Mashing the 4WD button or engaging low range on my '97 fails to supply power to the front wheels. The 4WD indicator light never comes on either. I unplugged and inspected the connector at the t-case. Looked OK. I reinserted the plug a dozen times or so to "polish" the contacts. No dice.

If I understand correctly, an electric motor on the t-case moves a fork to engage 4WD. With the engine off, ignition on, I don't hear any noise from the electric motor when I mash the 4WD button. Should this be my prime suspect or should I look at the front diff vaccuum hoses, actuator, etc. too? Is there a pin-out diagram for the electric motor connector? How about removal and troubleshoot procedures for the motor?

I long for the days of a lever-operated 4WD. I guess Toyota felt that was too barbaric for the soccer moms...

Thanks

My 97 has a stick shift lever to engage 4WD. I guess they figured the people who bought the plush Limited would require a push button rather than and lever. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, wish I could help you out.

I just had a problem with my 4wd not engaging and worked on it for while before I figured it out. I have a Tacoma but I found the systems to be pretty similar with the 4runner. Is your 4wd ADD or Manual hubs? Is your front diff actuator vaccum or electric? Do you have just a 4wd button or is it a button on the side of the 4wd lever?

He's got the electronic xfer case with the full time 4wd. Probably a solenoid went bad if it isn't something obvious like a fuse.

There wasn't full time 4wd offered on the 97 model year. As for pinouts I think your best bet is to buy the FSM, since I haven't seen one posted.

ADD, I believe it is vaccuum operated. The 4WD button is on the side of the high range/low range shifter.

The ADD seems to be a source of problems. Does incomplete engagment of ADD keep the 4WD computer from activating the electric motor on the t-case?

I'm not quite sure what you have but I think you may have a electric actuator if you have a button on the side of the lever. The easiest way to check is to see if you have a VSV controller in the engine bay. On my truck to see where the problem was I had the truck turned off and in 2wd. I then turned the front drive shaft by hand to make sure it turned. Then with the truck still off, I pulled the 4wd lever in the cab and the front drive shaft no longer rotated. That let me know the problem was not in the transfer case. Then I moved on to the front end. If you find out you have a vaccum actuator there is tons of testing to help narrow it down. You should need a voltmeter and a vaccum gun if it's vaccum opperated. I'm not too familiar with the electronic transfer but I learned tons about the front vaccum actuator. Here are some links for ya. Good Luck

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/add/
http://www.junglecode.com/toyota/tacoma/2003_fsm/
http://techinfo.toyota.com/
http://www.toyotaworld.com/
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/add/ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />