP just needs to figure out at what point he's somehow turning it and change his habits. The answer isn't more nannying.

 

I mostly agree, however a push tab type switch would be ideal because vehicles are often driven by more than just one individual, especially commercially used vehicles.