Having intermitent trouble engaging 4wd on the V-6 Auto Tacoma. Turning the knob often results in no action... no icon lights up on dash, no 4wd is engaged, no sound is made.

When the 4wd knob functions normally an initial "clicking" sound is heard somewhere in the dash board (perhaps behind the glove box), followed by the thud of axle engaging when the dash board 4x4 icon stops flashing.

When the 4wd switch doesn't function at all, no "clicking" sound is heard, no 4x4 icon lights on the dash, and of course no sound from axle either, because nothing is happening.

In order to use the 4wd right now I have to put the ignition in the accessory postion, (which flashes the 4x4 icon) and rotate with the 4wd knob while key is in accessory postion. This allows the "clicking" sound that I presume is a type of relay (?) and I'm able to get the truck into 4wd. Doing this procedure seems to "re-set" the 4wd system and it will disengage when turned back to 2wd. But more often than not it will not go back into 4wd as it should, and used to.

Any ideas? I'm thinking there is a defective relay control located in the dashboard area. But where? And more important can a dope like me find it :(. Thanks,

Having intermitent trouble engaging 4wd on the V-6 Auto Tacoma. Turning the knob often results in no action... no icon lights up on dash, no 4wd is engaged, no sound is made.

When the 4wd knob functions normally an initial "clicking" sound is heard somewhere in the dash board (perhaps behind the glove box), followed by the thud of axle engaging when the dash board 4x4 icon stops flashing.

When the 4wd switch doesn't function at all, no "clicking" sound is heard, no 4x4 icon lights on the dash, and of course no sound from axle either, because nothing is happening.

In order to use the 4wd right now I have to put the ignition in the accessory postion, (which flashes the 4x4 icon) and rotate with the 4wd knob while key is in accessory postion. This allows the "clicking" sound that I presume is a type of relay (?) and I'm able to get the truck into 4wd. Doing this procedure seems to "re-set" the 4wd system and it will disengage when turned back to 2wd. But more often than not it will not go back into 4wd as it should, and used to.

Any ideas? I'm thinking there is a defective relay control located in the dashboard area. But where? And more important can a dope like me find it :(. Thanks,

It's not a relay or anything like that. There is an actuator at he back of the transfer case and one on the front diff housing. Those will get water and dirt in them and cause problems like your discribing. Eventually it'll get to the point of not working at all. Another problem I've seen is the actual shift rail getting jammed inside the case or the gears that engage the planetary gear set can get jammed as well.

All of these were the reasons why I swapped in an FJ Cruiser Case into my Tacoma. It's fully manual and never has issues.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/awsumdc/building%20the%20BEAST/IMG_0728640x480.jpg

Thanks for the input aswumdc, really appreciate it! And cool looking gear shift set up too. Way over my head though. I had my mechanic ( not a Toyo dealer) look into my "funky 4wd", and diagnosed a faulty Actuator. Estimated at $400 to replace. Haven't had the service yet, but will. Thanks again for the reply!