This is a question for my dads 2001 Tundra v8 Limited. He called me up and told me about some of the problems he was having with the 4 wheel drive on the truck. He said it would not engage when he tried to press the 4hi button? I don't know much about how the 4x4 works on these trucks but I am hoping someone on here does. The truck has 150000kms and recently had its transmission replaced (1-2months ago) and this is what was happening before the tranny went. He brought the truckin thinking there was something wrong with the electrical on the 4 wheel drive but was soon to figure out after the great toyota service techs sent him on his way that it was that his tranny blew. Well I hope someone on here can enlighten us and help us diagnose the problem before we spend more hours and money at the Dealer.

 

Sorry about that. I was hoping you would get advice in the other forum.

 

You can try asking the fine folks at www.tundrasolutions.com too, hope they can help ya out!

 

Tranny or Transfer Case ever replaced? Perhaps the tranny wasn't placed together back correctly. As you know the transfer case is simply a band (either belt or probably in this case a chain) in which the output shaft of the transmission has a gear with this band going to another gear down in the transfer case. From the case, two output shafts are what are driven, and the axles link up to your front and rear differentials. What's happening in your case is when the 4Hi is pressed, the front output shaft is not engaged.

Anyways, enough of the lesson, but my first question is, did something bind in the transfer case and that's what caused the tranny to blow? In regards to proper diagnosis, toyota has a set proceedure and will generally show up on a scan tool when you press the 4hi button, either an acutator is not engaging, or whatever it maybe. I'm surprised a tech didn't pinpoint the item not being activated when the button is pressed.

 

Thanks for the input. I should have just asked on here the first time this was happening. My dad brought the truck in a month ago to get this 4 wheel drive issue checked out and they ended up just sending him on his way with a "just monitor this problem and if it happens again let us know". He ends up driving home (1hr away) and it happened again but also the tranny starts acting up also. This was about 20000km after the tranny fluid was changed. So he ends up having to get the truck towed back to the dealer and the new diagnosis was that the transmission was shot.....so 5000 dollars later he drives the truck off the lot and all is ok. Until last week when he notices the tranny fluid is low and brings it back to figure out why in 2 weeks the level would drop so much. They top it up and say its nothing to worry about. So this last weekend the 4 wheel drive won't kick in so he brings it in again tonight to get looked at and they now say that the Actuaor on the Front Differential needs to be replaced and also the Front Transfer Case Output Seal. Am I wrong to be mad that they should have pin pointed this the first time the truck was brought in? Do you think that this would have anything to do with the tranny problems? Is this another dealer horror story to add to the list?
Anyone have to replace these parts before? Is it a big job? I am going to suggest that my dad steers away from the Stealer since they have ony been able to fix the buldge in my dads wallet and not the truck. Or should I just fight with the dealer to fix this since they have soaked him for so much already?

 

I hate to be the breaker of bad news, but it almost sounds like the mechanic messed up in placing the output axle back into the transfer case because generally, those seals don't have issues, unless you don't remove or install the axle back properly.

Also, toyota warranties the powertrain system for 5 years also and it almost sounds like you should of had it replaced under warranty. I don't know what 150K miles translates to miles wise, but if it's under 60K it still in warranty period in the US.

http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/t...cGFnZT0x&p_li=

 

So they would have messed with the part in question when the tranny was fixed? Should I be fighting to get the dealer to pay for their mistake? or will they admit to it? Sucks because they said it would be 500 plus to fix. Thanks for the help, are you a mechanic or just know some s$%#?

 

I don't know about being "some s$%#"...hehe, I don't even know what the curse word is supposed to be ...lol, I'm in an auto tech program at a local community college that is sponsored by Toyota, PATC, and the Central Valley New Car dealers association. For the most part though, all our vehicles that we have to practice on (when not working with walk-ins) are all Toyotas from Prius, to Corolla, to Avalon, to 4Runner, to Tundra. If you interested, you might wanna check out Toyota's T-ten Program, they may offer it in Canada.


Now in regards to your question, it will be kinda hard to prove anything. I can't really advise you at this point, but I do recommend find another reputable shop. I guess the mechanic could of noticed it while placing the tranny back into place, I mean you'd have to remove the propeller shafts to get the tranny out, but why would the seal leak, I mean those seals are held well in place off the transfer case; it's seals like rear axle seals that you have to be very sensistive to. Did you yourself confirm that it is leaking there? Look underneath your dad's truck when you get a chance and look at the front propeller shaft at the connection on the front of the transfer case. Do you see a leak or even a good oil+dirt buildup?

If a second opinion reveals that prior work was done incorrectly, at least here in america, if you have it documented as such, sometimes you can get the prior dealership to pay for your repaires.