1990 Toyota 4runner wont shift into 4WD
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
1990 Toyota 4runner wont shift into 4WD
Hello everyone, new to the forum. I've got a manual trans 1990 4runner v6 3.0 200,000mi. I have owned it for 15+ years and have never used 4wd before. I decided I would give it a shot and test it out, but it will not shift into 4wd at all. from H2 to H4. the shifter has a bunch of play so i'm not sure if thats normal or not but I cannot figure out what it may be. Most information I have found about 4wd issues are about 4wd not engaging after shifting into it but I can't even shift in the first place. Vacum lines are good, I will do a second pass again tomorrow. Any suggestions or help is much appreciated!
Last edited by Homeslicee; 01-31-2021 at 07:36 PM.
#4
Registered User
The lever should pull straight back into 4 hi. Then a switch on the transfer case should energise a vacuum switching valve that shifts the ADD collar on the front differential.
The 4WD light on the dash will not illuminate until the ADD collar has actually shifted into engagement.
The 4WD light on the dash will not illuminate until the ADD collar has actually shifted into engagement.
#5
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Thread Starter
Thats the thing, my lever does not pull straight down into 4hi. I can't tell what position its in since there is decent play with the lever. Can it be stuck in h4? I can push the lever up towards 2 hi and also move it to the right towards 4 lo. but there are no lanes that the lever follows. its just free movement. i don't feel the lever making contact with anything in the transfer case. It's as if its in neutral.
Last edited by Homeslicee; 01-31-2021 at 08:01 PM.
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#10
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Thread Starter
opened up the shifters
So I took apart the shifters. It shifts! so im not sure why it was not grabbing the gears. maybe a spring issue? or the grime was lifting the knob high enough to not make contact with the gears? Sorry for massive pictures
removed shifters. very dirty in the transfer case shifter.
grime
removed cover on transfer case shifter
inside transfer case from shifter opening.
last mechanic left a bolt out and stuck at an angle.
Shifted into 4hi
shifted into 4lo
dirty transfer case shifter
spring under shifter cover
spring is slightly bent
removed shifters. very dirty in the transfer case shifter.
grime
removed cover on transfer case shifter
inside transfer case from shifter opening.
last mechanic left a bolt out and stuck at an angle.
Shifted into 4hi
shifted into 4lo
dirty transfer case shifter
spring under shifter cover
spring is slightly bent
#11
Registered User
There should be a bushing under the round ball part of the shifter. Order new ones for both the transmission and the transfer case from marlin crawler. Truck will shift like it’s brand new. No slop at all.
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millball (02-01-2021)
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Fixed!
Fixed! So Millball had it right, the shifter was reinstalled wrong. Took it apart cleaned it out put it back together making sure to shift it back and fourth between 2H and 4H in-between installation to make sure it was seated in the right spot as I tightened everything back up and put it back together. I forgot to take pictures of the shifters seated and installed I completely forgot at the moment. thanks so much for the info! I'm a complete noob when it comes to fixing cars it never crossed my mind to check the shifters lol
cleaned out transfer case shifter
Both shifter plates cleaned out
cleaned the shifter ends
cleaned the mounting area
replaced with stock bushing. Sadly I didn't receive the Marlin Crawler suggestion in time.
4WD shifts nicely! transmission shift is like butter now that it actually has a bushing.
cleaned out transfer case shifter
Both shifter plates cleaned out
cleaned the shifter ends
cleaned the mounting area
replaced with stock bushing. Sadly I didn't receive the Marlin Crawler suggestion in time.
4WD shifts nicely! transmission shift is like butter now that it actually has a bushing.
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5 Fists (02-01-2021)
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Homeslicee (02-01-2021)
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Homeslicee (02-01-2021)
#17
Glad you solved it and thank you for the update.
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