Fwd Not Engaging
Louzbrews
11-24-2003, 01:54 PM
My 92 runner fwd will not engage. I've got auto hus with a gear shift for the FWD. I hear the normal electrical click when I shift to FWD but the FWD indicator light doesn't come on and the front wheels don't spin .Is there a simple fix .....electrical or vacuum line maybe?
TRDCivicCrusher
12-05-2003, 10:39 PM
This just barely happened to my 1994 4Runner. The problem is...and write this down so you can order the part.....
The grounding switch for the transfer case.
In order for the front diferential to lock, the transfer case must be given power to engage the 4WD. The problem is, a switch (it actually looks like a spark plug. It has a spring and ball-bearing on one end and a two prong pigtail sensor on the other) that grounds the power so that the transfer is engaged has gone bad. The power will try to go thru the switch but won't ground, so nothing will lock. Your gearshift can be in the 4Hi or 4Lo position all day long, but you're not in 4WD. I recently got stuck in the sand because of this. The solution is ordering the above mentioned part. It costs $40.37 from Toyota. It also only takes about 10 minutes to install FOR AN AMATEUR. Make sure you have a large crescent wrench. Under the car, just back from the front axel, DEAD Center, you'll see a sensor going into a part that looks like a bolt. Unplug the sensor, unscrew the grounding switch (careful! It leaks a little gear fluid!) and screw the new one in. Plug the sensor back in and hit the dirt! It was so easy to do, but such a major problem for us 4-wheelers. Hope that helps! If you need to check to make sure it worked either disconnect the back drive train and then drive it in 4 wheel (the front will pull. This takes unscrewing 4 bolts), or put it on a lift, and pop it in 4 wheel. All wheels should spin. Have fun!
The grounding switch for the transfer case.
In order for the front diferential to lock, the transfer case must be given power to engage the 4WD. The problem is, a switch (it actually looks like a spark plug. It has a spring and ball-bearing on one end and a two prong pigtail sensor on the other) that grounds the power so that the transfer is engaged has gone bad. The power will try to go thru the switch but won't ground, so nothing will lock. Your gearshift can be in the 4Hi or 4Lo position all day long, but you're not in 4WD. I recently got stuck in the sand because of this. The solution is ordering the above mentioned part. It costs $40.37 from Toyota. It also only takes about 10 minutes to install FOR AN AMATEUR. Make sure you have a large crescent wrench. Under the car, just back from the front axel, DEAD Center, you'll see a sensor going into a part that looks like a bolt. Unplug the sensor, unscrew the grounding switch (careful! It leaks a little gear fluid!) and screw the new one in. Plug the sensor back in and hit the dirt! It was so easy to do, but such a major problem for us 4-wheelers. Hope that helps! If you need to check to make sure it worked either disconnect the back drive train and then drive it in 4 wheel (the front will pull. This takes unscrewing 4 bolts), or put it on a lift, and pop it in 4 wheel. All wheels should spin. Have fun!
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