Actuator replacement

Iron Horse Herb · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2005, 04:50 PM

Took my 02 4x4 in because the 4 wd light was flashing when I took it out of 4 w high. Now let me back the story up a bit. Our last day of snow here in Northern Indiana I hit the 4 wd button and it woul not go in to 4wd. Hit the button again and it came out and I left it in 2 wd for the morning. That afternoon I put it into 4wd and it went in just like it should, then when I took it out I got the flashing light that says it is not all the way out I guessed. I posted the question on the TS forum and most said check to see it the motor would turn and nothing lodged in the way to keep it from moving. I then opened the motor case and pulled the gear out to inspect it and when I started to replace it I noticed it would have to be put back the exact way I removed it. Now I was hosed for sure, so I took the fuse out and forgot about it for now. later I took to the dealer to see what they would say about it. An hour later they told me the actuator assembly was bad and it would be $1789.95 to fix it. Someone on the forum had sort of the same problem and it was $400.00 to replace the drive motor.
Something doesn't sound right to me.

Any Suggestions?

iron Horse

dyogim · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2005, 05:01 PM

I bet you the majority of the cost is labor. Since, you have to remove the front diff out. I would look at toyota salvage yards for an actuator.

Mike Donofrio · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Horse Herb

Took my 02 4x4 in because the 4 wd light was flashing when I took it out of 4 w high. Now let me back the story up a bit. Our last day of snow here in Northern Indiana I hit the 4 wd button and it woul not go in to 4wd. Hit the button again and it came out and I left it in 2 wd for the morning. That afternoon I put it into 4wd and it went in just like it should, then when I took it out I got the flashing light that says it is not all the way out I guessed. I posted the question on the TS forum and most said check to see it the motor would turn and nothing lodged in the way to keep it from moving. I then opened the motor case and pulled the gear out to inspect it and when I started to replace it I noticed it would have to be put back the exact way I removed it. Now I was hosed for sure, so I took the fuse out and forgot about it for now. later I took to the dealer to see what they would say about it. An hour later they told me the actuator assembly was bad and it would be $1789.95 to fix it. Someone on the forum had sort of the same problem and it was $400.00 to replace the drive motor.
Something doesn't sound right to me.

Any Suggestions?

iron Horse

That price sounds a bit steep. Do you run your 4WD often? If not, it could just be some corrosion on the actuator and/or shift fork assy Dyogim's right--a new motor from a salvage yard CAN'T cost more than a few hundred dollars. My sig line has a PDF attached that can help you in removing the diff to replace the motor assy if you are a DIYer. It's real easy to do ;-)
Sometimes, when you show up to a dealer with things all taken apart, they charge you for their troubleshooting and a little 'extra'. Let us know how we can help, $1800--for anything short of a new diff--is a bit steep IMO...

RockyMtnRay · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Horse Herb

Took my 02 4x4 in because the 4 wd light was flashing when I took it out of 4 w high. Now let me back the story up a bit. Our last day of snow here in Northern Indiana I hit the 4 wd button and it woul not go in to 4wd. Hit the button again and it came out and I left it in 2 wd for the morning. That afternoon I put it into 4wd and it went in just like it should, then when I took it out I got the flashing light that says it is not all the way out I guessed. I posted the question on the TS forum and most said check to see it the motor would turn and nothing lodged in the way to keep it from moving. I then opened the motor case and pulled the gear out to inspect it and when I started to replace it I noticed it would have to be put back the exact way I removed it. Now I was hosed for sure, so I took the fuse out and forgot about it for now. later I took to the dealer to see what they would say about it. An hour later they told me the actuator assembly was bad and it would be $1789.95 to fix it. Someone on the forum had sort of the same problem and it was $400.00 to replace the drive motor.
Something doesn't sound right to me.

Any Suggestions?

iron Horse

If you haven't exceeded 60,000 miles, you should still be covered by the drivetrain warranty on this repair since the actuator is part of the drivetrain (5 years, 60000 miles warranty coverage).