I have a 2002 4runner with 178,00 on it. I engaged 4wd about 4 days during a snowy/icy mix and later tried to disengage it but it just keeps blinking and wont disengage. Ive heard that cold weather can cause it not to click back over but I don't if there is any truth behind that. Ive tried the driving in reverse for a bit trick hoping it would work but to no avail. Ive tried coasting as well and switching between L & H but nothing seems to work. Ive also tried pressing the 4wd button again but it wont stop flashing. Ive read through all the other threads and posting, but nothing seems to match my issue exactly. Also when I turn left or right, there is definite pull from the front wheels. Ive even tried pulling the ECU & 4wd fuses because I was told that would reset the system and could work but it didn't. I don't want to cause any damage to my transmission. Someone please help. I don't have the money to get a new actuator.

 

I know you said you've read through all the other threads about this, but have you read through this one thread entirely? The info is very well documented just in that one thread. My posts begin on pg 11 here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/4...1/index11.html

Your situation is no different than many others that have posted before...especially mine. I have an '02 4Runner as well & was able to trace my problem down to a failed actuator motor. Rather than spend approx $2000 at the dealer to replace the actuator (they don't sell the act motor separately), I spent $60 at a junk yard for a used act motor. Took 5 mins to install. Now my t-case works like it's supposed to. Word to the wise, most junk yards will not separate the act motor from the tcase, simply because the tcase is useless w/o the motor to engage it. I lucked up when I got mine though...

Typically, the problem on an '02 is going to be one more of the following fail points - one or more of the switches located on the tcase itself have failed, the actuator has failed or the act motor has failed. Good luck.