Stuck in 4x4 low

I am sure this has been brought up before, but I am need some help. I have a 2005 tacoma I parked in last a few weeks ago and it was left in 4low. Yesterday I started the truck to move it realized it was in 4 low and turn the switch back to 2wd the truck started beeping like it was going to go into 2wd but it would. the 4x4 light stayed on and the 4low light just blinks. I did roll the truck backwards and forwards a few times with no luck, i did also drive it down the street... low light just beeped blinking ... any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Try putting it in neutral than turning the dial? Do you have the rear diff locked?

 

did you put it in neutral before you tried to shift into 2wd?

 

Neutral to go between 4H and 4L. It can be in gear to go from 4h to 2wd.

 

I've found it best not to try to go straight from 4lo to 2hi. You're asking the transfer case to do 2 things at once. Having a hard time getting out of 4lo is common with any 4X4. I find it easier to shift to 4hi 1st. If 4lo does not disengage, put it in reverse and back up 10-15' with it in 4lo then go forward 10-15' before shifting back to 4hi. If it does not shift to 4hi repeat until it does. It may take several cycles. Once in 4hi drive off then shift into 2hi and let it shift on the fly.

 

The beeping and flashing are the trucksnindication that’s it’s not safe to make the shift. Very common with these. What the others stated above is right on. Just have to find that combination that allows it to change. Good luck.

 

Yes I have the truck in neutral, it is a 6 speed manual truck I will try it a few move time

 

No luck , I am guessing the tcase stuck in low maybe time for a new actuator

 

This same thing happened to a Yukon I owned, and it required a new transfer case to solve. I’ll cross my fingers

 

Also make sure the clutch pedal is all the way to the floor. All the way.

Did I mention that the clutch pedal needs to be depressed all the way?

Also if the actuator is frozen, you can pull the actuator and try and shift it manually by moving the now-exposed shift rod.

 

Yes, the clutch needs to be all the way to the floor.

 

Long shot but could also be the clutch switch is buggered up and not sending the correct signal to the 4wd ECU that the clutch is engaged.

Otherwise a good number of people have had issues with the actuator.

 

This is disappointing. Guess my next vehicle will be an AWD.

 

Try engaging the parking brake. I had a similar problem once, and engaging the parking brake solved it. Sounds goofy, but I'm not kidding - it worked. Good luck!

 

You have to put the clutch alllllll the way to the floor, to touch the clutch safety sensor...

 

Tap the actuator with a rubber mallet while someone turns the switch

 

Good to make your future choices based on a truck that was 13 yo at the time. And unknown to us was mileage and use when it had the problem.

Ridgeline for you!

In the meantime, thanks for waking up a thread that ended 5 years ago.

 

Haha right? Makes me wonder if anyone actually used their 4LO. I was sitting in a McDonalds parking lot stuck in 4LO, and a halted task list that involved highway driving so I was kinda flustered. Thanks to everyone in this group for the otherwise undocumented suggestions! I will try them all today - in my driveway- with a beer in hand. Keeps the stress down a bit.
Thanks everyone - good group.

(wait…Ridgeline? Ew. I’d do a Ranger before that)

(ok I take back the “ew” - just saw a new Ridgeline this aft - I’d drive one)

 

Yay thanks everyone! I just towed the Amazon guy out of our lane way in 4LO. Went into LO easily and back into 4HI almost instantly. I had the clutch right to the mat, and did pull the parking brake up one click to activate the light. Not sure which action made it work flawlessly but it worked - flawlessly. Good group. Thanks so much.

 

Nice to hear your problem cleared! You came to the right place. I could add two tips: exercise the system a couple of times a month in the driveway by switching it from 2H to 4H and back again a couple of times. If you have snow or wet roads when you're driving along: select 4H and drive it a ways. I also occasionally shift to neutral and select 4L: but only when the truck is in my own driveway. I know.... but I have never needed it and don't fiddle/experiment with it when I'm out in the boonies and I'm off the main roads fishing or hunting on the Forest Service roads and open fire roads. Nothing ruins you're day faster/worse than a 15 mile trip at 10 mph in 4L back to civilization. I may need to use it some day, (4L) but until then I'm good.

Second tip is never shut off the truck when the system is in the process of making a change from 4L or 4H to 2H. (or vice versa) I was able to escape this error, but it took a while, and I think the episode hastened and completed my transition to turning my hair gray.