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14 not going from 4wd to 2wd...actuator?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Tifford, Mar 16, 2019.

  1. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:15 AM
    #1
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    I turn the knob to go to 4wd and it does just fine.

    When I turn the knob to go back to 2wd it doesnt work. The 4wd light on the dash blinks forever.

    It's not until I slow right down and make a hard right or left turn that the truck goes back into 2wd.

    Do you think it is the actuator motor?

    Anyone have a part number or estimated cost of the actuator?
     
  2. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:22 AM
    #2
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Do u engage it monthly? Sometimes it takes a bit for it to be lined up too.
     
    NewImprovedRon and 15whtrd like this.
  3. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:22 AM
    #3
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Have you had the fluid changed in the transfer case?

    The reason I ask I experienced a similar issue after changing the oil. I went off an old thread here, 2nd generation transfer cases take the same oil as the front and rear differentials. So I used that write up. This was causing me to have the same symptoms as you. I found out that they use a different transfer case on the 2014 and up tundras. The new transfer case is require W 75. I switched out to the proper oil now my transfer case works flawlessly in and out of four-wheel-drive.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2019
  4. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:49 AM
    #4
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    I engage it about every day in the winter. I live at the end of a half miles dirt road that is not maintained by the state. Here in central NY we get a lot of snow. In the spring there's the mud to contend with so I use it a lot. About the summer is the only time the 4wd takes a break.
     
  5. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:52 AM
    #5
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    Wow, I did a bunch of searches and never came up with what you suggested. I will make sure it's done soon, as I haven't done it yet. I will also make sure it 75w. Thank you.
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #6
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Did you buy the truck used?
     
  7. Mar 16, 2019 at 7:57 AM
    #7
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    I've done all that you suggested and the only thing that
    Ive done everything possible and only hard turns will make it go back to 2wd. I'll start by changing the oil in the transfer case.
     
  8. Mar 16, 2019 at 8:01 AM
    #8
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    Nope. I bought it new in 2014 with next to 0 miles on it.

    This has been happening for a while. With the house recently paid off I figured I'd spend some freed up money on the truck. I can get it to go back to 2wd but I have to slow down to about 2mph and turn the steering wheel hard left or hard right and then it will go back to 2wd.
     
  9. Mar 16, 2019 at 8:06 AM
    #9
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    That’s exactly what mine was doing with the wrong oil in it. You’re having similar symptoms without ever touching it. That oil I mentioned is quite expensive. But if you’ve never done it it’s worth a shot. I went with Ravenol w75 it is somewhat debatable if it’s completely up to spec with the Toyota branded oil. It’s also much less expensive. But so far it’s working for me. Fingers crossed.
     
  10. Mar 16, 2019 at 8:35 AM
    #10
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    I have been using the Ravenol comparable 75w oil now for something like 4k miles/months with NO issues.

    I researched like crazy and decided to try the Ravenol. Your tcase, your decision though.
     
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  11. Mar 16, 2019 at 9:29 AM
    #11
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    I will try the ravenol w75 first and I'll report back.
     
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  12. Mar 20, 2019 at 3:43 PM
    #12
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    Got the Ravenol 75W in the mail today. I'm a mostly do it myself type of guy and I have an awful lot of tools BUT based on some posts I've researched and read I'm going to have a shop that I trust change it out the first time. I've seen some guys have trouble with a bolt or two.

    I have impact wrenches (some good and some cheap) and fairly good air compressors but I'm going to let a professional do it.
     
    Watt maker likes this.
  13. Mar 20, 2019 at 6:19 PM
    #13
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    Pretty much the go to for ANY drain fill.

    If you can fill it, don't drain it!
     
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  14. Mar 20, 2019 at 7:04 PM
    #14
    tacomawv

    tacomawv New Member

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    I am going to be changing my transfer case oil some time this week. I am going with the ravenol 75w I am glad to here that it is working out. One thing I noticed is the transfer case does not have 24 mm bolts. I think that is the size.. 20 something. The plugs use a 1/2 inch extension. Does anyone else have these. I have the same truck as the OP. 2014 SR.
     
  15. Mar 21, 2019 at 7:48 AM
    #15
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    This morning I had a garage that I trust change it for me.

    I found a 1/4 mile gravel road and drove on it. Same thing so far. Has no issue going into 4wd. It will not go back into 2wd unless one of two things happen.....either A. a hard turn or B. I shut the truck off and start it up again.

    I'll let the truck sit for a while and I'll see if more dirt road driving will cure it with the new oil in it.
     
  16. Mar 24, 2019 at 6:20 AM
    #16
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    Truck still does not go from 4wd to 2wd.

    I've had numerous chances to drive the truck. Bottom line is that the oil change did not help the truck change from 4wd back to 2wd.
     
  17. Mar 24, 2019 at 1:12 PM
    #17
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    The 1/2 mile dirt road to my house has a few pot holes that get filled with water as the snow melts and as the rain comes down. A few times I run the risk of being late for work so while I don't treat it like a Baja, I do some spirited driving.
    As I understand, the newer actuatorstuff have a vent hole in them for some reason. Perhaps road rain and the dirt road did them in. The salt up here in central NY I'm sure has a hand in it.
    If the actuators are not all that much for the 2014 Tundra AND you don't have to open the transfer case then I'd like to try and replace the actuator. I'm hesitant though as I'm not sure which one to buy online. I looked at 2 from a Web site and both were just over a 100 dollars which isn't bad but they looked slightly different. I haven't gone to a dealer yet b/c the ones we have around here try to rip you off for as much as they can.
     
  18. Apr 6, 2019 at 11:13 PM
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    matrdguy

    matrdguy New Member

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    I had this exact same issue... finally took it to Toyota ( with a SM that I trusted).... he told me the issue was in Transmission...
    something P E A D L ( I cant remember cause I'm an Ol Bastard), but the receipts are in my sons truck...needless to say it was a $ 1600.00 repair ( they kept the truck for a few days).. safe to drive in 2 wd
    I will get info as soon as I can and post it
     
  19. Apr 7, 2019 at 3:04 AM
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    plumber802

    plumber802 New Member

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    Ouch! Did the repair have anything to do with salt/corrosion?
     
  20. Apr 7, 2019 at 3:17 AM
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    matrdguy

    matrdguy New Member

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    I dont think so, but one of the cross bolts snapped the stud it was attached to after overnight soak of penetrating oil..tech said he could have snapped it off with his fingers...they had to drill it out
     
  21. Mar 23, 2021 at 11:24 AM
    #21
    Tifford

    Tifford [OP] New Member

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    Good news sort of:
    I've been almost two months in the hospital with Covid. In February I started driving my truck again. For some reason going from 4wd back to 2wd is no longer an issue.

    I know this rarely happens but the issue cleared itself up. I use 4wd to get back close to the main road and about 50 yards from the main road I switch it back to 2wd since that area is flat with just a few pot holes.

    Maybe the pot holes worked something loose that was preventing the electric motor from working?
    Maybe the fluid change finally kicked in and made the electric motor work?

    I don't know the cause but I'm glad it's working now. From about 40,000 miles to about 113,000 miles it never worked the way it should have. Keeping fingers crossed, the truck now has 116,000 miles and the 4wd works.
     
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  22. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:33 AM
    #22
    ifithaswheels

    ifithaswheels New Member

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    I too have had actuator issues, it flashes 4wd then beeps but won’t go in. Old service records indicate 75w-90
    I got some straight 75w today and will swap it out soon. how many if any have swapped out the oil to straight 75 and then had No issues,?
     
  23. Aug 2, 2022 at 4:34 AM
    #23
    ifithaswheels

    ifithaswheels New Member

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    Mine is a 2015 model 5.7
     

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