[Tony Stallings]

I have an 06 Toyota Sequoia. When I press the four wheel drive or 4 low button nothing happens. I can hear the relay, but it's not engaging into 4 high or 4 low. I just bought the front diff actuator. I'm curious if it's the transfer case actuator. Like I said no lights no indication that it's even trying. Any help. Would be great. I guess I'm going to try to clean the contacts inside both and go from there.

 

[NeedsMoreTorque]

How many times have you tried it? Apparently, the actuators get sticky/particular if not activated regularly. So one of the good practices to have with this vehicle is to activate 4WD once a month just to exercise the activators. Unfortunately, the search engine here is not so great but you can search this site on Google with the special "in_url:" syntax like so:

actuators in_url:https://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/1gen-sequoia.69/

If you do that search, you'll get these results:

actuators in_url:https://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/1gen-sequoia.69/ - Google Search

One of the results here:

2002 Sequoia No 4WD, Blinking Orange Light, Actuator Issues?

Hi guys- Sorry in advance for a long post about my 4wd blinking orange light problem... I've been reading many posts on this wonderful site as well as others devoted to toyota trucks as I've got the blinking orange light - 4wd problem as well on my 2002 Sequoia SR5 that I've owned since...

www.tundrasolutions.com

As you can see, lots of discussion. I personally haven't run into this problem yet but have seen it mentioned fairly regularly so just trying to help with finding the information. Good luck!

 

[Tony Stallings]

Thank you very much for the reply. I took the cover off the transfer case actuator, and everything was corroded and rusted. I believe I found my problem. The vacuum tube came off the top it must have filled with water and completely destroyed the inner workings. I'm trying to find the motor and all the gears that go into that part of it. Instead of trying to replace the whole thing it's quite expensive. I just bought this truck I should have checked it before I purchased it. Now I know better.

 

[NeedsMoreTorque]

Thank you very much for the reply. I took the cover off the transfer case actuator, and everything was corroded and rusted.

You probably know but if not, the Tundras of roughly the same years as ours share the same/similar components. You maybe be able to find a wrecked Tundra at a u-pull or similar place and get the part. At least you'd be able to look it over that way. Also looks like there are some cheap options on eBay. From RockAuto.com, looks like part numbers are:

3641035092 or 3641035093

eBay has some parts claiming 3641035093 compatibility for $245 (buy it now, not auction). Claims two years warranty but comes from overseas so might not put much faith in that. But it seems like the parts inside aren't that complicated so maybe it's worth a gamble if you can't find a pulled part locally?

If you'd rather go OEM, at least eBay has some OEM parts at roughly 1/2 the price of direct from the dealer (seeing around $680 or so).

 

[NeedsMoreTorque]

Here is a rebuild thread for this over on another forum:

Toyota-4Runner.org

The Largest 4Runner Community in the World

www.toyota-4runner.org

Hopefully, you can clean yours up and rebuild it with any luck? Or is it too far gone?

 

[NeedsMoreTorque]

One more option on Amazon at $289:

Amazon.com: 141557 4WD 4-Wheel Drive Transfer Case Shift Actuator Motor fits 2000-2006 Tundra 2005-2017 Tacoma 2010-2017 4Runner Replaces 36410-34015 3641034015 36410-34010 36410-34011: Automotive

Buy 141557 4WD 4-Wheel Drive Transfer Case Shift Actuator Motor fits 2000-2006 Tundra 2005-2017 Tacoma 2010-2017 4Runner Replaces 36410-34015 3641034015 36410-34010 36410-34011: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Says compatible with Tundra in our years. I'd be surprised if not also compatible with Sequoia but maybe they did use different parts. Might be worth checking as much faster shipping from Amazon than the overseas shippers.

 

[Tony Stallings]

You probably know but if not, the Tundras of roughly the same years as ours share the same/similar components. You maybe be able to find a wrecked Tundra at a u-pull or similar place and get the part. At least you'd be able to look it over that way. Also looks like there are some cheap options on eBay. From RockAuto.com, looks like part numbers are:

3641035092 or 3641035093

eBay has some parts claiming 3641035093 compatibility for $245 (buy it now, not auction). Claims two years warranty but comes from overseas so might not put much faith in that. But it seems like the parts inside aren't that complicated so maybe it's worth a gamble if you can't find a pulled part locally?

If you'd rather go OEM, at least eBay has some OEM parts at roughly 1/2 the price of direct from the dealer (seeing around $680 or so).

Your the best! Thank you so much for all of the links. I'm going to start shopping around now. I don't blame you about the overseas parts. I figured I'd be spending between 4 and 800 to get the right stuff from Toyota. I really only need the electronics that are right inside the cover. I'm trying to find those parts. I'm going to try a few junk yards and go from there.

 

[bantley19]

Been there, done that! I have the exact same truck; this is the culprit in most cases, I removed the cover of the TC actuator and cleaned up the inside, you can see the corrosion in there doesn't allow the contacts to make the proper switches between gears. The "breather small hose" was missing and so water managed to get in there and corroded a main portion of the metal lining contacts, I bought and OEM from Toyota (pricey!! $875) and replaced it. It worked like brand new!!

 

[Rath718]

I had the same issues and found the vacuum line had becomes brittle and broke off also. I snipped the brittle end off and plugged it back in and it worked perfectly. I was going to remove and clean the weekend coming but I tested it everyday and it worked flawlessly so I left it alone. Anybody really knows what the purpose of the vacuum hose is? I’ve seen others say that it’s not really a vacuum hose and does nothing.

 

[Cajunman007]

I have an 06 Toyota Sequoia. When I press the four wheel drive or 4 low button nothing happens. I can hear the relay, but it's not engaging into 4 high or 4 low. I just bought the front diff actuator. I'm curious if it's the transfer case actuator. Like I said no lights no indication that it's even trying. Any help. Would be great. I guess I'm going to try to clean the contacts inside both and go from there.

Not sure if it's like the 1st Gen Tundra, but there is a 4wd cpu that was bad on mine. Changed it out with one from a junkyard and has worked ever since

 

[sarmajor]

Perhaps the hose that has broken and let the water in is a breather hose. I know that the Diff lock actuators in the 80 series Landcruiser have small breather hoses bundled in the wiring loom to stop them from filling with water. If they are breathers then they should be extended as high as practical.. My diff and transfer case breathers are extended as high up on the firewall as they can be and have small fuel filters fitted to keep the bugs out.

 

[TIC]

My understanding is the hose is just a breather, not a vacuum line. The hoses do come off, or break, allowing water to get in and corrode the motors, etc.

 

[SilverSasquatch]

The guy who runs Toyota Maintenance Channel on YouTube recently had a vehicle with a similar problem. So if you need a visual of what everyone is talking about, this video is pretty good.

 

[xsnrg06Limited]

My understanding is the hose is just a breather, not a vacuum line. The hoses do come off, or break, allowing water to get in and corrode the motors, etc.

I looked for a Toyota Part # for that formed hose, but found none. Probs gonna do that Fresh New Breather/Filter to firewall trick next time am doing the undercarriage lube and O2 Sensor Replace job. Access to top of Tranny is veeeery tight as anybody that even knows about this Hose Knows!

 

[sarmajor]

Easiest way to get better access to the top of the tranny for the breather tube is to support the rear of the gearbox on a jack and unbolt the rear transmission mount. Then just slowly lower the rear of the transmission while someone observes in the engine bay to make sure that nothing is strained or ripped off. Also keep an eye on the gear levers. Should be able to get enough space to get an arm up there then. In the 80 series the top of the motor hits the firewall before anything is stretched to much.

 

[xsnrg06Limited]

Easiest way to get better access to the top of the tranny for the breather tube is to support the rear of the gearbox on a jack and unbolt the rear transmission mount. Then just slowly lower the rear of the transmission while someone observes in the engine bay to make sure that nothing is strained or ripped off. Also keep an eye on the gear levers. Should be able to get enough space to get an arm up there then. In the 80 series the top of the motor hits the firewall before anything is stretched to much.

Thanks for that!
It now sounds like the obvious but my Loving To Learn self will take this Lesson with a Smile!
It will come in handy some day when more than the lower tip of that hose rots.
👍🍻

 

[Tony Stallings]

Hey guys, I have my new actuator. I have a question, do I have to remove the transfer case to put the new actuator in? It looks like I may have to but I'm going to take the bolts out and see what happens. My other plan was to take all the electronics from the new module and put it in my existing actuator. Any help would be great thanks guys